What are the usual features when a silicone breast implant ruptures?

In most cases, when the leak is small women generally do not have any symptoms or outward signs. However, if the leak is mild to moderate, most women will have the following symptoms:

- Pain of varying degrees-in most cases it is bearable

- Some women may experience a burning or tingling sensation at the site of rupture

- Others may experience numbness at the site of rupture

- If the leak is significant, it may also cause the skin to become red

- In almost all cases, the area around the leak is firm and hard. The texture of skin will definitely will different

- The breast may feel knobby or woody

- In some cases, the breast size and shape may be distorted

Can a small leak in silicone breast implant change shape of my breast?

After a silicone breast implant, if you have pain or change in the shape or size of your breast, a leak must be ruled out. When the breast implant is first inserted, a fibrous capsule or scar tissue forms around the implant. When the silicone leaks, it incites an inflammatory reaction of this scar tissue. This will present as pain and hardening of your breast. You will notice that the skin texture around the leaked site is different or firm. Many women complain of an odd ache or discomfort when a leak occurs.

I had silicone breasts implants recently and think I may have a rupture. Is this dangerous?

Breast implants are sturdy and durable but they sure can rupture. When a breast implant ruptures, the silicone leaks around the breast and can cause development of a thick firm scar. This may lead to pain and asymmetry of the breast. You will definitely notice a chance in the contour of the breast. Over the years, there has been a lot of controversy if the ruptured implant can cause cancer or other collagen vascular disorders. Some people say it does and some say it does not. The best advice is to see your surgeon and let him decide the next course of action. You can rest assured- managing a ruptured implant is an expensive undertaking.

Are breast lumps common in young females?

Breast lumps are quite common in young females. The lump is essentially a growth of tissue that develops in the breast tissues. Some women refer to a breast lump as a swelling, fullness, thickening or a mass. Most women first identify a breast lump  accidentally. Sometimes the mass may be discovered by a prudent physician who performs a physical exam. In the majority of cases, breast lumps generally do not have symptoms. However, in rare cases the breast lump can present as redness around the nipples, dimpling or tethering of skin, unequal breast size, nipple inversion or a bloody nipple discharge. In a few rare cases, the lump on breast may present with a skin rash or dermatitis. It is very rare for a female to complain of a painful lump in breast.

Findings of a breast lump does not always mean that one has a cancer. There are many causes of breast lumps in young women. However, breast lumps in postmenopausal women should always be of concern.

I am a 29 year old female and have been told I have fibrocystic disease of the breast. Is there any thing I can do to make it go away?

Fibrocystic disease is also common in many women in between the 3-4 decade of life. The breast usually feels lumpy and uneven. Physicians often refer to fibrocystic disease as glandular disease. Fibrocystic disease is found in more 50% of women at some point in their lives. Today, it is believed that fibrocystic disease is not a disease at all, just a variation of normal growth.  Women who have fibrocystic disease do complain of pain or discomfort in the breast. However, the disorder is not life threatening and disappears after menopause. Simple homemade measures like wearing a support bra and avoiding caffeine beverages is all that is required.

My doctor says I have a breast cyst. I am 32; Can you tell me what I should do next?

Breast cysts are fluid filled sacs in one or both breasts. The cysts are round and have distinct margins. When examining the breasts, the cyst will feel like a grape. Very rarely will a breast cyst will feel firm. Breast cysts tend to be more common in women in the ¾ decade of life but may present earlier. In most cases, breast cysts disappear after menopause. Breast cysts generally do not require treatment unless they are large, causing pain or the female just wants it removed. In most cases, surgery is not required but the cyst can be drained with a needle in the office. Unfortunately, breast cysts do come back but they are not life threatening nor are they cancerous.

Does breast feeding cause sagging of the breasts?

One common reason why many women are afraid to breast feed is because they believe that their breast will become saggy. This myth of gigantic proportions has been perpetuated over the centuries chiefly because of ignorance. Sure breasts can become saggy but this is not due to breast-feeding. 


A lot of recent data shows that breast feedings does not affect the size, shape or volume of the breast. During all pregnancies, breasts are engorged and appear bigger. The ligaments that support the breasts also are stretched and often after delivery, the ligaments lose their elasticity and the breasts sag- so breast-feeding is not the reason for sagging. Unfortunately, breast sagginess does tend to increase with each successive pregnancy, and this is especially true in women who already have large breasts.  To day, there is no medical treatment for saggy breast except cosmetic surgery