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

Sort: Date | Helpful

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

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

A: Breast Augmentation: Can Breast Implants Last a Lifetime?

By Michael Law, MD - Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

While breast implants do have the possibility of lasting a lifetime, the implant manufacturers do not consider them 'lifetime devices' as the possibility exists that over time the outer shell will fail. Saline breast implant failure is quite obvious when it occurs, for when a saline implant leaks, the... more

A: Usually 10-15 years

By Brent Moelleken, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Patients who see their doctors annually have their implants in an average of 10-15 years. However, that doesn't mean they need to be replaced during that interval; many patients have their implants even longer and are problem-free. However when problems such as the ones described here come up, it is... more

A: Generally there is no expiration date.

By Steven H. Williams, MD - Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

As most of the other doctors have mentioned - Implants do not necessarily need to be changed out at any interval. The numbers you hear people talk about are based on averages of people that have had the implants replaced. The most often cited number is (again... on average) every 10-15 years people will need... 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: There is no ‘expiration date’ for breast implants

By Stephen A. Goldstein, MD - Denver Plastic Surgeon

There is no ‘expiration date’ or specific time when breast implants need to be exchanged or removed. We counsel our patients prior to their breast surgery that they must willingly accept the concept that there is a reasonable chance that they may need to have their breast implants replaced or... 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: Replacing your implants... or not!

By Adam David Lowenstein, MD - Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon

Like any device in medicine or, in fact, life for that matter, breast implants can fail after a period of time. This may be in the form of a rupture of the outer shell of the implant, causing the saline or silicone to leak out. With saline breast implants, the saline is absorbed by your body without a problem,... 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: Replacing Breast Implants - Saline vs. Silicone

By Bahram Ghaderi, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants are not lifetime devices. However, they do not need to be changed unless they have ruptured. A typical implant will last over 10yrs. I have seen some that have lasted over 25-30yrs. With saline-filled implants the diagnosis is easier. The saline that leaks out of the implant is... 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
Dallas - Breast implant last: The actual word-for-word FDA recommendations
Leesburg - Breast implants do not expire.
Los Angeles - It depends....
New York - When Implant issues arise professional evaluation essential
New York City - If you're not having a problem with your breast implants,...
Orange County - Replacing Breast Implants
Orlando - Experience will vary
Palm Beach - Trust but Verify
Pasadena - You should see an experienced plastic surgeon
Raleigh-Durham - Implant replacement is a personal choice, just like the...
San Clemente - On average, breast implants last 10-15 years
Sarasota - Today's Improved Breast Implants Should Last Many Years
Seattle - Yours sound like they may need to be replaced
Southlake - No Fixed Answer
Stamford - How long do breast implants last?

Comment on this

Comments

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?

View 1 reply
reply

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

View 3 replies
reply

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

View 2 replies
reply

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