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Antique Silicone Implants - Should I Have Them Removed?

asked 1 year ago by Las Vegas8736 in Las Vegas, NV
Latest answer by George John Alexander, MD
Question viewed 792 times
Tags: silicone implant, removal

I had silicone breast implants done 30 years ago and my last mammo showed them intact. Should I have them removed because they are old?

21 answers to Antique Silicone Implants - Should I Have Them Removed?

Antique implants

Congratulations, 30 years is remarkable! While it is good news that your mammogram is normal, the “Gold Standard” for detecting a ruptured silicone implant is a MRI study. If that confirms that they are intact and you are happy with their appearance, there is typically no need for plastic surgery. More accurate advice can be given after an examination and review of your studies by an experienced board certified plastic surgeon

George John Alexander, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Antique silicone gel implants

While I'm glad that your mammogram was normal, it isn't really the best test to look at implants - it's better for examining the breast tissue itself. Mammograms can miss more subtle implant problems. I'd prefer if you had a normal breast ultrasound or MRI. If those were normal, then I'd be OK with leaving the implants alone for now. Changing the implants is something you will have to address eventually. The surgery and recovery are not... more

Thomas Fiala, MD
Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon

Should older silicone implants be replaced?

The make of implants from 30 years ago is different from current FDA-approved silicone gel implants. It is possible that in spite of a negative mammogram that the outer shell of the implant has leaked but typically any silicone is contained within the scar surrounding the implant called the capsule. If you really want to avoid surgery but want to make sure the implants are intact, a breast MRI would be the best atarting point. I hope this helps. Dr Edwards

Michael C. Edwards, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.medwardsmd.com

Remove and exchange very old silicone breast implants

One point to made is that you are in no health risk by doing nothing. On the other hand, the likelihood of an intracapsular leak in 30 year old breast implants is very high and often the leak is not detected on mammogram. Intracapsular leak is when the gel is leaking and present within the scar capsule formed around the implant in the healing process. When the gel contacts the capsule it can cause irritation and tenderness, calcifications, and eventually capsule contracture. You could wait... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Very old silicone gel implants

Mammograms do not reliably show rupture of implants. We have all seen many cases, particularly in very old silicone gel implants, where the entire implant shell was degraded, and they appeared normal on mammogram. MRI is better for detecting leakage or rupture than mammogram. Statistically, implants from 30 years ago are probably ruptured.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Antique Silicone Implants - Should I Have Them Removed?

Regarding: "Antique Silicone Implants - Should I Have Them Removed? I had silicone breast implants done 30 years ago and my last mammo showed them intact. Should I have them removed because they are old?" LOVE your description! Just because something is new, does not necessarily make it good and just because something is old does not necessarily mean it is bad and needs to be replaced. Our roads have plenty of vintage cars which run perfectly well. Since breast... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Thirty year old silicone implants: should they be removed.

In general, I don't feel they should be removed if they are intact. The real question is knowing if they are intact. Although your mammogram provides some reassurance, and MRI is a better test with higher sensitivity.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Only if you want something to change....

If you like the way your breasts look, there is no reason to have your implants changed out. If they are not causing you any problems, you don't need new implants. There are a few reasons to exchange your implants - if they are ruptured, if you have capsular contracture (bad scar tissue formed around the implant), or if you want to change the size.

Bivik Rajnikant Shah, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Antique Silicone Implants - Should I Have Them Removed?

Well, as you can see there are a variety of opinions on this subject. I would tell you that I am a big believer of the if it is not broken don't try to fix it, however, I have been putting in implants for almost 30 years and I will tell you that your implants are not in the same shape they were in when they were first placed. The older generation implants were not built like the current implants and often rupture. Further the technology we have to determine whether an implant is... more

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Ruptured implants

30 year old implants are usually not visibly ruptured, but every single one I've visited (in the pocket for one reason or another) I notice that the implant is very oily and the silicone is not visibly ruptured but has lost its turgor. It has been sweating oily stuff all along. Your mammogram won't see this. Your MRI may not even see this (it will see that the implant is ripply and shaped as though it were deflated but it won't demonstrate spillage so many... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Older implants

I have removed implants older than 30 years old only when there was a problem. The older generation implants have a thinner envelope and runny silicone so if they are broken it should easily show on imaging. Howeve if they do not pose a problem for you and they are intact I see no reason to subject yourself to surgery unnecessarily. Best of luck

Dana Khuthaila, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants Are Only Replaced When They Have A Problem

While your silicone breast implants may be in the antique range by automobile standards, they appear to be working just like they were new. As long as you are happy with their appearance and feel, and your mammogram shows no suspicion of rupture, there is no benefit to replacing them. Breast implants do not need to be replaced just because they are old. Most patients will not get 30 or more years of uncomplicated use of an indwelling breast implant, but this is one time... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Old breast implants

If your ammmogram was ok then you can leave them alone. The gold standard exam would be an MRI if you really want to be sure.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Replacement of old Silicone Implants

I was placing silicone implants when you had yours done. Most of those are still in place and doing well. If you are having no problems, then do nothing. Surgery itself is much more dangerous than leaving an old implant.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Leave older implants alone if all is well . Age is no reason to remove in and of itself.

Age is not a significant factor to cause implants to be removed. If your otherwise okay do not have replacement. If its not broke do. not fix it is the rule. I have seen patients with implants 30 plus years and doing well. If you have problems, need a revision otherwise, want larger, want smaller, want a lift, etc then, of course new implants are in order. Surgery has risks. If you are fine and happy with your breasts, there... more

George Commons, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon

www.pacfps.com

Antique breast implants

30 years is a long time. Mammograms are not very sensitive to implant integrity. Most implants that I come across that are 20 or more years old are either ruptured or the implant shell has completely disintegrated, leaving only the silicone fill. I think it would be wise to consider replacement. Even MRI is not 100%, and often mis-diagnoses ruptures for intact and vice versa, although the MRI is the most sensitive non invasive test available. more

Amy T. Bandy, DO
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Antique Silicone Implants - Should I Have Them Removed?

Very hard to answer the not broke attitude. 30 years is quite a long time. I recommend replacement with the new silicone which are so much better. Regards from MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Silicone implants and exchange

I always tell patients that "if it ain't broke..then don't fix'em!" Leave them alone unless you are having problems with them.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Old Intact Silicone Implants Need Not be Replaced

There is no reason to replace your silicone implants simply because they are old if you are otherwise happy with your breasts. It is fairly remarkable that they are still intact after 30 years, but you incur risks if you replace them since all operations entail risks. If you replace them, the is no guarantee that the new implants will not rupture in a short period of time.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Do I need to have my old implants exchanged?

There are many women who have implants placed several years ago which are still intact and look great. If that is the case with you, then there is a possibility that you may not have to do anything. However, that being said the newer implants are definitely better constructed and will potentially feel more natural than their older counterparts. My suggestion would be to see a local Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and discuss your question with him/her and explore your... more