Breast implants are designed to be long-lasting, but they are not lifetime devices. Whether you have undergone breast augmentation, breast reconstruction after breast cancer or revision breast surgery, regular assessment of your implants is an important part of maintaining your long-term breast health.
Many women assume that if their implants look and feel normal, everything must be fine. However, some implant-related complications can develop gradually and may not cause symptoms until they are more advanced. Routine clinical review combined with breast ultrasound can provide reassurance, detect problems early and help you make informed decisions about your breast health.
At MUMS (Midland Ultrasound & Medical Services) in Solihull, Mr Senthurun (Seni) Mylvaganam offers a dedicated breast implant health assessment service, combining specialist breast surgical expertise with high-quality ultrasound imaging in a modern, patient-centred environment.
Modern silicone breast implants are extremely durable and have an excellent safety record. Nevertheless, no implant manufacturer recommends that implants should simply be forgotten after surgery.
Over time, implants naturally age. The surrounding capsule changes, the shell experiences wear, and the breast itself continues to change with ageing, pregnancy, weight fluctuation and hormonal changes.
Regular reviews allow these changes to be monitored before they become significant problems. The FDA (no UK organisation specific advice) advises that silicone gel breast implants should undergo periodic imaging with ultrasound or MRI to help detect "silent" ruptures that may not cause symptoms.
Many implant-related conditions develop gradually.
Regular assessments can help identify:
Importantly, many patients attend simply for reassurance that everything remains healthy.
Unlike saline implants, silicone implants often remain the same size even if the shell develops a small tear.
This is known as a silent rupture.
Many women experience:
Because these ruptures may not be noticeable, ultrasound has become an increasingly valuable investigation for implant surveillance. The FDA recognises ultrasound as an acceptable imaging modality for routine screening of asymptomatic silicone implant rupture in appropriate patients.
Ultrasound provides an excellent assessment of both the implant and the surrounding breast tissue without exposing patients to radiation.
During the examination your clinician can evaluate:
The examination is painless, non-invasive and usually completed within around 20 minutes.
For many patients it offers considerable reassurance.
One of the major advantages of attending a specialist breast surgeon is that your consultation focuses on both implant health and breast health.
Many women develop breast symptoms entirely unrelated to their implants.
These include:
Having your implants assessed by a consultant breast surgeon means these symptoms can often be evaluated during the same appointment, with rapid access to further investigations if required.
Women with breast implants should continue to participate in NHS Breast Screening when eligible.
It is important to inform the mammography team that you have implants, as additional implant-displacement views may be needed to visualise as much breast tissue as possible. Mammography assesses breast tissue for cancer but is not designed to check the integrity of the implants themselves. If you have concerns about your implants, separate assessment may be required.
You do not need to wait until something feels wrong.
Many women choose routine reviews:
You should seek assessment sooner if you experience:
Choosing who assesses your implants is just as important as choosing who inserts them.
Mr Seni is a Consultant Breast Surgeon whose practice is dedicated exclusively to breast surgery. His experience spans:
This specialist focus allows a comprehensive understanding of implant behaviour, breast anatomy and the investigation of breast symptoms.
Rather than simply performing a scan, your appointment includes a detailed clinical assessment, discussion of your concerns and expert interpretation of the findings in the context of your overall breast health.
Your breast implant assessment takes place at MUMS Solihull, a modern specialist diagnostic centre designed to provide rapid access to expert breast care.
Patients value MUMS because of its:
Unlike larger hospital settings, appointments are unhurried, allowing time to discuss concerns, review imaging together and develop an appropriate management plan.
For many patients, this provides reassurance that simply cannot be achieved through imaging alone.
How long do breast implants last?
Breast implants are durable but are not considered lifetime devices. Many patients enjoy their implants for many years without problems, but ongoing surveillance is recommended because implants and the surrounding tissues change over time.
Does ultrasound replace MRI?
For many patients, ultrasound provides an excellent first-line assessment of implant integrity. MRI may still be recommended in selected situations where additional detail is required.
Is ultrasound painful?
No. Ultrasound is non-invasive, uses no radiation and is generally very comfortable.
Can ultrasound detect breast cancer?
Ultrasound is an excellent tool for assessing many breast abnormalities but complements rather than replaces mammography or MRI where indicated. Your consultant will advise the most appropriate imaging for your individual circumstances.
Should I have my implants checked even if I feel well?
Yes. Many implant problems develop without causing symptoms initially. Routine assessment can provide reassurance and identify issues before they become more significant.
Your breast implants are an investment in your confidence and wellbeing. Looking after them should be viewed as part of your long-term health rather than something to think about only if a problem develops.
Whether you would like reassurance, are concerned about a change in your breasts or simply wish to establish a baseline assessment, Mr Senthurun (Seni) Mylvaganam offers comprehensive breast implant health checks with specialist breast ultrasound at MUMS Solihull.
With consultant-led assessment, expert imaging and personalised advice, you can have confidence that both your implants and your breast health are being cared for by a surgeon whose practice is dedicated entirely to breast surgery.
To arrange a breast implant health assessment at MUMS Solihull, contact the team and take a proactive step towards protecting your long-term breast health.
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