After breast augmentation, one of the potential complications that women should be aware of is the possibility of a rupture. Silicone breast implants can rupture due to a blow to the chest or other trauma. It is also possible for them to rupture 'silently,' without any apparent cause or outward changes in appearance.
While most women have no symptoms when a silicone implant ruptures, others report feeling tingling or burning in the affected breast, hard lumps around the implant, softening or hardening of the breast, or change in breast size and shape. Because the silicone leaks slowly from the implant, the patient may not even be aware that one of her implants has ruptured. Many surgeons now recommend that their patients receive periodic MRIs in order to check for a 'silent rupture' in their breast implants. A suspected rupture can also be confirmed through an ultrasound, mammogram, or CT scan of the breast.
While there is no evidence that a ruptured breast implant can cause serious, long-term health issues, it can change the shape and size of the breast, resulting in a need for revision surgery. In addition, as the silicone leaks into the tissue around the implant, it may cause inflammation or the formation of additional scar tissue, which can distort the breast shape and cause some discomfort.
If a silicone breast implant has ruptured, the implant will need to be removed. In most cases, it is simply replaced with a new implant. It is also possible to remove both of the implants if you have decided that you no longer wish to have implants. The surgery to remove or replace a breast implant is similar to the initial breast augmentation surgery.
Those considering breast augmentation should keep in mind that breast implants, whether silicone or saline-filled, are not guaranteed to last a lifetime. Many women will need breast surgery to replace their implants within ten to twenty years. This should be one consideration when you are weighing the risks and benefits of breast augmentation.
