When Should I Have Breast Implants Replaced?

asked 3 years ago by emily7036 in Douglas, GA
Latest answer by Peter E. Johnson, MD
Question viewed 2,219 times

I had a breast augmentation in December 2000. I was wondering, when do I need to have them replaced? Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks!

10 answers to When Should I Have Breast Implants Replaced?

They only need to be replaced if there is a problem

There is no expiration date for breast implants-- some last 20-30 years or more, others need to be replaced within a few years. In general, the reasons they need to be replaced include deflation, leak, contracture, movement, or cosmetic dissatisfaction, and about 20% of women have their implants replaced within the first 10 years after their procedure for one of these reasons. If they look and feel great and you're happy with them, don't replace them.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants do wear out over time

Breast implants do wear out over time and all will eventually leak. The shell or container of the breast implant is a silicone rubber elastomer, not to be confused with silicone gel material. The rubber membrane is coated to reduce leakage, and the outer surface is occasionally textured in the belief that it will reduce capsular contracture, or help maintain the orientation of the implant. In the year 2000 we used many saline implants in augmentation of the breast, and many silicone gel... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Breast implants don't last forever

Dear Emily, There are 2 components to all implants: The shell and the filler material. The shell in all FDA approved implants available in the USA are silicone. The filler material can be either saline or silicone. The saline is basically salt water at the concentration that is equal to our body's salt water concentration. So if it leaks, it gets absorbed by the body with no harmful effects. What the patient would notice is that the breast that has the leaking implant has decreased in... more

A. Peter Salas, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Unless you have a deflated saline or ruptured gel imppant, or unless you have a capsular contracture, or unless you are unhappy with the size or need a lift, don't do anything. I have seen patients with 35 year-old saline implants who would have had 4 "tire changes" if they went in every 10 years for an exchange - and they never would have needed one of them!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

It depends on whether you have saline or silicone implants.

Hi! 1) If you have saline implants, you never need to replace them unless one leaks. You know it's leaking because your breast will gradually get smaller. 2) If you have silicone implants, you might have a leaking implant and not know it, because the silicone stays in place and the breast doesn't change. So we recommend an MRI of the breasts every two years, because the MRI will pick up a "silent" leak in a silicone implant

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

2000 was a very good year

Emily, I guess it's unanimous so far. I agree with every other respondent that your implants only need to be replaced if there is a problem with them. Many implants can last for twenty years or more. The newer generation implants are more likely to last longer than the 10 year average life span that is quoted today because they are made with a stronger shell. You should be following up with your surgeon annually for an implant check. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

There is no Expiration Date

Implants can fail overtime. The average is about 1% per year, meaning in 10 years 10% chance, 30 years 30%, etc.Just live your "normal" life and if you have saline devices, you will know it if they fail. Gel implants may never manifest signs of failure. Am MRI or ultrasound are ways to assess these devces.

Michael S. Beckenstein, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

You don't

Implants that are giving you no problem, do not need to be replaced, no matter how old they are. If you become unhappy with them, you may opt to change them at that time. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Replace them only if you are having trouble

Most implant companies give you a warranty on your implants, either 5 years or 10 years. That does not mean you need to do anything at the end of the warranty period. If your implants are fine, leave them just the way they are. A few years ago, I took out a set of saline implants that were 27 years old. The patient just wanted larger implants. The old implants were like new! An analogy is the car you drive. A car usually has a 5 year warranty but that does not mean you turn in the car... more

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Replace your implants when there is a problem.

One of the most interesting Urban Myths I run into almost every day is the concept that breast implants need to be replace after a certain time span, usually reported to be 10 years. There is no time table for replacing implants like there is to change the oil in your car. I have saline filled implants that are doing fine well over 20 years. If there is not a problem with the breast or implant then there is no reason to replace them. Now if the implants leak, go flat, get hard, break,... more