Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants are well-designed with thick silicone shells designed to prevent leaking and rupture, but sometimes they do rupture or leak, whether as a result of sudden trauma, as during an automobile accident, as a result of the expected degradation of the materials, or even as a result of manufacturing anomalies resulting in premature failure of the shell. The signs of rupture are different depending on whether you have silicone or saline implants.

Saline is salt water, and if your implant leaks or ruptures, the body will absorb it. This means that if your saline implant leaks, your breast will visibly deflate. The rate of deflation depends on the rate of leakage, but if your saline breast implant begins to shrink, see Dr. Placik immediately to have the implant evaluated.

The silicone gel that fills the implant is a different form of the same material that makes up the shell. It is a biocompatible material, meaning that there are no known health effects associated with your body's exposure to it. However, it is not absorbable, like saline, so if your silicone implant ruptures, your breast will not deflate. Instead, the silicone will accumulate in the scar capsule your body develops around the implant. Sometimes, either you or Dr. Placik will notice the difference, but in many cases the only way to detect a ruptured silicone implant is with the use of an MRI, which is why regular MRIs are recommended for women with silicone implants.

If you suspect your implants have ruptured, there is no reason for panic, but you should arrange an appointment with Dr. Placik to have your implants evaluated to maintain their appearance.