Breast Implant Leakage

One of the chief concerns with breast implants has to do with leakage. Firstly, it is vital to understand that breast augmentation with breast implants is not going to have a lifetime effect. Though the percentage of breast implant leakage is low it is vital that you are well informed about all the risks and complications associated with breast implants.

Implants are of two types: saline and silicone implants both of which are available at our Honolulu practice. The effects of breast implant leakage in saline and silicone implants are different and their symptoms and detection also differ.

Causes of Breast Implant Leakage

• Normal aging of the implant.
• Damage caused by surgical instruments.
• Improper and excessive handling of the implants during surgery.
• Damage caused to the implants during procedures to the breast, such as biopsies and fluid drainage
• Compression during a mammogram
• Stresses such as trauma or intense physical pressure
• Capsular contracture
• Under filling of saline-filled breast implants
• Placement through a belly button (umbilical) incision site because it involves too much handling of the implant.

Saline Breast Implant Leakage

Saline breast implants are essentially silicone pouches filled with saline solution quite like what occurs naturally in the human body. A saline breast implant will most probably be detected very soon as the appearance of the breast will become smaller rather quickly. The implant would be required to be removed and replaced. It is vital that you consult with your surgeon as soon as possible.

Silicone Breast Implant Leakage

A silicone breast implant leak may or may not be detected by the appearance of the breast as the leakage of the silicone gel may be slow. However such a leakage can be detected in an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or even in an X-ray. A silicone breast implant leakage may cause more problems than the saline implant simply because the human body and especially its immune system may be adversely affected by it. The silicone gel will break down in the body cells and travel in the body. The body produces antibodies against the silicon and also against the protein systems or organ systems in the body.

Can Breast Implant Leakage be prevented?

Since the causes of breast implant leakage are many it is fairly difficult to ensure that a situation of leakage does not arise. If you intend to get breasts implants it is important to realize that they will probably not be for life. On the other hand going to a surgeon with experience and expertise does help your case as then you don’t have to worry about the implant being handled incorrectly while it is being placed. Honolulu, Hawaii, is a great place to have cosmetic breast surgery at the hands of the best surgeons in the profession.

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Authored by: Michael Pasquale