Women who want to enhance their breast profile or volume have two options at their disposal to achieve their goal: silicone implants and saline implants. Before selecting either of these, you should consider a number of factors. The most important factor you should reflect upon is the possible rupture of breast implants.
The risk of rupture is equal for both types of breast implants. A rupture can be triggered by a surgical fault, collision, accident, or exertion of extreme pressure on the breast. It is important to understand that when a breast implant ruptures, the consequences differ depending on the implant type.
Rupture of silicone gel breast implant
The rupture of a silicone gel implant is harder to notice because the shell holds the gel and doesn’t allow it to move to other regions of your body. When the tissue causing the implant traps the freed silicone, diagnosis of the rupture becomes a difficult task.
In simple words, rupture of a silicone gel breast implant is a “silent rupture.” In order to keep an eye on the overall health of your silicone gel breast implant, your plastic surgeon may recommend frequent MRI scans. Tiny pieces of the silicone set free from the implant site may also enter your lymph nodes, but they are not dangerous to your health.
When silicone gel leaks, it poses no known health complications in the short or long run. Studies have not yet established any connection between the rupture of silicone gel breast implant and breast cancer, reproductive health problems, or diseases like arthritis. However, when a silicone gel breast implant ruptures, you may experience pain in your breast or small changes in your breast outline or silhouette.
The ruptured implant can be removed with surgery, and if you wish, it can be replaced with a new implant. Sometimes an MRI scan detects a ruptured silicone breast implant when the patient doesn’t see or feel any symptoms. If this occurs with you, you and your plastic surgeon may analyze the risks and benefits of removing the implant or keeping it in place.
Rupture of saline implant
Diagnosis of rupture in a saline breast implant is very easy because it is clearly noticeable. When a saline implant ruptures, your breast will collapse right away or appear as if it has been torn or broken up. Saline implant rupture is highly expressive, and when it occurs, your body absorbs the safe, antiseptic saline solution that leaks from the implant site.
The good news is that the leaked solution absorbed by your body is salt water, and it doesn’t lead to any health complications; however, you will need to get the silicone shell removed through another surgical procedure. You can replace the ruptured implant with a new one.
In order to reduce the risk of breast implant rupture, you should only go to an experienced, qualified, and skilled plastic surgeon. If you see or feel any change in your breast size, shape, or contour after implants, you should see your doctor immediately. Moreover, it is important for women with silicone gel breast implants to have frequent MRI scans.