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Scar tissue around implants?

Page last modified on: September 18, 2008

Question from Trudy: I had my implants for a year-and-a-half and then had to have them replaced because so much scar tissue built up and they moved. What are the chances of this happening again?: Answer —Maurice Nahabedian, M.D.: Answering that question depends on an understanding of why all that scar tissue formed. Some women naturally form more scar tissue than expected. In some women, scar tissue can form because of small infections, a small amount of old blood that may have remained following the reconstruction, or following radiation treatment.

If somebody has developed an abnormal amount of scar tissue around an implant, it would be OK to perform a procedure to remove or release some of that scar tissue. This would require another operation, but it usually is successful in improving the overall outcome.

On Wednesday, November 19, 2003, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Breast Reconstruction. Maurice Nahabedian, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about different techniques in breast reconstruction, the pros and cons of implants and body tissue transfers, when you might want to reconstruct, and many more issues related to rebuilding your breast/s after breast cancer surgery.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Maurice Nahabedian, M.D. is director of the Center of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery of the Breast and associate professor of plastic Surgery at Johns Hopkins.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.

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