All breast implants have outer shells made of solid silicone that can break or develop a rupture. Severe trauma, impact, or force can cause a rupture to occur. Car accidents, needle insertions during biopsies, and natural shell weakening with age are the most common causes for ruptures.

If you notice your implants giving you discomfort, this may be the sign of a rupture and you must consult a medical professional immediately.

How Do I Know If My Breast Implants Ruptured?

These are the most common symptoms that manifest when a breast implant ruptures:

  • Pain in the breast tissues
  • Soreness
  • Swelling
  • Lumps
  • Tenderness
  • Numbness
  • Hardening
  • Burning
  • Tingling

    • However, a silent rupture is also possible. In silent ruptures, the above symptoms might not occur due to the silicone getting stuck in the neighboring tissue.

    What Should I Do When My Breast Implants Rupture?

    When a rupture occurs, your doctor is your first point of contact. Ultrasounds or MRI scans are the go-to method of determining what happened to your implants. Note the events that occurred leading up to your discomfort and consult your doctor to weigh your options.

    Capsular contracture is the main thing doctors look for to initiate an implant removal. When an intra-capsular rupture occurs, the implant has ruptured inside the scar-tissue capsule that forms around the implant. An extra-capsular rupture is where the silicone has managed to break through the scar-tissue capsule that the body has made around the implant.

    When a rupture has been diagnosed, you may be able to opt for either corrective surgery or complete implant removal.

    Breast Implant Removal

    Breast implant removal, or an explant as it is popularly known, requires anesthesia. Dr. Rai will then create incisions to access your implants; these incisions are typically made along the original implant incision sites.

    Dr. Rai will remove the implant and tissue capsule through these incisions.

    Dr. Rai might recommend a breast lift in conjunction with the implant removal if your skin stretches. This will reshape your breasts, resize your areolae, and provide better support for your breasts while removing the implants.

    After the implant is removed, you will need to rest and recover for a time. Your breasts may take a while to return to their normal appearance.

    Find Out More Today

    Contact our office today if you feel that your breast implant or implants may have ruptured. You will be able to arrange a consultation for a breast explant procedure with Dr. Rai, a skilled and well-regarded surgeon.