Absolutely not, especially in the current setting of COVID-19. As much as it may understandably be very distressing to you, saline implants can and do deflate typically after many years (at least 10-15), usually with no known physical trauma. Contact your original plastic surgeon or a local plastic surgeon and set up a non-emergent consultation to discuss your options. Don't panic.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

A saline rupture is not an emergency. The saline fill will progressively leak out and be absorbed by the body, resulting in a slow deflation of your implant.

This should be addressed as soon as possible as the pocket will slowly contract over time. The sooner it is replaced, the easier it will be to preserve the pocket.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No. However, a trip to your plastic surgeon should be made. When you mean "pops," does that mean "deflates"? Is the breast actually smaller? Sometimes you might hear a pop when the implant is hard and all of a sudden becomes soft. This means that the capsule broke, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. In any event, you should see your surgeon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No. In the event an implant ruptures--in your case saline, which is just water--a trip to the ER is not required. It is not a medical emergency, and frankly there is nothing they can do. Who can help is your plastic surgeon. All that is required during this scenario is to return to your surgeon and schedule to have your implant(s) replaced.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No, an implant rupture is not considered a medical emergency. However, you will need to contact your surgeon to have them removed and replaced. Did you sign up for the breast implant warranty? Your doctor can check for you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No, this is not necessary. I always tell patients a deflation is "urgent," but not "emergent." Saline implants are filled with saline, and 80% of your body is saline, so you are in no physical danger. However, the asymmetry can be unnerving for patients. Get in with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for an implant exchange surgery. Best of luck!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for asking. This is not typically an ER visit. It's a situation when a patient should see her plastic surgeon to plan the next step: replacement of implant(s) or removal, if desired. Best wishes!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. As long as you are not experiencing any pain, you do not need a trip to the ER. Luckily, saline solution is nothing more than salt and water, which naturally extract through the body. Having an implant pop does not cause any harm to the body, and is not considered dangerous.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. No, a breast implant deflation with saline breast implants is generally not a medical emergency. Call your surgeon to be seen and evaluated. Thank you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No, it's not an emergency. Seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon about this matter. An evaluation is needed, and if the implant has in fact "popped," you will need to replace one or both if you wish to continue having implants.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Saline implant rupture does not require a trip to the emergency room. You should follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No. If your saline breast implant deflates, then it is not an emergency. But you want to have it replaced fairly soon before the pocket decreases and then it becomes more difficult to replace them.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that you have an implant deflation. If you have noticed a sudden decrease in breast size with an empty feeling and more palpable implant edge, then you are correct, your saline implant is leaking. I would call your plastic surgeon to notify them of your situation. If there are no other symptoms or signs of any other medical condition such as chest pain or shortness of breath, then there is no need to go to the emergency room unless your physician instructs you to do so.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No, a trip to the ER is not necessary if your saline implant ruptures. Your body will absorb the saline. It is simply salt water. There is no danger and not an emergency. If your implant leaks, call your surgeon during business hours and he or she will be happy to help you with the warranty process.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No. If they are saline, you'll get a "flat tire," so to speak. If they are silicone, you may not notice anything without an MRI. There are no health issues related to implants rupturing. That's been proven in a number of studies.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. If you have experienced a saline implant rupture or if you have noticed a deflation in the size of one of your implants, I would definitely recommend that you see a board certified plastic surgeon for an evaluation. While there is no immediate health concern, as the body can naturally absorb the saline water that fills the saline implant, a saline implant rupture will most notably decrease the volume of that breast leading to noticeable breast asymmetry and over time, if left untreated, can cause the breast pocket that was initially created to collapse making a breast implant exchange procedure much more difficult and slightly more uncomfortable for the patient. If you have suffered trauma to the chest that caused your saline breast implant to rupture or leak, it may be worth seeing your primary care doctor for an evaluation as well to make sure that everything in the area is doing alright. Best of luck!

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No, it is not

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Not at all. Your body simply absorbs the saline and you urinate it out. Even in the extremely rare instance of a silicone gel implant rupturing, it is not an emergency and does not require a trip to the emergency room, only an elective visit to your friendly neighborhood board-certified plastic surgeon! I hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Not at all. It may seem like an emergency and have you in a panic, but just give your surgeon's office a call and go in to see them. It is "urgent," not "emergent."

Published on Jul 11, 2012