Though rare, it is important for breast augmentation patients to understand that a number of causes may contribute to the rupture or leakage of their implants. At Summit Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, Matt Chhatre, M.D., F.A.C.S., provides detection and treatment in the instance of a ruptured breast implant, serving patients in Kansas City, Overland Park, Lee’s Summit and surrounding communities.

If you think you may be suffering from a ruptured breast implant, or would like to learn about Dr. Chhatre’s available breast augmentation services, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

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What To Look For

Rupture of a breast implant is most commonly caused by two culprits – trauma or injury, or a defective implant. Just as the benefits and risks of saline and silicone implants differ, so do the signs of rupture. A number of common symptoms are important to note and if you are experiencing these signs, it is important to seek professional help as soon as you can.

A ruptured saline implant may result in one or more of the following:

  • Sudden or obvious changes in size of the breast
  • Noticeable changes in the shape of the breast
  • “Deflating” or loss of volume of the breast

Saline implants deflate more noticeably as the liquid is absorbed by the body and expelled in the urine.

A ruptured silicone implant may result in one or more of the following:

  • Changes to the size or shape of the breast
  • Pain, swelling or tenderness at the surgical site
  • Burning or tingling sensations in the breast
  • Numbness of the breast or surrounding tissue

It is important to become familiar with the look, feel and sensation of your new breasts after tenderness has resolved and healing is complete. Report any changes, no matter how small they may seem, to your surgeon. While the rupture of saline implants result in more noticeable symptoms, silicone implants may suffer a “silent rupture,” devoid of obvious signs. Luckily, advancements in silicone technology mean that the chance of newly reported ruptures is nearly negligible.

Detection Of A Ruptured Breast Implant

If you think you may have a ruptured implant, it is important to meet with an experienced specialist as soon as possible. As a board certified surgeon, Dr. Chhatre is experienced in recognizing the signs of a ruptured implant and will begin with an initial exam to look for signs of leakage. An MRI may be called for if you have silicone implants, since it is more difficult to identify leakage.

If an implant is confirmed to have ruptured, the approach for removal will differ depending on the type of implant. All breast implants provided by our practice come with a lifetime warranty covered by the manufacturer, and in some cases the surgery needed to remove and replace the implant is covered as well, usually for a pre-outlined period of time.

Schedule An Appointment Today

At Summit Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, we understand that the rupture of a breast implant places a patient under a large amount of stress. We work quickly to address your concerns, while providing unparalleled service and care to meet your medical needs. To schedule an appointment or learn more about our available services, fill out our online contact form or call our office at (816) 347-0026.