Breast implants are designed to enhance the shape of a woman’s upper body. Implants can be many different shapes and sizes, and they can help boost your confidence. Patients can choose to have breast implants that are filled with silicone or saline.

Most patients don’t go into their breast augmentation surgery thinking that their breasts may rupture at some point, but it is something to be aware of and prepared for just in case it does happen. Breast implant rupture may be painful and could cause a change in the shape and contour of the breasts.

Silicone Rupture

With silicone gel-filled breast implants, an implant rupture is sometimes not noticeable because the silicone stays in the surrounding tissue. When this happens, the breasts stay the same shape, making the rupture hard to detect. This is called a silent rupture.

Saline Rupture

A saline rupture is much more noticeable because it alters the shape of the breast. The saline leaks out of the implant, making it deflate and flatten on that one side.

What Do I Do?

If you think your implant has ruptured, contact your doctor immediately. An MRI or ultrasound can detect whether or not you are experiencing a silent rupture. Once you have confirmed that you do, in fact, have a ruptured implant, it is important to decide what steps you want to take next. Patients can choose to remove the implants and get new implants inserted, or they can choose to take the implants out and not replace. Oftentimes, if patients choose to keep their implants out, then they will consider a breast lift.

It is important that you speak to your doctor about your symptoms and your decision going forward after a confirmed rupture. Contact Dr. D’Souza at Iconic Plastic Surgery by calling 760-637-5288.