My 20 year old saline implant deflated. I’m 66 and have a hip replacement scheduled for the end of Sept and do not want to put it off. I would be happy removing them and having a lift. Can I put off removing the implant? Must I put off my hip replacement? How do I manage both issues? I’m a self employed personal trainer and planned on taking off a few weeks to do my hip.
There a certainty no rush in removing your deflated saline implant especially since your plan is to have them removed. Good luck with your hip surgery.
You must do is what is most important to you first. Nothing wrong in waiting until after your hip surgery. One option would be to puncture the opposite implant to let it deflate just like the one that deflated. That is if you do not want a replacement and have them removed with a lift later. The options and what to do needs to be discussed with your own orthopedic and plastic surgeons.
The saline filling the implant is harmless. The empty implant can be left in place although there will be some contraction of the pocket. If you want to replace the implant, there should be no problem proceeding with the hip surgery several weeks later. If you are not going to replace it but have them both removed with lift, have the hip surgery first. If the asymmetry disturbs you, you can have the intact implant punctured under local anesthesia. The important point is that saline implants, unlike silicon gel filled implants, are not a health issue if they leak, and you have options.