Increasingly breaking news on breast implants are heard and even surely have heard from friends of yours.
In this article we will give you the keys to explore yourself, recognize the signs and symptoms and what to expect from the consultation with a plastic surgeon.
More and more women every year have breast implants, a recent study by the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SECPRE) estimates that about 18,000 to 19,000 women a year undergo breast augmentation.
And despite certain messages or misinformation you hear, implants are not for life, you need to change because time may alter or even broke them
An annual visit to your plastic surgeon is recommended to check the implant and check that there has been no change.
A break occurs when there is a crack in the implant shell. It can happen to weaken the outer layer of the implant over time, damage during operation if there is a defect in the implant or damage to the breast.
The first implants used have a very high rate of breakage as the shell layers were very thin. Currently the main producers of the prosthesis manufactured with several layers and breakage is rare.
Broken silicone implants can cause breast pain or change in the contour and shape of the breast. The spilled silicone does not cause breast, reproductive problems or connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis cancer.
When a breast augmentation is done, fibrous tissue (capsule) is formed around the implant. If the implant ruptures, it may not get to see because the silicone stays inside the capsule. This is called a silent rupture.
Sometimes the capsule swells and more scar tissue that may result forms:
- Pain or inflammation of the affected breast
- Change in the size or shape
- Nodes in the chest
- Hardening or softening of the affected breast
Breakage can be confirmed with an MRI.
If you have a rupture implant your plastic surgeon will recommend you to take it off and usually replaced with a new implant. If you decide you do not want another implant a breast lift (mastopexy) or corrective surgery to help maintain your chest with a good aesthetic appearance it may be necessary.
You must remember that: the implants do not last a lifetime
In USA is recommended a magnetic resonance at 3 years of breast implants and should be repeated every 2 years. While it is true that there are still studies to see if the benefits of a routine scan justify the cost. In Europe an MRI is recommended every 5 years.
First of all: if in doubt, talk to your plastic surgeon
Dra. Brianda Hurtado de Mendoza Garcia
Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
