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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.

Your consultants
Ultrasound check of a breast implant

Contents

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.

A breast ultrasound scan in progress, with the image on the screen

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

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

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

Pricing and Booking

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.

Contact us to book

Free · anonymous

Questions before you book?

Ask anything about breast implant health check, its recovery, risks or cost, any time and in plain language. If you would like, our team can contact you afterwards.

Start the free AI consultation

General information, not a substitute for a consultation.

Patients often ask

The free AI consultation on a phone

Quick answers

Can I spread the cost?
Yes. You can pay in full two weeks before your procedure, or spread the cost with interest-free finance through Omni Capital Retail Finance over 6 or 10 months, with a deposit of between 10% and 50%. There is no interest and no hidden fee, and most applicants get a decision straight away. We do not accept private medical insurance for cosmetic treatment.
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.

Meet our specialists

Our breast implant assessment team includes:

Dr Theodora Zachari – Consultant Breast Radiologist with extensive experience in breast imaging and implant assessment

Consultant plastic surgeons – Experts in breast implant surgery and revision who provide same-day consultation:

You meet your consultant at your first appointment. The same consultant plans your treatment, carries it out and sees you afterwards.

Mr Omar Quaba

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · ISAPS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Mr Will Anderson

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS

Ms Ewa Majdak-Paredes

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Mr Ken Stewart

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Fantastic clinic

Fantastic clinic, and Mr Omar Quaba is a highly skilled professional. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him.

NS
Jul 2026 Read on Trustpilot (opens in a new tab)

4.9TrustScoreout of 5

581 reviews

All reviews on Trustpilot

I visited the clinic for an Ultrasound which was performed by Dr Theodora Zachari. I was very impressed by her professionalism, knowledge and how lovely she was. She made me feel very relaxed and took the time to talk to me about any questions/concerns l had. I didn’t feel rushed and left the clinic with the answers I needed. 10/10

Nicola Bremner
September 2026 Read on Google (opens in a new tab)

Google

4.9

118 reviews, out of 5

  • 5-star reviews: 112
  • 4-star reviews: 5
  • 3-star reviews: 0
  • 2-star reviews: 0
  • 1-star reviews: 1
All reviews on Google