Most women with breast implants eventually need one or more surgeries for routine implant replacement. There are several reasons, as listed below, why an implant may need to be removed. Often, but not always, women choose to have their implants replaced. Some women, however, choose not to have new implants placed when the old ones are removed. These women usually undergo additional cosmetic surgery (usually a breast lift) to improve the breast appearance and to avoid unacceptable dimpling or puckering of the breast after the implants are removed.
Common problems affecting women with breast implants include:
Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture is a tightening of the post-surgical scar around the breast implant. This tight scar can squeeze the implant, causing hardness, pain, distortion of the implant, rupture of the implant, and distortion of the breast. If a capsular contracture forms, a procedure can be performed to release or remove the tight capsule. You may also have your implant(s) replaced at the same time.
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Ripples and Wrinkles
Sometimes wrinkles or ripples in the implant show through the skin of the breast. It happens more often in women with thinner skin, less breast tissue, and saline implants, especially if the implants are underfilled. Careful surgical planning and technique can minimize but not entirely prevent this result. One solution we offer to improve wrinkles and ripples is to change the implant type and/or location.
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Calcium Deposits
Calcium deposits sometimes form within the capsule around the implant. These can be detected on mammograms. A radiologist experienced in reading images of implanted breasts will be able to distinguish these deposits from calcium located within the breast tissue itself, which may be concerning. A biopsy should be performed on any suspicious calcifications.
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Rupture
Older implants are susceptible to rupture, as are those that have undergone trauma such as chest injury from an automobile accident. Saline implant ruptures tend to be easy to detect, while silicone implant ruptures can go unnoticed if the silicone remains within the scar capsule around the implant. An MRI may be required for a diagnosis of silicone implant rupture. Silicone implant rupture often occurs without symptoms, but some patients experience lumps, pain, tingling, swelling, or change in implant size or shape.
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Infection
Infection is a risk of any surgery. Most infections resulting from surgery appear within a few days to a few weeks after the operation. However, infection is possible at any time.
Infections are harder to treat when an implant is present than in normal body tissues. If an infection doesn't respond to antibiotics, the implant will need to be removed. Once the infection has resolved and the tissues have healed, an implant can be replaced if the patient chooses.
In rare instances, women who have had breast implant surgery contract a life-threatening infection called Toxic Shock Syndrome. Symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome include sudden fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, dizziness, and/or a sunburn-like rash.
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Pain
Women may experience pain of varying duration and intensity following breast implant surgery. Pain sometimes depends on the size of the implant or whether the implants are placed under the muscle. Capsular contracture may also cause pain.
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Changes in Nipple and Breast Sensation
Breast and nipple sensitivity may increase or decrease after implant surgery, ranging from heightened sensitivity to complete loss of sensation. These changes are often temporary, but in some cases they are permanent. This may affect erotic response or the ability to nurse.
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Breast Growth with Age and Menopause
As their bodies change with age, some women may notice an increase in the size of their breasts, especially around the time of menopause. These women may be helped with explantation (removal of the breast implant), sometimes combined with a breast lift.
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Patient Education
Learn About Breast Implants
Learn about Breast Implant Care |
