How do breast implants rupture?

Breast implants used in modern day breast augmentation procedures are silicone shells which contain either saline or silicone gel inside of them. Once these implants have been inserted into a patient, it is normal and natural to witness the formation of scar tissue around the implant shell, which can cause the implant to deform slightly. In turn, this deformity can cause the implant wall to develop a fold, which will create stress along the shell where the fold exists. Over time, sometimes after many years, this stress on the silicone envelope can cause a crack to form, which as a result will weaken the structural integrity of the implant. Ultimately, this crack in the implant shell can extend all the way through the wall, causing the implant to deflate or rupture.

Generally, when a saline breast implant ruptures, all of the fluid contained within it will start to leak out causing the implant shell to collapse. As a result, the breast becomes significantly smaller, depending on the size of the implant. When a saline implant deflates, there is generally an obvious change in the size of the breast. Therefore, no special tests are necessary to diagnose a rupture of a saline implant.

The rupture and the deflation process with a silicone implant are quite different to the saline version. Once ruptured, the gel contained within a silicone implant will gradually work its way out of the ruptured shell, but the majority of the gel will stay inside of the scar capsule around the implant. As a result, the size of the breast in such a patient may not change much and this can therefore make the diagnosis of the rupture more difficult. In order to correctly diagnose such an event, the FDA recommends that patients who have silicone implants undergo an MRI scan three years after their surgery and every two years after that.

Bodybuilder Breast Implants OH - Do body builders require special techniques or implants when having breast augmentation?

Breast Implant Types - Why are there so many different kinds of breast implants?

Breast Implants Sizes - When selecting a breast implant, can a woman choose whatever size and shape that she wants?

Breast Augmentation Columbus - What is Breast Augmentation?

Columbus Breast Augmentation - How should you prepare for breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Augmentation in Columbus Ohio - How is a breast augmentation surgery performed?

Breast Implants Columbus - What are the possible immediate post-operative risks in breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Implants Columbus Ohio - What are the possible long term risks of breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Implants in Columbus Ohio - Do implants need to be changed every 10 years?

Breast Augmentation in Columbus - Can implants rupture during a mammogram?

Columbus Ohio Breast Augmentation - Can I have other operations at the same time as breast augmentation?

Breast Augmentation Procedure Columbus - How are breast implants inserted?

Breast Augmentation Procedure Columbus Ohio - How much swelling can be expected following breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Implant Complications Columbus - How do breast implants rupture?

Columbus Ohio Breast Implants - What is meant by the Rapid Recovery method?

Breast Implant Procedure Columbus - What is the "Band" or "Strap" that everyone talks about wearing after their operation?

Breast Implant Procedure Columbus Ohio - What is a drain and when is one used?

Breast Implant Columbus - What measures can be taken to avoid capsular contracture?

Breast Implant Care Columbus - Why must I have an adult stay with me the first night?

Breast Implants Silicone Columbus - Can I get silicone implants for my first breast augmentation?

Breast Augmentation Stretch Marks Columbus - Will I get stretch marks when I have my breast augmentation? Can I prevent them?

Smoking and breast augmentation OH - Will smoking affect my recovery from breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Implant with Silicone Gel - Is it possible for silicone gel to move outside of the implant pocket?

Before After Breast Augmentation - Is it necessary to massage my breasts after breast augmentation surgery?

Breast Implant Rupture - What will happen if one of my implants ruptures?

Types of Breast Implants Columbus - What is the difference between smooth and textured breast implants?