How long do breast implants last?

The average life span of any implant is about 10-12 years. But in your specific situation, it depends on which type of implant you have. If you have the saline implant, then unless it is deflated, no need to change anything. I have seen saline implants last for 26 years. You will know once they have leaked as your breast size will get smaller on the one side. At that point return to your original surgeon, or find a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

If you have silicone gel implants, then you will need an MRI to evalute whether or not the implant has leaked. Your body will not resorb the silicone gel, and therefore, you will not notice a size change. Sometimes, you may have symptoms such as firmness or shape change.

Noting the year you had your original surgery, more than likely you have silicone gel implants. I would suggest going back to your original surgeon for an evaluation. If that is not possible, then find a board certified plastic surgeon to review your options and obtain an MRI to see if the implants have leaked. If so, you can consider replacement.

If you saline implants and you have no problems....leave them alone.

If you have silicone and they were placed in 1984, they are what we consider 2nd generation silicone implants. The 1st generation were hard and the 2nd generation were soft in response. These implants tended to generate the complaints that we associate with silicone implants today mainly firmness (capsular contracture) and silicone rupture. The silicone in the 2nd generation was about the consistency of rubber cement and it is a messy removal process when ruptured. Therefore, it is in your best interest to find out if it is ruptured as soon as possible to facilitate removal at an early date. The best test for this is the MRI.

Currently we are in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation implants which are collectively considered cohesive gel implants with the 5th being nicknamed the "gummy bear" implant. These implants are composed of a thicker silicone which tends to remain intact when ruptured.

With many of the original formulations of the implant shells (which are silicone regardless of whether you have silicone implants or saline implants) the quoted amount of time was an average of 10-15 years.

This number was based on reoperation rates and it is important to remember that these re-operation rates included all reasons.  Indications for reoperation for patients with breast implants include:

1.  capsular contracture or scar tissue forming around the breast
2.  undesireable appearance of the breast implants - patient wishes to be larger, smaller or does not want implants anymore
3.  implant rupture or leak
4.  implant infection

Implant rupture is only one of several reasons that people have revision surgery. 

The new implant shell formulations probably last longer than older shells but many of the other reasons that people have surgery still contribute to that average of patients having revision surgery every 10-15 years.

I hope this helps.

Hello,

Older generation silicone gel implants after 20 years have about a 95% likelihood of rupture. You probably want to get an evaluation by a good plastic surgeon to help guide you. Maybe an MRI would be useful, but an evaluation is a good place to start.

Best Regards,

John Di Saia MD

There is probably no reason for concern. Breast implants do n ot need to be repalced at a certain time. They may last 10 or 30 years. As long as you are happy with the shape and softness you can wait.

Having said that, and knowing that they have been in for almost 25 years,  I would meet with your origianl surgeon if he/she are in your location or start to meet and find a surgeon you would be comforatble with.  The odds are over the next few years the device will fail. Most commonly device failures do not casue any problems and many times are found on incidently on routine mammograpy.