(949)-653-7000 Appointment

Ruptured Breast Implants
in Irvine, CA

New Beauty's 2020 Top Doctors Award
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Most women enjoy long lasting, satisfying results from their breast augmentation and have no problems with their implants.

In Orange County, breast augmentation patients whose breast implants have ruptured choose Dr. Andrew Smith to have them safely removed and replaced. As a board-certified plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction and breast revision specialist, Dr. Smith is highly qualified to perform these more complex breast surgeries.

How can I tell if my breast implant has ruptured?

When a saline implant ruptures, it deflates rather quickly. The saltwater in the implant is harmless and is absorbed by the body.

The breast looks deflated and is noticeably smaller than the other breast. It is more difficult to determine whether a silicone gel implant has ruptured because the filling usually remains inside the implant shell or the breast capsule. This is called a “silent rupture,” and can go undetected indefinitely. Signs a silicone implant has ruptured include:

  • Changes in breast shape
  • Increased breast firmness
  • Breast pain or tenderness

If a rupture is suspected in a silicone implant, it can be confirmed with a diagnostic scan such as a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI.

ruptured breast implants

Why do breast implants rupture?

Breast implants are not lifetime devices; therefore, breast augmentation patients should be prepared to have revision surgery at some point. Some of the most common reasons for a breast implant to leak or rupture include:

  • Overfilling or underfilling a saline implant
  • Normal deterioration over time
  • Trauma to the breast
  • Cut or puncture during surgery on or near the breast
  • A defect in the implant
Irvine plastic surgeon Dr. Smith

When you choose Dr. Smith, you’re choosing a breast specialist who

  • Is the Chief of the Subsection of Plastic Surgery at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center
  • Is one of the top surgeons in Orange County for complex breast revisions and reconstructions
  • Has performed thousands of breast surgeries during his 15+ years of surgical experience

To have Dr. Smith diagnose or correct a ruptured breast implant Irvine and Orange County residents can request a surgical consultation using his online form or call  (949)-653-7000.

What can be done if an implant ruptures?

If an implant ruptures, Dr. Smith will perform surgery to remove and replace it. If the ruptured implant was filled with saline, it can simply be replaced.

In the case of a ruptured silicone implant, Dr. Smith will remove any residual silicone gel and scar tissue, and make any repairs needed to the breast pocket. Ideally, he will utilize the original breast augmentation incisions. Dr. Smith can change the size and fill material of your implants if you’d like. Recovery is usually quicker than for the original procedure.

What if I don’t want to replace my implants?

Some patients decide to have their implants removed and not replaced. That’s always an option. Dr. Smith’s first priority is always to help patients find the solution that is right for them. In these cases, a breast lift is often necessary to remove stretched skin and create a better shape and position.

A breast lift elevates and reshapes the breasts to make sure they are proportional and symmetrical. Dr. Smith’s dedication to helping patients meet their unique cosmetic goals is one of the reasons so many women seek out his services when considering any form of cosmetic breast surgery.

ruptured breast implants

Is it OK to wait to have my implant replaced?

Do not put off seeing Dr. Smith if you suspect a problem with an implant. Severe capsular contracture can develop around a ruptured implant, which could require a more complex procedure to correct.

Your first step should be to schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith, so he can assess the condition of your implants in person and recommend a course of action. As one of the most experienced aesthetic breast surgeons in Orange County, Dr. Smith provides the peace of mind women seek when they have concerns about their breast implants. His experience and advanced training in performing breast implant revision surgery lead women from throughout Southern California to choose him when they need to replace either one or both of their implants.

Contact Andrew Smith, MD FACS Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Irvine, Orange County to schedule your consultation.

18 Endeavor Suite 102, Irvine, CA 92618

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