What Do You Need To Know About Replacing A Ruptured Silicone Gel Implant?

Due to the importance our society places on breasts and the impact breasts can have on an individual’s self-esteem, a breast augmentation is one of the most frequently requested cosmetic surgery procedures. Although this is an incredibly safe surgery, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and complications prior to going forward with a breast augmentation in Toronto. For example, while rare, it is possible for silicone gel implants to rupture in which case they need to be replaced. The following is a guide of what to expect when replacing a ruptured silicone gel implant.

Why Do You Need To Replace A Ruptured Implant?

A rupture occurs when a small tear or hole appears in the outer shell of the breast implant. While ruptured saline implants immediately deflate as the saline leaks from the shell, silicone gel is much thicker and therefore tends to stay in place, which is referred to as an intracapsular rupture.

With the old-style previous generation of liquid silicone implants, a rupture could mean silicone would migrate, moving away from the breast and into the chest wall, armpit, arm or even abdomen, which is known as an extracapsular rupture. Silicone ruptures can be more difficult to detect because the breast will not deflate, however, over time, patients may notice a decrease in breast size or a change in the shape of the breast. As a screening tool, ultrasound is often used as the first test.  An MRI can be completed to confirm signs of a silicone gel rupture.

When Should You Replace A Ruptured Implant?

Upon detecting a rupture, it is important to remove and replace your implants in a timely manner, as leaking silicone can result in the development of additional scar tissue surrounding the implant and may cause you discomfort. Thus, while it is not an emergency procedure, it is not one which should be delayed as the implant needs to be removed. Luckily, in most cases, the recovery from this procedure is quite short and patients can resume work and other activities in as little as three to five days. As a preventative measure, it is advisable to remove and replace implants every fifteen to twenty years.

If you are interested in a breast augmentation procedure, it is important to be aware of all of the potential risks and considerations. During your initial consultation, Dr. Edelstein or Dr. Jindal, renowned breast augmentation plastic surgeons in Toronto, will take their time to inform you about the procedure and its associated risks and answer any questions that you have to be sure that you feel comfortable going forward with the procedure.