Which breast implants are most likely to last a lifetime?

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12 answers to “Which breast implants are most...”

A: you're asking the wrong question...

Steven Teitelbaum, MD

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... more

A: Unfortunately no implant should be expected to last a lifetime.

David Rankin, MD

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.... more

A: nothing is lifetime

Bahram Ghaderi, MD

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.... more

A: Lifetime implants are not the norm, but it can occur

David A. Dreyfuss, MD

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... more

A: No guarantees.

Scott E. Kasden, MD

 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

A: No breast implant will last a lifetime

G. Gregory Gallico III, MD

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.

A: Implants do not come with a guarantee

Michael C. Edwards, MD

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... more

A: None

Christopher L. Hess, MD

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... more

A: Simple answer is NONE

Richard P. Rand, MD

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.

A: Implant lifetime

Nina S. Naidu, MD

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... more

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