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















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!
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.
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?
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
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
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