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Breast Implant Damage After Car Accident
It is difficult to answer without examining you and seeing the issues you're concerned about. After trauma there are several issues regarding implants: First - Are the implants intact or has the trauma caused a leak? With saline implants this can be relatively obvious as deflation occurs almost immediately. With silicone implants this can be harder to detect. Second - Has the envelope (including the capsule or scar tissue) around the implant ruptured or torn? This can cause asymmetry in implant positioning. Signs (in addition to the asymmetry) can include a tearing or popping sensation at the time of trauma or bruising around the breast. Third - Has there been bleeding around the implant? This can result in a hard breast as a hematoma forms around the breast. You should see a board-certified plastic surgeon to evaluate your implants.
Clinical Context
After a car accident, breast implants can be affected differently depending on type. Saline implants usually deflate quickly if the shell tears, since the fluid is absorbed by the body. Silicone implants can leak more slowly and may not change the breast's shape right away. Because of this, doctors often use imaging along with a physical exam to check for a leak. The scar capsule around the implant is separate tissue and can bleed or tear on its own, causing swelling even if the implant itself is intact.
