I think my saline implant is leaking
I think my saline implant is leaking from what I have read online it says that it might cause a fungus infection and can cause a skin rash. I think I have a slow leak and I have been having issues with a rash around my nipple and under my breast along with my arms, neck and face. Please advise.
The first thing to do is contact your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to be evaluated. If your breast is getting smaller, then you are likely correct about the rupture.
As far as possible fungal infection, there are all kinds of stories you will read on the internet. Fungal infections in implants are very rare! I have read reports of this occurring in other countries, but I have never seen a report of this from the USA. So, if you have a rash, that's even more reason to get checked out.
Thank you for your question. Your symptoms sound very unusual, and while not totally unlikely to be related to your skin symptoms,stranger things have happened. As you have probably read already, a saline implant leak is usually quite dramatic, in that the breast size on the side of the leaking implant reduces quite rapidly. I have also seen this occur over a longer period and with less than complete emptying. So a less dramatic decrease in breast cup size would be seen in that situation. My suggestion would be to make an appointment with your implanting surgeon and start there. Also, I would consult with a dermatologist to help sort out the suspected source or sources of the rash. It may be totally unrelated. It would be great additional information for your surgeon to have in deciding just how to proceed in your particular set of circumstances.
Thanks for your question and I'm sorry that you are having problems. I don't believe that the rash and implant are related. First of all, if a saline implant develops a small hole and begins to leak, it will typically deflate completely. This happens over days to weeks and not months. Although not impossible, it would be exceedingly rare to have a rash from this. The issue of mold/fungus is exceedingly rare. I would see your plastic surgeon and would recommend a dermatologist evaluate your rash. Best of Luck!
You should visit you plastic surgeon to have the implant and your breast evaluated. If they are not available find a Board Certified ASAPS member surgeon in your area who can help you. A leaking saline implant will typically result in decrease in the size of the breast. Rashes may develop if the skin becomes looser and starts drooping, creating areas where sweat can become a problem. The situation is not an emergency but will require surgery to replace the implant if it is indeed leaking.