🧑‍⚕️ New Patients Save 50% on their Consultation! 💰 Limited-Time Offer. ⏰ T&C’s Apply.  ✨ Call Now!

Breast Implant Check Sydney

How to get breast implants checked by a trusted clinic like Breast Excellence and confirm that your implants are intact and have no underlying problems.

Why Are Implant Checks Important?

Breast implants do not last forever. They have a finite life span but how long they last for any woman can never be predicted or guaranteed. Many women have their implants in place and problem-free for many years. However, others can develop implant problems such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, displacement, and rarely, more serious problems such as BIA-ALCL that all warrant early detection and treatment.

It is well known that the risk of developing implant problems increases with time. Although implant problems can arise at any stage after the initial surgery, the more years you have them, the greater are the chances of needing revision surgery at some stage. That is why regular breast implant check-ups for the life of your implants are so important. They allow us to detect an implant-associated problem in its earliest stages and treat it more effectively.

What Are the Common Implant-Associated Conditions?

Capsular Contracture

Capsular Contracture occurs when the normally soft fibrous envelope (called the “capsule”) that forms around every implant, contracts like ‘shrink wrap’, and causes the breast to feel firmer than before.

If the capsule continues to shrink, the breast can change in shape as well as feel firm and tender. Although these changes can create the impression that the implant itself has hardened, in actual fact the implant is as soft as it always was. It is only the ‘capsule’ that has contracted and made the implant feel firmer to the touch. 

Treatment involves removing the implant along with its shrunken capsule, reshaping the breast pocket, and then reinserting the same or a new implant. 

Implant Rupture

Rupture of a Silicone Implant or Deflation of a Saline Implant

Silicone Implants:  All modern-day silicone implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel which, in the event of a wall rupture, largely stays within the implant walls and implant pocket. The implant does not deflate as would a leaking saline implant. 

Saline Implants:  Saline implants can also rupture suddenly or deflate slowly due to leakage at their filling valve. In either event, the breast loses its fullness and the escaped saline is simply absorbed by the surrounding tissues without any harmful effects. 

A ruptured implant of either type needs to be replaced. 

Not uncommonly, some women take this opportunity to request replacing both implants with a larger size! 

Implant Displacement

Movement of An Implant Away from its Original Position, or Rotation of a Teardrop Implant

Although an implant will not move far, even a small degree of movement can be enough to make the affected breast look misshapen, and in turn make both breasts look asymmetrical. Revision Surgery is required to return the implant to its original position.

Breast Implant Associated-Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)

BIA-ALCL is a rare type of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma associated with breast implants. It is very rare with an incidence between 1:1,000 and 1:40,000 and occurs most commonly in those with rough (textured) surface implants.

BIA-ALCL usually presents as a painless swelling of the breast, typically 3 to 14 years after the insertion of breast implants. The swelling is due to an accumulation of fluid called a Seroma. Most Seromas are NOT due to BIA-ALCL, but every Seroma needs to be checked for it. Far less commonly, BIA-ALCL can present as a lump in the breast.

Most cases of BIA-ALCL are cured by removal of the implant along with the fibrous capsule that forms naturally around every breast implant.

Clearly, BIA-ALCL needs to be diagnosed in its earliest stages.

Breast Implant Illness (BII)

‘Breast Implant Illness’ is a term often used in forums and social media to describe various symptoms that develop after the insertion of breast implants. However, there is very little scientific evidence to support such an entity. Nor are there any valid diagnostic tests to act as an accurate diagnostic marker for this condition.

The facts, as we currently know them, are as follows:

  • There are women with breast implants who self-identify and present with various systemic symptoms and believe that these are related to their breast implants.
  • ‘Breast Implant Illness’ is not an official medical diagnosis and is usually a combination of non-specific symptoms like fatigue, joint and muscle pains, headaches, hair loss and rashes.
  • Most of these symptoms are experienced by the general population both among those that have and those that don’t have breast implants.
  • To date, there has been NO scientifically proven link between silicone implants and systemic disease.
  • Some patients report a cessation of symptoms after implant removal, and some do not.

Seroma

A Seroma is a collection of serous fluid around an implant.  Although it most commonly appears within several weeks of surgery, it can occur months or even years later.  Its causes are not fully known. In some cases, mild sub-clinical infections in the implant pocket have been found. 

If small, a Seroma may settle without any treatment. However, if large enough to warrant intervention, aspiration under Ultrasound Guidance would be required. This also provides fluid to check for any infective cause or BIA-ALCL.

If examination of the seroma fluid detects the presence of an infection, the implant may well require removal like any other infected breast pocket in order for the antibiotics to be more effective at eradicating the infection. 

If analysis of the seroma fluid reveals BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant Associated-Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma), the usual treatment is removal of both implants along with their fibrous capsules. 

Reassuringly, most seromas are not due to BIA-ALCL and rarely is an infective cause ever found. In such cases of indeterminate cause, the seroma usually disappears spontaneously after several serial aspirations. Such aspirations are performed very safely under ultrasound guidance by a radiologist. In the unlikely event that the seroma persisted despite serial aspirations, surgery would be required to remove the implant, ‘rest’ the pocket, and then re-insert a new implant 3-6 months later.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should breast implants be checked?

At Breast Excellence, we recommend patients perform breast self-examinations every 3 months PLUS a check by a doctor annually. Regular annual checkups, even in the absence of any symptoms, allow the earliest detection of implant problems and their speediest correction.

How much will my breast implant checkup cost?

Your Initial Consultation cost is $175 but it should be eligible for a Medicare Rebate.

If indicated, our Plastic Surgeon will then refer you for a Breast Ultrasound, Mammogram, or MRI at one of our affiliated Imaging Centres. All Breast Ultrasounds and Mammograms are fully bulk-billed and therefore will not involve any out-of-pocket cost for you.

MRI examinations, on the other hand, are not bulk-billed but should be eligible for a partial Medicare Rebate. 

If you need to have a further consultation with our Plastic Surgeon, a Follow-Up Consultation Fee is $110. This also is eligible for a Medicare Rebate.

When do I need to pay for my consultation?

All our consultations need to be pre-paid at the time of booking and are subject to the following T&Cs:

  • Once pre-paid, all consultations are non-refundable and non-transferable but can be moved to another date with at least 3 working days’ notice.
  • Cancellations with less than 3 working days’ notice and ‘no shows’ are not refundable or transferable and will require a further consultation fee to re-book.
  • All payments by Credit Card & Debit Card attract a 0.3% surcharge and Amex a 1.5% surcharge.

Can I claim my out-of-pocket expenses from private health insurance?

Unfortunately, no. Private Health Insurance does not cover out-of-pocket costs for Specialist Consultations. Most funds will partly cover out-of-pocket expenses only if you then need to have revision surgery.

How can I book an appointment?

By telephone on 1300 73 63 53 or through our online booking system at www.BreastExcellence.com.au

Do I need a referral from my GP?

Yes. Current national regulations require you to obtain a referral from your GP either in person, or by Telehealth consultation. Your GP needs to address the referral to whichever of our Plastic Surgeons you are booked to see. You can either bring the referral with you to your appointment, or your GP can email it directly to us at info@BreastExcellence.com.au

Where are you located?

Breast Excellence is very conveniently located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD at Level 8, 60 Park Street Sydney. We are on the corner of Park and Elizabeth Streets, opposite Hyde Park, and directly across from Starbucks.

Our location is easily accessed by all train, bus and ferry services as well as being within easy walking distance of several public car parking stations.

Is there parking available?

We are within a short walking distance of several public car parking stations. Please ask our staff for their locations at the time of booking.

What do I need to bring to my first appointment?

  • Medicare & Health Fund Cards
  • Copies of Operation Notes from previous breast surgeries, if you have them.
  • Implant details if known: type, brand, size, texture.
  • Copies of reports from previous ultrasounds, mammograms, or MRIs, if you have such.

What will happen at my first appointment?

On arrival, you will need to complete our Patient Information Questionnaire. You will then be seen by our Specialist Plastic Surgeon who will listen to your concerns, and then check your breasts and implants.

If indicated, our Surgeon will refer you for a Breast Ultrasound or Mammogram examination at one of our affiliated Imaging Centres where these examinations will be fully bulk-billed with no out-of-pocket cost to you.

If, however, your condition requires an MRI examination, this will not be bulk-billed but at least is eligible for a partial  Medicare rebate.

Depending on your results,  our Plastic Surgeon will either need to see you again, or simply phone you to discuss your results.

'Before & After' Examples of Implant-Related Conditions

Breast Revision Surgery
Before
Breast Revision Surgery
Correction of R. Breast Deformity Due to Implant Movement + Increase of Implant Sizes (R. 445cc, L. 390cc)
Breast Revision Surgery
Before
Breast Revision Surgery
Removal of Ruptured Implants + Breast Lift
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Before
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Correction of Bilateral Capsular Contracture + Increase of Implant Sizing from 300cc to 350cc
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Before
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Correction of Breast Asymmetry: Repositioning & Replacement of Implants With 495cc Teardrop Implants
Implant Revision Surgery
Before
Implant Revision Surgery
Repositioning of Implants To Correct Malposition
Implant Revision Surgery
Before
Implant Revision Surgery
Correction of Bilateral Capsular Contracture: Breast Reconstruction Using 485cc Teardrop Implants
Breast Revision Surgery
Before
Breast Revision Surgery
Correction of Implant Descent & Breast Ptosis With Breast Lift + Implant Size Increase From 410cc to 445cc
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Before
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Correction of Breast Asymmetry Following Primary Breast Augmentation Using 545cc Teardrop Implants
Implant Revision Surgery
Before
Implant Revision Surgery
Requested Larger Implants (625cc) Following Primary Breast Augmentation
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Before
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Improvement of Breast Appearance By Bilateral Breast Lift With Internal Bra Support and Smaller Implants (560cc to 475cc)

Breast Implant Check Costs in Sydney

  • Breast Implant Check Sydney
  • Initial Consultation Fee $175 (eligible for a partial Medicare Rebate)
  • Ultrasound or Mammogram  Examination (if required) – will be bulk-billed with no out-of-pocket cost to you.
  • MRI examinations are not bulk-billed but are still eligible for a partial Medicare Rebate.
  • Follow-Up Consultation $110 (if required, eligible for a partial Medicare Rebate) 

Can I Claim on  Private Health Insurance?

Private Health Insurance does not cover out-of-pocket costs for Specialist Consultations. Consultation costs are only eligible for rebates through Medicare.

However, depending on you Fund and Level of Cover, Private Health Insurance may cover some out-of-pocket expenses if you need to be admitted to hospital for revision surgery.

Please check directly with your Fund.