Over-Filling Implants

Many women find themselves in the market at some point for breast implants. One of the biggest questions that anyone seeking the procedure has is how much to fill a saline implant or what size implants to have inserted.

When one opts for saline implants, it is important to remember that they can only be filled so far before they will pop, like a balloon. Over filling implants is a controversial topic that arises only with saline implants. The debate over over-filling is whether or not implants should be over-filled purposely or not.

Saline implants are inserted empty and then filled once they are in place with sterile saline solution by the surgeon. Each size of empty implant has a maximum fill capacity as well as an optimum fill level. The optimum amount is how much saline should be inserted into the bag. This can be expressed as a range or as a number and then a plus amount, i.e. 225 cc +25.

Over filling is the process or accident of adding more saline than the optimum fill range on the implant. Some interpret over filling an implant as exceeding the lower number on the range. Others feel it is exceeding the upper level of the range.

When a doctor purposely over fills an implant past the recommended amount, it is done to prevent rippling on the surface. This is fine for cosmetic reasons but does place any patient at risk. The risk is that the implant will pop since it has, technically, too much fluid in it. Like any balloon, plastic can only stretch so far before it gives.

Contact a Pennsylvania Cosmetic Surgeon Malpractice Lawyer

If your implants were over filled and have since popped causing health issues, contact the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511.