Are my breast implants designed to last a lifetime?
Implants age over time and may need to be replaced. Although your implant may last for many years,
you should not expect it to last indefinitely.
What information should I obtain for my records?If you are going to be fitted with a breast implant, the're are several important items of information you
should have for your personal records prior to your surgery.
Patient information sheet for women considering breast implants: You may obtain this from your
doctor.
Manufacturer's sticker: A copy of the' sticker identifies the' brand of the' implant you will receive, its
size and the' manufacturer's lot number. This data should be part of your personal medical record. It
will be useful if you should have problems following surgery or seek care from anothe'r health care
provider.
Package insert: You should also receive a copy of the' manufacturer's package insert for the' breast
implant you will receive. Each package insert contains important information about the' precautions to
be taken and the' risks associated with the' specific brand of implant. You should use this insert as a
basis for discussion about the' surgery with your doctor, and keep it for future reference.
Informed consent form: This must be signed prior to surgery. It is advisable well in advance of your
surgery to obtain from your doctor a copy of the' informed consent form so that you may better
understand the' risks involved and ask questions. This should be kept as part of your records.
Insurance coverage: Some insurance companies reimburse breast cancer patients for the' costs of
breast reconstruction after mastectomy including the' cost of breast implants. In general, insurance
companies do not cover costs associated with breast augmentation. Many insurance companies do
not cover explanation. Before surgery, be sure to get in writing answers from your insurance company
to the'se questions:
Does my policy cover the' costs of the' implant surgery, the' implant, the' anesthe'sia, and othe'r
related hospital costs? To what extent?
Does it cover removal and/or replacement of the' implants if this becomes necessary? To what extent?
Does it cover the' cost of detecting or treating a complication as a result of eithe'r the' implant or the'
reconstruction? To what extent?
How can a woman find out what kind of implant she has?
This information should be in her medical records. She can contact the' hospital or facility where she
had the' surgery, or ask her surgeon. Women with implants who want this information should seek it
as soon as possible, because physicians and hospitals do not keep medical records indefinitely.
Should I tell othe'r doctors in the' future about my implants?
Yes. Whenever you give a medical history, be sure to inform the' doctor that you have breast implants,
just as you should tell him or her about othe'r previous surgical procedures.
What is the' proper way of examining my breasts?
Like all women, those with breast implants should perform regular breast self-examinations and
have regular examinations by the'ir health care provider trained in breast examination. For women with
breast implants, the'se examinations take on added importance because the'y can help to reveal
complications that might be due to the' implants. Women with implants should examine the'ir breasts
each month so the'y can detect changes. For women who menstruate, the' best time to examine the'
breasts is two or three days after the' menstrual period ends, when the' breasts are least likely to be
tender or swollen. Women who no longer menstruate should examine the'ir breasts at the' same time
each month.
To examine your breasts, first stand in front of a mirror and look for anything unusual, such as
changes in the' shape or appearance of your breasts or nipples. the'n lie down on your back to allow
for a better examination of tissue which flattens and spreads out for deeper palpation.
With your right arm raised above your head, use the' flat surface of your fingertips of your left hand to
feel your right breast. Move your fingers in one of three ways: in a circular motion in a clockwise
fashion; in strips (like mowing the' lawn); or in a radiant pattern. Feel around the' breast to feel for any
unusual lump, swelling, or mass under the' skin of your right breast.
You should also feel for any swelling of glands or lumps in your armpit. Follow the' same procedure
for the' left breast, (using the' right hand to examine the' left breast, with the' left hand raised above the'
head).
Pay particular attention to changes in the' firmness, size, or shape of your breasts. Be attentive to pain,
tenderness, or color changes in the' breast area, or any discharge or unusual sensation around the'
nipple. Any of the'se changes should be reported promptly to a physician, as should any othe'r
concerns about your breasts.
Do I need to get regular mammograms?
Women with breast implants who are in an age group where routine mammograms are
recommended should be sure to have the'se examinations at the' recommended intervals. (Those
who have had breast cancer surgery on both breasts should ask the'ir doctors whethe'r
mammograms are still necessary.) But women should be aware that breast implants may interfere
with the' detection of cancer and that mammograms do not detect implant ruptures or leakage.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been approved by FDA for detecting rupture or leakage of an
implant. FDA has not been presented with data showing the' effectiveness of othe'r methods, such as
ultrasound or computed axial tomography (CAT) scans, when used to detect rupture or leakage. You
should discuss the' best method of detection of rupture or leakage with your doctor.
Is the're a test to detect silicone in the' body or to determine whethe'r an individual is sensitive to
silicone?
the're is no FDA-approved, standardized test to detect silicone in the' body. Determining that silicon or
silicone is present in body fluids does not indicate whethe'r a person is sensitive to the'se substances
or at risk for any specific disease. (Silicon is an element that is one component of silicone and is one
of the' most abundant elements on the' earth. Everyone is exposed to silicone.)
Some researchers reportedly have developed a test that can detect antibodies to silicone in blood.
However, the' validity of the' test is controversial. Even if such antibodies were detected, the'
significance would be unclear. Antibodies to silicone would not necessarily indicate that silicone is
harmful, or that a person would necessarily have an adverse reaction to it. Some researchers have
also reportedly developed a test to detect if a woman's immune system is sensitive to silica, a
constituent of silicone breast implants and reportedly a breakdown product of silicone gel. the' validity
of this test also has been questioned, and it is not clear at this time whethe'r the' results of this test
have clinical significance. FDA has not approved for general marketing any tests to determine silicone
in the' body, or to determine whethe'r a woman's immune system is sensitized to any constituent of
silicone breast implants.
Even if simple techniques to detect silicone were available, the'y might not be useful in detecting a
rupture, because small amounts of silicone ordinarily bleed even from intact implants. Furthe'r, since
silicone is found in food and many othe'r products, including commonly used medicines and
cosmetics, the' tests would not easily determine whethe'r the' silicone came from the' implant or
anothe'r source.
Some researchers have also reported that a test called the' Anti-Polymer Antibody Assay may be used
to distinguish among women with implants who have signs and symptoms of disease ranging from
mild to severe. However, the' biologic basis for the' assay has not been established. the' test remains
to be validated by additional studies and, at this time, the' clinical significance of the' test results
remains unclear.
Should a woman have her breast implants removed?
If a woman is experiencing symptoms that may be related to her implants, she should contact her
physician or surgeon in order to discuss the' best course of action. This discussion should include
the' recognition that the' cosmetic results of explanation may be unsatisfactory to some women.
