Breast Implants Expiration?

asked 3 years ago by purplemama in artesia ca
Latest answer by Ronald Friedman, MD
Question viewed 1,255 times
Tags: 1 year post-op, duration, expiration date, longevity

I had a breast augmentation last year of 2008 of May and i want to know if the implants have an expiration do i need to remove it after years or do another surgery and put new implants. If i didn't replace it with new one what will happen?

10 answers to Breast Implants Expiration?

Your breast implants will not "expire"

Breast implants, once placed in the body, do not have an expiration date. Many women are under the misperception that implants have to be replaced every 10 years. While the manufacturer warranties the implants for 10 years, they are designed to last far longer. Remember that these are man-made devices and will probably not last as long as you do. Most saline implants eventually deflate, and most silicone gel implants eventually rupture. The majority of breast... more

Ronald Friedman, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

There is no set rule as to when to change your breast implants

There is no set rule as to when you should change your implants. Your implants, whether they are Allergan (McGhan) or Mentor (J&J) are warranteed for your lifetime in case of deflation or rupture. You should try not to stress or change your lifestyle to try to avoid implant failure.

Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Saline breast implants do not have a "use by" date

After the moratorium on silicone gel implants was reversed in November 2006, many of my patients who have saline implants called to ask whether they should "trade up" to silicone gel implants. I think this represents a general perception that breast implants are man made devices and as such have a finite life span and will need to be replaced for any of the following reasons: a) implant leakage; b) desire for size and/or style (shape & filler composition. Patients... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

No defined expiration date for implants once implanted

Hello, Breast implants do not have a defined expiration date once they are placed. Unless there is a specific problem such as implant rupture or scar tissue formation around the implants (capsular contracture,) breast implants do not need to be removed at any particular time.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Not a Carton of Milk!

Implants do not have an expiration date. They can fail over time averaging about 1% or less. Just live your life and if they fail, you address it. Saline devices will deflate, gel devices may not present any signs if they fail. Detection of gel failure is with an MRI and soon an ultrasonic method.

Michael S. Beckenstein, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

They do not have an expiration date

Implants are not meant to be lifetime devices but they can leak if they are saline or the shell may crack if they are silicone. Both cases would indicate a need to replace one or both implants. I tell my patients proper follow-up and care of your breasts and implants is very important but basically, if they are not broken, don't fix them. Dr Edwards

Michael C. Edwards, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.medwardsmd.com

Breast implants do indeed wear out

Breast implants do not expire, though some time in your life they are likely to wear and leak and will be in need of replacement. Implants can begin to leak after seven years though ten to twelve years without problems is very possible. How a leak is handled depends on what type of implant you are wearing. In patients who have selected a saline implant in augmentation, the implant can literally be left alone until it wears out. When a fracture of tear occurs in the saline implant the... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

No expiration

There is no stated expiration date by which you need to exchange them. On the other hand, manufacturers state that the implants are not lifelong devices and can be subject to leakage or rupture and thus may need to be replacement. Usually there is a warranty with the implants and even an extended warranty through which you can purchase additional benefits. Discuss the circumstances under which your implants might need to be removed with your surgeon

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

You should have asked this question before your surgery.

This is not a Cinderella story, at Midnight on the 10th year your boobs go away. They are guaranteed for your life against breakage. Ask you doctor these questions --- I assume you paid him for the surgery so take advantage of what you got.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants

Companies that make breast implants warranty them. You should find out what brand implants you have and see what type of warranty the company offers. If there is nothing wrong with your implants, no matter how long they have been in, there is no need to do anything.