Caring for Your Breast Implants
Breast Implants: Mammograms & Long Term Care –
Just as there are some things you should do to make sure your breasts stay healthy, there are also steps you should follow to care of your breast implants over time. Mammograms, breast exams, protecting your implants from certain types of damage, and regularly monitoring for breast implants for rupture are all very important.
Mammograms and Breast Implants
Whether or not a woman has breast implants, having a mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer. However, there are some unique mammogram considerations for women with breast implants.
Breast implants can make it harder for the technician to perform a mammogram. Breast implants can also make it harder to identify breast cancer on a mammogram.
As every woman knows, the mammogram machine squeezes the breast to make it flat while taking a picture. The pressure from this squeezing could make your implant rupture or cause gel bleed.
Be sure to tell the mammogram technologist that you have breast implants before the procedure, so she can use special techniques to get the best possible views of your breast tissue, taking steps to ensure that your breast implants will not rupture due to the mammogram. Show your Device Identification Card (that you will receive after surgery) to the mammography technician.
Breast surgeons recommend having a mammogram before your breast implant surgery to establish a “baseline” for comparison in the future. Then women are encouraged to have another mammogram 6 months to 1 year after your implant surgery to establish another ”baseline” with the breast implant present.
After that women with breast implants should have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years, or as advised by their doctor, just as women without breast implants should do.
Other Breast Exams with Breast Implants
You should also perform self-breast exams once a month. After your period ends, is a good time to examine your breasts. Your doctor can show you how to do a self-breast exam, and teach you to tell the difference between your breast implant and breast tissue. If you see or feel that something has changed, talk to your doctor promptly.
It can sometimes be hard for you to feel changes in your breast when the implant is there, so it is important to have regular breast exams by a doctor, as well.
Preventing Breast Implant Rupture
Breast implant are quite durable, and are built to handle day to day bumps, hugs, and other everyday activities. Most surgeons indicate that you can even continue to participate in sports without restrictions. So it is not necessary to be overly concerned about rupture. However, physical trauma (e.g. an auto accident or fall), excessive repetitive wear and tear, can lead to a rupture in some cases.
A medical condition called capsular contracture can also cause rupture in a very small percentage of breast implants. Massaging your breasts regularly can help keep the surrounding soft and malleable, and prevent capsular contracture. Always alert your plastic surgeon if you notice the formation of any hardened scar tissue so that he can intervene before a rupture occurs.
If you or your doctor suspect a rupture or “gel bleed” of your breast implants, an MRI should be taken as soon as possible. An MRI is the best way to detect breast implant ruptures or leaks.
Top Detroit Breast Implant Surgeon
Top surgeon Dr. Ali has provided breast implant surgery for thousands of satisfied patients across the Detroit area. If you are considering breast implant surgery, he will be happy to offer you a consultation to answer any additional questions you may have.
Feel beautiful inside and out, with breast implant surgery. And remember, financing options are also available.
