Breast Implant Health Check in Edinburgh
Answers about your breast implants in a single appointment — not weeks of separate ones. The breast implant health check at Waterfront combines a consultant breast radiologist’s ultrasound and a consultant plastic surgeon’s same-day review, so the imaging, the findings and the surgical opinion all happen in one visit.
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Service Overview
The breast implant health check at Waterfront is a one-stop service combining ultrasound imaging on a Canon Aplio Me scanner with a same-day consultation with a consultant plastic surgeon. The point of the service is that you leave the appointment with both the scan done and a surgical opinion on what, if anything, needs to follow — without having to book a separate consultation weeks later.
What you get in the appointment:
- Ultrasound scan performed by a consultant breast radiologist (Dr Theodora Zachari)
- Same-day review with a consultant plastic surgeon to interpret the findings and discuss what they mean for you
- A clear plan: routine follow-up if all is well, or surgical options if something needs addressing
- No radiation exposure (ultrasound is safe for repeat monitoring) and no MRI booking lead-time
Why Choose Ultrasound Screening?
Ultrasound checks are essential for monitoring breast implant health, especially as implants age.
Benefits include:
- Detection of silent ruptures: many implant ruptures show no external symptoms
- Early identification of complications, including capsular contracture and fluid collection
- Seroma detection*: identifies fluid collections that may require further investigation
- Non-invasive and painless: quick and comfortable assessment
- No radiation exposure: unlike other imaging methods
- More affordable than MRI: ultrasound is a fraction of the cost while still detecting most ruptures and fluid collections
*While ultrasound can detect fluid collections (seromas) around implants, there is currently no screening test for BIA-ALCL. Any detected fluid would require specialised laboratory testing (CD30 immunohistochemistry) for proper diagnosis.
Who Should Book a Check?
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an initial breast implant evaluation is recommended with ultrasound or MRI examination 5 to 6 years after initial silicone implant surgery and then every 2 to 3 years thereafter.
We recommend booking a breast implant ultrasound check if you:
- Have implants over 5 years old
- Have textured implants (particularly Allergan BIOCELL models)
- Notice any changes in your breasts
- Experience discomfort, pain, or symptoms
- Are looking for an alternative to MRI for implant monitoring
- Have concerns about your implant health
- Are planning future breast surgery
What to Expect
Before Your Appointment
No special preparation is needed for your breast implant health check. Wear comfortable, easy-to-remove clothing.
During Your Appointment
- Welcome and registration: our reception team meets you on arrival and guides you through the process
- Ultrasound scan: Conducted by our Consultant Breast Radiologist, Dr Theodora Zachari
- Duration: The scan takes approximately 15-30 minutes
- Same-day consultant review: Meet with a consultant plastic surgeon to discuss findings
- Surgical consultation: Receive expert guidance on revision options if needed
- Personalised recommendations: Receive tailored advice about your implants
- Follow-up planning: If needed, discuss any further surgical steps
How is BIA-ALCL Diagnosed?
How do you test for BIA-ALCL?
BIA-ALCL is a rare type of cancer that can develop around breast implants. It cannot be diagnosed with a scan alone – it needs special tests.
The Simple Process:
Step 1: Examination and Scan
- Your doctor examines your breasts and reviews any symptoms
- An ultrasound or MRI scan looks for fluid or lumps around your implant
- The scan shows us if there’s something to test, but can’t tell us what it is
Step 2: Taking a Sample
- If we find fluid around your implant, we need to test it
- A small needle removes some fluid (similar to a blood test)
- This is usually done with ultrasound guidance and local anaesthetic
Step 3: Laboratory Testing
- The fluid sample goes to specialist laboratories
- They look for specific cancer markers called “CD30”
- Only these special tests can confirm or rule out BIA-ALCL
Step 4: Getting Your Results
- A specialist pathologist reviews the results
- They’ll tell us if it’s BIA-ALCL or just normal fluid buildup
- Most fluid collections are harmless and not cancer-related
Key Things to Know:
✅ Good news: Most breast problems are NOT BIA-ALCL ✅ Treatable: When found early, BIA-ALCL is highly treatable ❌ No routine test: There’s no test for people without symptoms ❌ Scans alone can’t diagnose: You need the special lab tests
When Should You Get Checked?
See your doctor if you notice:
- Your breast getting bigger or swelling up
- New lumps in your breast or armpit
- Changes in how your breast looks or feels
- Pain that won’t go away
- Skin changes around your implant
These symptoms can have many causes – most are not serious, but it’s important to get checked.
What We Do:
If our ultrasound finds fluid around your implant:
- We’ll arrange to safely remove a sample
- Send it to the right laboratories for testing
- Make sure you see the right specialists quickly
- Support you through the whole process
The Bottom Line:
- BIA-ALCL is rare but serious
- Early detection makes treatment much more successful
- Scans help us find problems, but lab tests give the diagnosis
- Don’t worry unnecessarily, but don’t ignore changes in your breasts
If you’re concerned about your implants, it’s always better to get checked
Pricing and Booking
Guide prices for the breast implant health check at Waterfront Private Hospital:
- Ultrasound scan alone (with the consultant breast radiologist): £400
- Ultrasound + consultant plastic surgeon review (the full one-stop service): £450
Each price covers the named appointment in full. Most patients choose the full one-stop service — for an additional £50, a consultant plastic surgeon is present at the same visit to interpret the scan, explain what the findings mean, and discuss any next steps.
If the scan finds fluid that needs sampling, the additional cost of fluid aspiration and laboratory testing is quoted separately and discussed with you before any sample is taken.
To book, contact our team on 0131 376 3785 or via our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the same consultant who reviews my scan be involved if I need surgery?
Yes. The consultant plastic surgeon you see at the same-day review is one of our consulting plastic surgeons in breast implant work. If your scan shows something that needs surgery — for example, a confirmed rupture or a capsular contracture — that consultant can plan and perform your revision surgery, and follow you through every post-operative review. There is no handover between the check and any subsequent surgery.
Why is the one-stop format different from a standard implant check?
Most implant checks involve seeing a radiologist for the scan, waiting for the report, then booking a separate consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss what the report means and whether anything needs to be done. That can take weeks. The one-stop format collapses all of it into a single appointment, with the imaging, the findings and the surgical opinion all happening on the same day.
How can I tell if my breast implant has ruptured?
Silent ruptures often show no external symptoms. Only imaging like ultrasound can definitively diagnose a rupture. Symptomatic ruptures may cause changes in breast shape, asymmetry, pain or swelling.
How long do breast implants typically last?
Most manufacturers suggest consideration of replacement after 10–15 years. Implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime, and the risk of complications increases significantly after 7–10 years.
Is ultrasound better than MRI for checking breast implants?
MRI offers the highest sensitivity for detecting ruptures, but high-quality ultrasound provides excellent results at a fraction of the cost. Our Canon Aplio Me scanner represents the latest in ultrasound technology and is sensitive enough for most monitoring purposes. If your case needs MRI to settle a question, your consultant will tell you so.
I have textured Allergan implants — should I have them removed?
UK health authorities do not recommend the removal of textured implants in asymptomatic patients. However, regular monitoring is strongly advised. Our specialists will discuss your individual risk factors and options at your appointment.
How often should I have my breast implants checked?
Establish a baseline scan at 2–3 years after your original surgery, then follow FDA guidance of every 2–3 years thereafter. We may recommend more frequent monitoring based on individual clinical factors, implant type, or if concerns arise. Textured implants may need more frequent monitoring.
What happens if my scan finds something concerning?
Because the consultant plastic surgeon is part of the same appointment, you do not have to wait to discuss what was found. The consultant will explain the imaging in plain language, talk you through what it means and what the options are, and — if surgery or further testing is needed — make sure the next steps are arranged for you.
Very positive experience
Lovely surroundings. Pleasant, helpful efficient staff.
Quiet, relaxed atmosphere. Most of all, trust in an experienced surgeon who had previously helped me enormously.
EC
Jan 2024
