What Should You Do After Getting Breast Implants?
Getting breast implants is one thing. Looking after them long-term is another.
Most women are told to attend follow-up appointments in the weeks after surgery but very few are given clear guidance about what ongoing care looks like years down the line. The truth is that breast implants are not lifetime devices. They require regular monitoring, and the gold standard for that monitoring is a dedicated Breast Implant Health Check using ultrasound imaging.
If you have breast implants, whether you had your surgery in Ireland, abroad, or at another clinic; here is everything you need to know about keeping them healthy and knowing when something is wrong. We've been in the business long enough to know what to look out for :)
What Is a Breast Implant Health Check?
A Breast Implant Health Check is a medical examination specifically designed to assess the condition of breast implants and the surrounding tissue. It is different from a standard GP appointment or a mammogram.
At The Avoca Clinic in Ireland, a Breast Implant Health Check involves:
- A thorough consultation covering your medical history, any symptoms, and your concerns
- A detailed ultrasound scan performed by a Consultant Radiologist (Dr Amr Hamid)
- Assessment of the integrity of each implant, including checks for rupture, leaks, and capsular contracture
- Examination of the surrounding breast tissue for any abnormalities
- A full written report issued on the same day
- Clear guidance on next steps or follow-up if anything requires attention
The entire appointment typically takes around 45 to 60 minutes and results are provided before you leave.
How Often Should Breast Implants Be Checked?
Annual checks are recommended for anyone with breast implants, regardless of the age of the implant or whether you have any symptoms. Many problems with implants including silent ruptures cause no noticeable symptoms at all, which is why regular monitoring is so important even when everything feels fine.
If you experience any of the following, you should seek a check sooner rather than later:
- A change in the shape or size of one or both breasts
- Unusual firmness or hardening around an implant
- Pain, discomfort, or a pulling sensation
- Swelling that appears suddenly or persists
- Asymmetry that wasn't present before
- Any lumps or changes in the surrounding tissue
What Are the Most Common Problems With Breast Implants?
Understanding what can go wrong with implants is the first step in catching problems early. These are the most common issues detected during a Breast Implant Health Check:
Silent Rupture
Silicone implants can develop tears or leaks without causing any noticeable symptoms which is why these are called silent ruptures. The silicone gel may remain within the scar tissue capsule and cause no immediate pain or visible change, but left undetected, it can migrate and cause further complications. Ultrasound imaging is the most effective way to detect a silent rupture before it becomes a more serious problem.
Capsular Contracture
When the body forms scar tissue around a breast implant which is a normal response; it occasionally tightens and hardens. This is known as capsular contracture. It can range from mild firmness to significant distortion and discomfort. Early detection through a health check allows for non-surgical or minimally invasive treatment options before the condition progresses.
BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma)
BIA-ALCL is a rare but serious condition associated with certain textured implants. It is not breast cancer, but a cancer of the immune system that develops in the fluid or scar tissue around an implant. The primary symptom is a sudden and persistent swelling of the breast, often years after surgery. Regular monitoring and awareness of this condition is an important reason to attend annual checks.
Changes in Breast Tissue
Implants can make it more difficult to detect natural breast lumps or early signs of cancer during routine mammograms. Specialised ultrasound imaging during a health check ensures that the surrounding natural tissue is assessed properly; something a standard mammogram alone cannot always achieve when implants are present.
Implant Displacement or Rotation
Over time, implants can shift from their original position. While this does not always require treatment, a health check will detect any movement and allow your clinician to advise on whether intervention is needed.
Where Can I Get a Breast Implant Health Check in Ireland?
The Avoca Clinic is the only clinic in Ireland offering a dedicated Breast Implant Health Check service. The service is led by a Consultant Radiologist who specialises in implant assessment and produces a comprehensive written report for every patient on the day of their appointment.
Importantly, the service is open to all patients, not just those who had their surgery at The Avoca Clinic. Whether your implants were placed in Ireland, the UK, Europe, or anywhere else in the world, you are welcome to attend for a check.
The Avoca Clinic has multiple locations across Ireland including Dublin, Wicklow, Dundalk, Limerick, Cork, and Belfast, making it accessible to patients nationwide.
How Much Does a Breast Implant Health Check Cost in Ireland?
At The Avoca Clinic:
- Existing or previous Avoca Clinic patients: €350
- New patients: €380
This includes the full ultrasound examination by a Consultant Radiologist, the same-day written report, and any guidance or recommendations provided during the appointment. No referral from a GP is required.
How Do I Book a Breast Implant Health Check at The Avoca Clinic?
Booking is entirely online, no phone calls required. To book your Breast Implant Health Check:
- Go to avocaclinic.ie
- Click the 'Book Non-Surgical' button
- Select Breast Implant Health Check from the list of services
- Choose your preferred date, time, and clinic location
- Receive instant confirmation directly to your inbox
2026 appointment slots are currently available.
Do I Need to Get My Implants Checked If I Have No Symptoms?
Yes. This is one of the most important points to understand about breast implant care. Many of the most serious implant complications including silent ruptures and the early stages of BIA-ALCL present with no symptoms at all. By the time symptoms appear, the problem may have progressed significantly.
Attending an annual Breast Implant Health Check even when you feel completely fine is the most effective way to catch problems early, when they are easier and less invasive to treat.
Think of it like a dental check or a smear test; you go not because something is wrong, but because catching something early makes all the difference.
What Happens If a Problem Is Found During My Check?
If anything of concern is identified during your Breast Implant Health Check at The Avoca Clinic, your Consultant Radiologist will explain the findings clearly, include them in your written report, and outline the recommended next steps. This may include a follow-up scan, a referral to a specialist, or a surgical consultation depending on the finding.
The Avoca Clinic has a full team of plastic surgeons and medical specialists on site, meaning that any necessary follow-up care can often be arranged within the same clinic.
Can I Get a Breast Implant Check If I Didn't Have My Surgery at The Avoca Clinic?
Absolutely. The Avoca Clinic's Breast Implant Health Check is open to everyone, regardless of where your surgery was performed. Whether you had your augmentation done in Dublin, London, Turkey, or anywhere else, you are welcome to attend.
Many patients who come for a health check at The Avoca Clinic had their original surgery elsewhere and simply want the reassurance of a professional, thorough assessment from a Consultant Radiologist. Others come because they have lost contact with their original surgeon, or because they are not sure when or if they were ever given a proper check.
What Is the Difference Between a Breast Implant Check and a Mammogram?
A mammogram uses X-ray imaging and is primarily used to screen for breast cancer. While mammograms are an important part of general breast health, they are not designed to assess the condition of implants and can be less effective in patients who have implants, as the implants can obscure surrounding tissue.
A Breast Implant Health Check uses ultrasound imaging, which is specifically suited to assessing the integrity of implants, detecting ruptures and leaks, and evaluating the tissue and fluid around the implant. For anyone with implants, an ultrasound-based health check is the recommended form of specialist monitoring in addition to, not instead of, routine mammography.
How Long Have The Avoca Clinic Been Performing Breast Implant Health Checks?
The Avoca Clinic has been specialising in breast procedures since 2012 and has performed thousands of breast surgeries in that time. The Breast Implant Health Check service is led by Dr Amr Hamid, a Consultant Breast Radiologist who specialises exclusively in implant assessment. His expertise in this area is what makes The Avoca Clinic's service unique in Ireland combining specialist radiology with same-day results in a dedicated clinical environment.
Summary: Key Facts About Breast Implant Health Checks in Ireland
- Annual checks are recommended for all women with breast implants
- Many serious implant complications have no visible symptoms
- The Avoca Clinic is the only provider of a dedicated Breast Implant Health Check in Ireland
- The service uses consultant radiologist ultrasound and provides a same-day written report
- Open to all patients regardless of where surgery was performed
- From €350 for existing patients, €380 for new patients
- Book online at avocaclinic.ie, no referral or phone call needed
- Clinics in Dublin, Wicklow, Dundalk, Limerick, Cork and Belfast
The Avoca Clinic | Ireland's leading cosmetic surgery group | avocaclinic.ie To book your Breast Implant Health Check, visit avocaclinic.ie and click 'Book Non-Surgical'.