What do you do if your breast implants rupture or deflate?

First, call Dr. Samaha at Boston Plastic Surgery!

If you have saline implants, you’re not in any danger, although it will certainly look and feel strange. If you have silicone implants, the only way to know if there is damage is by MRI.

Your breast implants may be under warranty, which helps with the cost of replacement.

Breast implant failure can be caused by a variety of problems. In some cases, the problem occurs when the implants are filled above or below the manufacturer’s recommended fill range. Other times, texturing of a saline implant can result in excessive wrinkling and premature wear, causing the implant to fail.

Sometimes the implant itself may have a defect in its valve or seam. Isolated sutures placed inside the pocket for implant positioning may also inadvertently wear and breach implant integrity over time.  Even regular wear and tear can cause breast implant deflation, and your lifestyle can also play a role in how long your breast implants will last.

A deflated implant can be safely and successfully removed and replaced surgically in a procedure similar to the original breast augmentation surgery. Typically your same breast augmentation incision is used to approach the deflated implant.

Recovery from breast implant repair surgery is usually easier than the original surgery, since the pectoralis muscle has already been stretched.