Scotland's First One-Stop Breast Implant Health Check - Edinburgh
Worried about your breast implants? Get complete peace of mind with Scotland’s first one-stop breast implant health check at Waterfront Hospital in Edinburgh. Our pioneering service combines expert ultrasound scanning and immediate consultant plastic surgeon review – all in a single appointment. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or simply due for your routine check, we provide same-day results and expert guidance for women throughout Scotland. No more waiting weeks between scans and consultations – get definitive answers about your implant health today.
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Service Overview
Our specialist Breast Implant Health Check service provides comprehensive assessment of your breast implants using the latest Canon Aplio Me ultrasound technology. This one-stop clinic combines radiologist scanning and plastic surgeon consultation in a single visit, saving you time and providing immediate expert guidance on your implant health.
Key Benefits
- Complete assessment in one visit: No waiting between radiologist and plastic surgeon appointments
- Dual specialist expertise: Both Consultant Breast Radiologist and Plastic Surgeon assessment
- Immediate results and surgical guidance: Discuss findings and revision options with consultants on the same day
- State-of-the-art technology: Canon Aplio Me ultrasound for superior imaging
- Early detection: Identify potential issues before they become serious
- Non-invasive and safe: No radiation exposure, making it ideal for regular monitoring
- Peace of mind: Comprehensive assessment of your implant health with expert surgical advice
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
- Cost-effective: More affordable than MRI scanning
*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 will guide 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
We offer comprehensive and competitive pricing for our breast implant assessment service. For the latest pricing information, please contact our booking team. Please note that costs are either for the ultrasound alone or for the ultrasound combined with assessment by a consultant plastic surgeon during the same visit. Additional fees may be incurred for any additional laboratory testing or fluid aspiration.
Booking Information
Book your comprehensive implant assessment today! Don’t wait to ensure the health of your breast implants and discuss revision options with our specialist team.
Contact us to schedule your assessment with our expert breast radiologist:
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Frequently Asked Questions
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. The NHS notes that breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime. The risk of complications increases significantly after 7-10 years.
Is ultrasound better than MRI for checking breast implants?
While MRI offers the highest sensitivity for detecting ruptures, high-quality ultrasound provides excellent results at a fraction of the cost. Our Canon Aplio Me scanner represents the latest in ultrasound technology.
I have textured Allergan implants – should I have them removed?
UK health authorities do not recommend the removal of textured implants in asymptomatic women. However, regular monitoring is strongly advised. Our specialists can discuss your individual risk factors and options.
How often should I have my breast implants checked?
We recommend establishing a baseline scan at 2-3 years, then following 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.
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
