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What are my options for a saline breast implant leak?
A saline implant leak isn't subtle. Saline implants don't slowly seep; the shell fails and the implant deflates fairly quickly, usually over a few days, because the saltwater is absorbed by surrounding tissue while the shell collapses. You'll typically notice one breast getting smaller or looking deflated compared to the other. This is different from silicone rupture, which can be a "silent" leak that's much harder to detect without imaging.
A salty taste in your mouth has nothing to do with implant leakage, there's no pathway connecting the implant pocket to your mouth or sinuses.
Once a saline implant deflates, treatment is removal and typically replacement with a new implant. Most reputable manufacturers, including Mentor and Allergan, offer warranty programs that can help offset costs, sometimes covering the device itself and contributing toward surgical fees, though terms and duration vary and change over time. Contact your original surgeon's office or the manufacturer directly with your implant ID card or surgical records to check current coverage. A board-certified plastic surgeon can confirm the rupture on exam and walk you through replacement options.
Clinical Context
Saline implants can fail at any point after surgery, though risk rises with implant age. Common causes include normal shell wear over time, folding or friction inside the pocket, or rarely a needle injury during another procedure. Rupture isn't caused by exercise, sleeping position, or airport travel. If one breast changes size or shape, that's reason enough to see your surgeon soon, since deflation itself isn't dangerous but the implant will need replacement.
