Which Breast Implants Are Most Likely to Last a Lifetime?

Patients and surgeons spend way too much time focusing on "implant failure" as a leading cause of revision breast surgery, but it is not. In fact, implant breakage is not even among the top 10 reasons that women undergo a second operation. The most common reasons have to do with drooping, size change, scar tissue, implant malposition, and others. Those are not avoided with any particular implant, nor are they caused by any specific implant. They are avoided by good... more

There are no implants on the market that I am aware of that last a lifetime. The manufacturers of breast implants have dramatically improved their design over the years. This, along with the government (FDA) scrutiny of these implants (twenty years), offers the physician and the consumer a wider variety of safe, long lasting implants to chose from. Unfortunately, we still see some implants, whether they be silicone or saline, fail early after surgery. This may occur for a variety of... more

Unfortunately, no implant lasts a lifetime.  But, the implants made today are better than thos made 10-20 years ago.  I inform patients that implants are not a lifetime product and that they have to assume somewhere down the road they will need another surgery on their breasts.

Marta: Surgeons and patients share a desire for long-lasting breast implants, but the facts are that they are temporary devices. They move with each movement of your body, and we want them to do that. They undergo pressure, rubbing, etc within your body. This cannot be expected to go on forever without wear and tear on the device. Implants from Allergan and Mentor, whether filled with saline or silicone gel eventually will need replacement in most women. Choose your plastic surgeon... more

Hi, No implant is known to last a lifetime. These are man-made devices, and they do wear out with time. That being said, some patients do have implants that have been in for more than 20 years without issues. However, the risk of rupture increases after 7-8 years. We cannot predict who will have ruptures and who will not. If you do have breast implants placed, you should anticipate that you will need to have them exchanged to new implants in about 10 years. Good luck....

A breast implant is a man-made device that cannot be guaranteed to last a lifetime.  While occasionally they do, this can never be guaranteed.  All implants currently FDA approved are probably about the same in their durability.

Unfortunately, all of the implants carry a <1%/year rate of rupture. No one has an answer to the rupture question so it's a toss up as to if yours will rupture or not. Typically women who undergo breast augmentation will need another surgery within there lifetime. This may be to elevate the breasts due to sagging at which time the implants should be changed out. The benefit of silicone filled implants is that if the implants rupture the silicone will be trapped by the capsule... more

Although current breast implants are more durable than implants from 20+ years ago, they cannot be said to last a lifetime. Every patient who has breast surgery should be told that it is likely they will have other breast surgery in the future whether it be an implant-related issue or a soft tissue change. Dr Edwards

We don't know precise numbers on breast implant survival. Probably about 90% of saline implants will be intact at 10 years. We have no data on the silicone implants since they have been back on the market for only a short time. It is best to figure that you will have to change your implants some day.

 This is hard to say for sure, so I will guess.  Based on the fact that silicone implants do not have a valve, my guess would be them.  Possibly the gummy bear types.  However, any may fail, including early after implantation.   sek

While the current rupture or failure rate of implants is approximately 1% over 5 years, most patients have a replacement some time in their life. This may not be due to implant failure, but changes in the woman's breast after pregnancy, nursing or aging. Not uncommonly, patients get to a point they desire a change in shape or size, which requires an implant change. The newer implants are far superior to the implants from even just 10 years ago. The outer shell is more resilient. The... more

Both saline and silicone implants have a limited life span - typically about 10-12yrs. I have seen them last less than that and much longer than that. If you are getting breast implants you should know that they are not lifetime devices and at some point in your lifetime you may require replacement surgery. That is not any different than any other product we use in our lifetimes - computers, cars, houses - and all these cost more than breast implants. Breast implants are good products... more

Average lifespan of a breast implant is about 12 years. This is true for both silicone or saline implants regardless if they are smooth or textured. If you are getting implants, you should have the expectation that they are not life long devices and that they most likely will need replacement in the future. However, you just might be one of the lucky patients who never have a problem, and your implants might last a lifetime.