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 is the practical way to monitor implant health as implants age. It detects silent ruptures, capsular contracture and fluid collections early; it is non-invasive, painless, radiation-free, and a fraction of the cost of MRI.
While ultrasound detects fluid collections, there is no screening test for BIA-ALCL — any detected fluid requires specialised laboratory testing for 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?
Why is the one-stop format different from a standard implant check?
How can I tell if my breast implant has ruptured?
How long do breast implants typically last?
Is ultrasound better than MRI for checking breast implants?
I have textured Allergan implants — should I have them removed?
How often should I have my breast implants checked?
What happens if my scan finds something concerning?
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
