THE REFERENCE FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON BREAST IMPLANTS
The mission of this website is to inform the general public of the need to continually check breast implants for possible failure or complications during the entire lifetime of the breast implants. While over 300,000 women receive breast implants annually in the United States alone, the need long-term follow-up is not emphasized enough. Though generally safe, breast implants are medical devices and they can fail. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an MRI is recommended at THREE YEARS after breast implantation and then EVERY TWO YEARS thereafter to screen for implant rupture. If detected early enough, replacing a ruptured breast implant, particularly saline-filled breast implants, can be similar to replacing a batter in a battery compartment. If detected late, ruptured silicone can cause thickening of the scar tissue around the implant (CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE) which can lead to breast deformity and pain. Replacement or removal of breast implants after they have been ruptured for a while can therefore be more complicated. We therefore also recommend annual breast examination by your plastic surgeon to check for implant complications including capsular contracture (firm scar formation around an implant) and breast implant rupture.