Longevity and replacement of breast implants

Saline and silicone implants have a deflation/rupture rate of about 10% during the first decade after they are inserted. Some women are fortunate and can go 10-20 years with implants, while others are unfortunate and can experience a deflation in the first year or two. The chances that you will have a "reoperation" after your initial surgery is about 25% in the first 10 years. This means one our of every four patients will have another breast surgery in the first decade. This is usually due to a request for size change (typically to go bigger), capsular contracture (scar tissue), deflation, malposition, rippling, or to switch from saline to silicone.

You only need to change your implants if you have a rupture/deflation or some other problem causing you to have symptoms. If you have silicone implants and your follow up MRI reveals a rupture, the FDA recommends removing and replacing the implant.

Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon prior to considering breast augmentation.

Best wishes.

Patients who see their doctors annually have their implants in an average of 10-15 years. However, that doesn't mean they need to be replaced during that interval; many patients have their implants even longer and are problem-free. However when problems such as the ones described here come up, it is imperative to see your doctor to have an examination.

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 Regarding your rash - i would definitely see your surgeon as soon as possible.

In regards to when to replace them, I share the same opinion as a lot of the others on this forum - if there is no problem with your breasts and they look fine, there really is nothing to do. Now if you have a change in shape, increased pain, develop hardness or lumps, change in volume, these are reasons to consider doing something or exchanging them.

You need to be examined by a competent and experienced plastic surgeon. Whether or not an implant needs to be replaced is independent of your symptoms. Generally speaking, implants do not have to be replaced unless they are not functioning in the way that they were intended. If we are talking only about leakage, saline implants will demonstrate leakage by a decrease in size or shape. Silicone implants may not change the breast size, shape or consistency, thus the "silent" leak.

Rash and discoloration may indicate leakage of silicone implants or thinning of the overlying soft tissue with either saline or silicone implants but without leakage. Both may indicate a need for re-operation. It is the fact the we know that implants may not last a lifetime and can leak that requires your situation be given serious examination. 

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Any time there is a new finding, certainly "air pockets" and a rash, you should see your plastic surgeon.

You didnt mention whether you have salin or silicone gel implants. Typically when saline implants fail

there is an obvious change in shape and volume of the breast. Mnay times when gel implants fail, the gel i  contained in the natural capsule around the device and there may be no outward noticeable change.  Most often failed gel implants csue no local problems and are "asymptomatic" and noticed on routine mammography.

After a thorought history and exam by your plastic surgeon, he or she may decide to get an MRI to more fully assess the integrity of the implant.

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Both major US breast implant manufactures have a lifetime warranty on their implant, as well as a 10 year warranty on the replacement cost, if they deflate.

Therefore, your implants are good forever, but statistically, according to the FDA, most women tend to change their implants (not beacuse of the implants) within 18-20 years.