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EnglishDo you have silicone implants and notice sudden changes in your breasts? Although most people with breast implants never experience problems, it's important to take such symptoms seriously. Swelling, pain or shape changes can have a number of causes, and a thorough assessment is needed to determine whether it's a harmless reaction or something that requires further follow-up.
In this article, you'll get an overview of common causes of sudden breast changes, what to look for and when it's time to contact a plastic surgeon.
Although breast implants are safe and durable, some people may experience the following symptoms:
Swelling in one breast - One breast suddenly becomes larger than the other.
Pain or discomfort - Pain in one or both breasts, with or without physical touch.
Phase change - The breasts visibly change shape or structure.
These changes can occur gradually or suddenly, and although they are often harmless, they should be investigated.
The most common cause of breast changes is capsular contracture - a condition where the body's natural connective tissue around the implant contracts and hardens. This can lead to:
Increased firmness or hardness in the chest
Visible change in breast shape
Discomfort or pain
Studies show that modern surgical techniques and high-quality implants have reduced the incidence of capsular contracture to around 1-4 %, compared to previously when up to 45 % of patients experienced this.
Silicone prostheses are designed to be robust, but over time a leak can occur. Signs of a cracked prosthesis can be:
The chest becomes harder or swells
Changed shape or firmness
In some cases no visible signs
Today's silicone prostheses are of higher quality than before, both in terms of the prosthesis shell and the silicone gel inside the prosthesis. This means that it takes more time for a leak to occur, and if a leak does occur, the coherent silicone gel will limit the spread of silicone. Suspected leaks should always be investigated.
Some patients may experience a sudden accumulation of fluid around the implant (seroma), which typically leads to:
Rapidly increasing size of one breast (can happen within 24 hours)
Slight tenderness or pressure sensation
Seroma usually occurs one year or more after surgery and requires medical assessment.
Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is linked to breast implants, especially those with a macro-textured surface. Although the risk is low, it is important to know the symptoms:
Sudden swelling in the chest
Pain or discomfort
A noticeable lump or thickening in the breast tissue
BIA-ALCL has a good prognosis, and early detection provides effective treatment options. Read more about BIA-ALCL here.
Book a consultation with a plastic surgeon - A specialist can quickly assess what is causing the change.
Don't wait too long - The earlier you seek an assessment, the better.
Collect information - Knowing what type of implants you have and when they were inserted can provide valuable insight for your surgeon.
Hos Klinikk A we offer a thorough assessment of breast implants and customized solutions tailored to your needs.
Read more here if you want to remove your silicone implants.
Sudden changes in the breasts with silicone prostheses are not necessarily serious, but should always be investigated. The most common causes include capsular contracture, leakage, seroma and in very rare cases BIA-ALCL.
If you experience unexpected changes in your breasts, we recommend that you book a check-up appointment with us. We're here to give you peace of mind and professional follow-up.
