Breast Implant Complications

Breast implant complications are concerns that occur after silicone or saline breast implants are placed within the chest. Complications can develop months to years after breast implants are initially placed, with almost all implants developing complications over time. They can occur as a result of the breast implant failing or the body reacting poorly to the implant, leading to an array of concerns that can affect a patient’s personal comfort, appearance, and sense of well-being.

Dr. Michael Howard is a board-certified plastic surgeon with several years of experience as a breast specialist. Dr. Howard is known for specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery and works to provide his patients with individualized attention, high-quality care, and seamless results.

If you are ready to begin working with Dr. Howard, please schedule a consultation by calling (224) 271-4250. We offer consultations at our Lake Forest, Chicago, and Glenview offices.

About Breast Implant Complications

Breast implant complications are a group of issues that develop after placing silicone or saline implants during breast augmentation. These complications include concerns ranging from capsular contracture or implant malpositioning to rare diseases such as breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC). These complications can arise from the type of implants that are placed, the way the implants are placed, how the body responds and heals itself, and more. Breast implants are not lifetime devices, which means that they will eventually require replacement before they fail. This makes it crucial to understand the risks and complications associated with them so you can make more well-informed decisions for your health, appearance, and sense of well-being.

Capsular Contracture

Capsular contracture is a complication seen after a breast augmentation or reconstruction using implants. It is highly common, with up to 51.7% of women in studies experiencing it. ⁽¹⁾ When breast implants are placed in the chest, the body forms a fibrous capsule around the implant as an immune response. Capsular contracture occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens, leading to pain or discomfort, as well as changes to the appearance and feel of the breasts.

There are two leading theories for the cause of capsular contracture. The first theory includes chronic inflammation, which occurs when your body overreacts to the placement of your implants. The second includes the formation of a bacterial biofilm within the body.

A biofilm adheres to a prosthetic surface and to each other via an extracellular matrix, or a network of proteins and macromolecules. These bacteria may enter the breast pocket during implant insertion by the surgeon, from the skin’s surface, or from the breast gland tissues. While antibiotics can treat certain bacterial infections, biofilms are known to resist treatment. This can elicit an immune response in a patient as their body continuously tries to fight off the infection. ⁽²⁾

Breast Implant Rupture

A breast implant rupture occurs when the implant fails to maintain its structure and leaks. It affects 10% to 15% of silicone and saline breast implants within 10 to 15 years, with its risk increasing depending on the implant age and type. The most common causes of implant rupture include:

When a rupture occurs, it can feel either subtle or obvious, depending on the type of implant you have. Saline implant ruptures are often visible without testing and present as visible deflation or asymmetry. Conversely, silicone implant ruptures are known as “silent ruptures” and are often only detectable through MRI or ultrasound testing. ⁽³⁾

BIA-ALCL

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma. This is a cancer that develops in the scar tissue surrounding breast implants, and it can bring several symptoms, such as:

BIA-ALCL can become prevalent one year after a patient’s implants are placed; however, most patients notice it 8 to 9 years after their initial placement. It is most commonly associated with highly textured implants, which feature a rough surface to minimize unwanted rotation or malpositioning. ⁽⁴⁾ It is also theorized that biofilm formation and genetic predisposition can affect the likelihood of this disease. Similarly to that of capsular contracture, a biofilm can form on the surface of the breast implant when bacteria enter the implant pocket. When the amount of bacteria exceeds a certain limit, the patient’s immune system will begin to fight it. As the body continues to fight over time, the immune cells will transform, leading to the development of BIA-ALCL. ⁽⁵⁾

BIA-SCC

Breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC) is a type of cancer that can develop in the scar tissue or fluid surrounding the breast implants. This is a rare, epithelial-based tumor that typically affects those in their early 50s. When it occurs, it can lead to several painful side effects and symptoms, including:

These concerns can affect one or both breasts, and patients may experience these symptoms more acutely or significantly.

It is still unclear what causes BIA-SCC, as it can develop with both saline and silicone breast implants. Experimental studies suggest that genetic predisposition and chronic inflammation are the greatest risk factors. In mouse models, it was found that certain models who received alloplastic implants experienced a persisting chronic immune response. The longer that the response went on, the higher the chance of DNA modification. ⁽⁶⁾

Breast Implant Malpositioning

Breast implant malpositioning occurs when the breast implants move or shift away from their original position. This complication can occur at any time during the post-operative period following a breast augmentation, and it can result in a range of visual concerns.

When the implants shift, they may shift:

Several factors can lead to malpositioning, including the previous surgeon improperly placing the implants, sustaining trauma to the rib’s connective tissue sheath (perichodrium), dissection errors during the initial procedure, receiving a post-operative massage, and participating in excess activities when recovering. ⁽¹⁾ However, other factors may also contribute to these occurrences, such as the composition of the patient’s breast tissue or the natural shape of their chest.

Breast Implant Illness

Breast implant illness consists of an array of symptoms commonly experienced by patients with breast implants. The cause of these symptoms is unknown, but they include concerns such as:

It is still unclear to researchers what causes breast implant illness. It can occur in women with any type of breast implant, including saline-filled, silicone-filled, smooth surface, textured surface, round-shaped, and teardrop-shaped. Symptoms may also occur regardless of how much time has passed after surgery, or whether your implants have ruptured or not.

One of the leading theories for breast implant illness is the presence of bacterial biofilms on the surface of the implants. Research studies have shown that the patients reporting their symptoms have a greater amount of immune cells in the region. This means their body has been fighting off an infection or sickness, explaining the presence of certain immune responses and symptoms.

How Are Breast Implant Complications Treated?

When Dr. Howard diagnoses a breast implant complication, he may perform one of two procedures to treat it. These are breast implant removal or breast implant replacement. The approach he takes will vary depending on your medical history and complication type, but he will provide his expert recommendations during your personal consultation.

Breast Implant Removal

Breast implant removal is a procedure that removes the breast implants from the chest without exchanging or replacing them. It can be performed to address a range of concerns or conditions affecting the implants, as well as a desire to change aesthetics. Dr. Howard can pair this procedure with either a breast lift or autologous fat transfer to restore a more rounded and contoured appearance to the breasts once the implant has been removed.

Breast Implant Replacement

Breast implant replacement is a procedure that removes existing breast implants and replaces them with a new pair. This procedure can address complications such as implant ruptures or capsular contracture while preserving the sculpted and voluminous look of the breasts. This approach may not be suggested for certain complications, as the risk of recurrence may rise with the prolonged use of implants.

Cost of Treating Breast Implant Complications in Chicago

The pricing of treating your breast implant complications can vary depending on the type of complication you are addressing, the procedure Dr. Howard performs, and the extent of the corrections overall. Once Dr. Howard has discussed these details with you and established your treatment plan, he will also provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate.

To learn more about our pricing, please call (224) 271-4250.

References

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2. Clark A, Shauly O, Sherrer J, Losken A. Understanding Capsular Contracture: Mechanisms, Management, and Patient Outcomes in Implant-based Breast Augmentation and Reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2026;14(1):e7407. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000007407
3. Gossman W, Shikhman R, Moufarrege R. Breast Implant Rupture. Nih.gov. November 11, 2019. Accessed August 31, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459308/
4. Lajevardi SS, Rastogi P, Isacson D, Deva AK. What are the likely causes of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)? JPRAS Open. 2022;32:34-42. doi:10.1016/j.jpra.2021.11.006
5. Alessandri-Bonetti M, Jeong T, Vaienti L, et al. The Role of Microorganisms in the Development of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. Pathogens. 2023;12(2):313. doi:10.3390/pathogens12020313
6. D’Orsi G, Giacalone M, Calicchia A, et al. BIA-ALCL and BIA-SCC: Updates on Clinical Features and Genetic Mutations for Latest Recommendations. Medicina (Kaunas). 2024;60(5):793. doi:10.3390/medicina60050793
7. Pacifico M D, Goddard NV, Harris PA. Classification of Breast Implant Malposition. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2024;44(10):1032-1042. Accessed August 31, 2026. https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/44/10/1032/7646030?login=false
8. Uscher J. What Is Breast Implant Illness? www.breastcancer.org. Accessed August 31, 2026. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types/implant-reconstruction/illness/breast-implant-illness