I'm Having Gel Breast Implants Put in and Was Wondering How Long They Should Last?

I'm 5'7" and 150 lbs and having gel implant put in under the muscle. I'm wondering how long should the implants last. I'm just worried about them being high maintanence in the fact of replacement or complications...

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Muffintop4

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How long do implants last?

It is hard to predict how long your implants will last. There are all sorts of numbers being posted for implant revisions, and ruptures, etc.. Some patients can last a lifetime not having additional surgery. But, I always preface to patients before having implants, than based upon the studies, you hvae to assume some time down the road you will need additional surgery for whatever reason this caould be in a year or 20.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants and how long the should last

This is a good question and one that we're often asked. There is no expiration date on implants, so if they look and feel fine in 5, 10, or 15 years, then we usually recommend leaving them alone. That being said, there are some statistics to consider. The rupture rate is about 1-2%/year, and if you look at all women having breast augmentation in the US, about 30% or so have revision procedure within the first 10 years after their augmentation. Now this could... more

How Long do Gel Breast Implants Last?

This is a hard question since it depends on the how easy it is to diagnose a ruptured gel implant. Based on studies by Mentor and Allergan (the two implant manufacturers in the USA), the rupture rates for primary breast augmentation are: Mentor 1% at 3 years Allergan 9% at 7 years It is best to have a discussion with your Board Certified plastic surgeon about the actual implications of these numbers for you.

Duration of Gel Breast Implants

As we all know no man-made device or structure lasts forever. Can you think of your last car? Refrigerator? Dishwasher? Eventually, your breast implant(s) will weaken and leak. While a leak with saline breast implants becomes obvious in a few days with a sudden breast deflation this is not the case with gel implants. You may or may not have any symptoms and a MRI may be required for the diagnosis. The goods news is you only pay once for breast implants in the US. Once you pay for one pair,... more

Silicone Gel Breast Implants Lifespan?

Thank you for the question. There is no known “lifespan” of silicone gel breast implants. You are however correct in being concerned about the potential for complications and/or need for replacement. Also, the FDA recommends MRI surveillance ( for “silent leakage") every few years. Complications that can occur that may require revisionary surgery include leakage of the breast implants, capsular contracture, implant displacement/malposition,... more

Gel implant lifespan

We get asked this question all the time. With tongue in cheek I tell my patients they will last as long as a new vacuum cleaner. They laugh, then look puzzled and then they get it. Nothing lasts forever and we never know ahead of time when something will fail. Go into this with realistic expectations, ie if you get breast implants there will be further surgry of some sort at some time.

Lifetime Of Gel Implants

No one knows for certain the exact lifetime of current generation gel implants. Studies are underway at this time to try determine this. Implant manufacturers will typically replace the implants at no charge if they fail.