How long do breast implants last? When should you replace them?

I have had breast implants for 14 years and I am now developing a large rash under my left breast, and it hurts and I feel alot of air pockets. One doctor told me to replace them every 10 years and another told me you never have to replace them

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38 answers to “How long do breast implants last? ...”

A: Today's Improved Breast Implants Should Last Many Years

By David L. Mobley, MD - Sarasota Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants are now designed to last for decades and deflation rates are only about 1% per year. Most patients will never need replacement for this reason. I tell my patients that even after 15 years of practice, I see very few deflations and rarely change an implants for this reason.... more

A: How long do breast implants last?

By Joel B. Singer, MD - Stamford Plastic Surgeon

Hi, That's really a difficult question to answer because there are many factors that will affect the longevity of a breast implant. In your case, you may be experiencing some problems with your implant that need to be addressed such as the cause of the rash and "air pockets". If you had your implants... more

A: Longevity and replacement of breast implants

By William Bruno, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Saline and silicone implants have a deflation/rupture rate of about 10% during the first decade after they are inserted. Some women are fortunate and can go 10-20 years with implants, while others are unfortunate and can experience a deflation in the first year or two. The chances that you will have a... more

A: Breast implant last: The actual word-for-word FDA recommendations

By Ricardo A. Meade, MD - Dallas Plastic Surgeon

I'll address the more pressing issue first. We are told many different answers on how long one should go with breast implants. Some of the more senior surgeons respond that the FDA recommends that we tell our patients that the FDA recommends we exchange implants at 15 years even if they appear intact. Once the... more

A: Implants have different lifespans

By Christopher Costanzo, MD - Thousand Oaks Plastic Surgeon

There is no set time that an Implant will last without rupturing. However, here is what I have observed after 23 years of experience: Silicone Implants last longer than Saline Implants. I have seen women with intact Silicone Implants after 25 years. Saline I've seen last as long as 17 years. Smooth... more

A: Replacing Breast Implants

By Farbod Esmailian, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

There really is not need to replace them if you are not having any issues. The implants have a lifetime warranty and could perhaps last that long but most often revisional surgery is needed to perhaps perform a lift or go larger or smaller. At that point most surgeons would replace the implants... more

A: No set rule as when to change breast implants

By Sanjay Grover, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

It is impossible to tell someone exactly how long their implants may last. It is possible that it could be for a lifetime. However, I tell my patients that they should not have breast implants placed unless they are open to having another surgery some time in their lifespan. Patients do need to... more

A: Lifespan of Breast Implants

By T.Y. Steven Ip, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

The decision of replacing implants depends on your type of breast implants (saline vs. silicone). Your breast implants can be replaced when the implants fail. This can be 5 years, 10 years or even 30 years.The detection of a fail saline implant is very simple. The breast with the failed breast... more

A: breast implants replaced when needed

By Christopher L. Hess, MD - Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants are designed to be left in for a lifetime. With that said they all have an approximately 1%/year rate of rupture. And studies have indicated that a majority of women who undergo breast augmentation will need another surgery within 25 years. Now that doesn't mean necessarily... more

A: Breast implant exchange myth

By Tom J. Pousti, MD - San Diego Plastic Surgeon

There is no time limit as to when or if you need to exchange your breast implants. I have heard from patients that they have heard that breast implants need to be changed every 10 years. The only reason you need to exchange your breast implants is if you are having a problem with them or if you'd like to... more

More answers to How long do breast implants last? When should you replace them?
Atlanta - Only necessary to replace a breast implant if shell is ruptured
Birmingham - There is No Expiration Date!
Cherry Hill - A rash and air pockets?! Go see your doctor!
Chicago - When to change implants
Englewood - There is no ‘expiration date’ for breast implants
Leesburg - Breast implants do not expire.
Los Angeles - It depends....
New York - When Implant issues arise professional evaluation essential
New York City - Several issues in one question
Orange County - Implants can be replaced for elective reasons such as a...
Orlando - Experience will vary
Palm Beach - Trust but Verify
Pasadena - You should see an experienced plastic surgeon
Pleasanton - Generally there is no expiration date.
Raleigh-Durham - Breast Augmentation: Can Breast Implants Last a Lifetime?
San Clemente - On average, breast implants last 10-15 years
Santa Barbara - Usually 10-15 years
Seattle - Yours sound like they may need to be replaced
Southlake - No Fixed Answer
St. Charles - Replacing Breast Implants - Saline vs. Silicone

Comments

drpancholi
14 posts
4 Jul 2008

Pamela, The first issue for you is to find out what is causing the rash and pain under your left breast. Is it possible that this is from your implant? Pretty unlikely, but certainly, a remote possibility. Do you have saline or silicone implants? The air pockets you feel could possibly be the wrinkles and ripples of the implant shell - much easier to feel with saline implants especially if there is little tissue covering over the implant. Now, should you go and swap out your implants just because time has passed? Not so much. If your implants aren't causing problems and aren't deflated, there is no need to assume the extra cost, risks of surgery, risks of anesthesia, risks of capsular contracture, and discomfort. Who knows, your implants may last 20-30 years. Why pay the price in dollars, risk, and pain if you don't need to? With the saline implant you will see your breast get smaller and smaller over 48-72 hours. Often this is associated with a feeling of nausea and dizziness. If you have gel implants, you should be monitoring them as the FDA recommends: An MRI 3 years after your implants were placed, and then every two years as long as you have them. Your MRI reports will let you know if your implant has been compromised and needs to be replaced. Good luck!

Gramma
6 posts
23 Mar 2009

I have had my implants for 30 years now, I am 58 yrs old and they have now both ruptured. I do not ever remember the surgeon telling me that I would have to have them replaced. I am scheduled to have them removed in approx. one month. I would never advise anyone to get implants of any kind. I am nervous about this operation but I am also looking forward to having the implants removed as they had been 'hard' for about 10 years now. I will not be having any other implants added and I can't afford to have anything like an uplift done so I figure I won't have too much breast left and they will more than likely not be pretty. It kind of bothers me because I have seen what breasts look like after having implants removed, but then I think about how I will feel after they are out and I can lay on my stomach or give my grandkids a hug without feeling like their heads are hitting a couple of hard rocks. When I went to see the surgeon that is removing them he was very surprised that I've had my implants for 30 years...actually he was 'really' surprised. He has never heard of anyone having them for that long..Maybe my case is rare I don't know. Anyway, I've heard others say 10 - 15 years is usually the maximum use you get out of the 'silicone' implants..Whether or not this is true I have not idea. The only thing I would advise anyone with implants is that they 'do' get an MRI every 2 years for the first 10 years and then once a year for the next 5 years.

Venece
2 posts
7 May 2009

I had silicone implants (250cc)about 9years ago. In the past few months I have developed pain in my right armpit area and a thickening of the tissue there. I had a mammogram and ultra sound - only showed cysts in my breast. Could this be related to my implants? What is my next step?

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Diane Richard
3 posts
15 May 2009

I am a lady of 70 years old who had silicone breast implants 40 years ago and 2 weeks last week I had a mammogram and the finding was that there is an inferior and medial "bleed of the left implant which is contained. The breast parenchymal pattern is predominantly fatty. Impression: Medial and inferior bleed of the left silicone implant which is contained. No mammographic evidence of malignancy, Continued annual surveillance. I need to know if I could died from it and what else I could do without any money living on a fix income of social security of $674.00 monthly (total) income. Thank you in advance for reading me and my problems and wish someone will find a solution to my problem. Diane Richard

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Gramma
6 posts
25 May 2009

Well, I am just giving an update to my operation which I had about 3 weeks ago. I had both Silicone Implants removed and I haven't felt this wonderful in over 20 years. I am so happy with the results. I had a most wonderful Surgeon and for any Canadians out there who are having problems with implants, I would recommend him to anyone considering having the operation. I don't know if I should be writing this here, but I feel so 'normal' again and just wanted to share my results with anyone who is about to have the same 'implant removal' done. Well, that's about all, God Bless

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Diane Richard
3 posts
26 May 2009

Gramma, thank you to let me know about your last surgery and comfortable you are right now. I am thinking about doing the same and I would like to know how your doctor did it and if he toke away the silicone back??? is it looking ok or bad? Let me know please. Also canadian grandma Diane who is an american now. Thank you in advance