Breast Implant Revision: Q&A

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I Have Saline Implants from 12 Yrs Ago. Should I Replace Them Before One Ruptures or Wait?

I have noticed the look has changed a bit. I had a consult and it was suggest I switch to silicone. The Doctor said it is the scar tissue pushing on the implant. Last concern I am very worried about Silicone but I am very thin and can feel the rippling with my saline implants. Are silicone safe? Thank you!

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rippling 12 years post-op saline to silicone

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by kiwi777

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Saline Implants (12 Yrs Ago). Should I Replace Them Before One Ruptures?

Implants should be replaced when they deflate or become hard and distorted. If they look good (you are happy with their shape, appearance, and size) and they are not causing you discomfort symptoms, don't exchange them. If you have scarring around the implants, pain, or palpable rippling through your skin, discuss your surgical options with your surgeon. Capsule releases and gel implant replacement could improve both the feel and appearance of your breasts. The new gel implants... more

12 year old saline-filled breast implants

In my opinion there is no validity to the idea that breast implants have to be replaced after 10 years. One of the advantages of saline-filled implants is that they tell you if they need replaced and there is no harm from their failure. One or the other could need to be replaced at any number of years after they were put in. Gel-filled implants currently have no evidence to support the idea that there is harm to you with a simple failure of the implant but even today there is no easy way to... more

Replacing implants

If your main concern is the rippling of the implants, it,makes sense to switch them for silicone. silicone implants have been shown to be quite safe and the new implants are much more durable than the ones used many years ago. Silicone implants have an increased risk of capsular contracture and it is harder to detect a broken silicone implant compared to saline. These are some of the issues you should consider I making your decision. Good luck!

Replace 12 Year Old Saline Implants

Although you are getting to the time where we start to see more deflations, that does not mean you need to replace your implants now unless you just want to. It is more convenient to not have to deal with a deflation, but conceivably you might get several more years from your current implants, so it is just an option. However, if you are having trouble with capsular contraction (tight internal scar tissue around the implants) or if you don't like the feel of the saline implants and... more

Silicone Gel Implants offer Beautiful Results

Saline implants were our only option for many years while silicone gel implants were under evaluation. Patients have found that gel implants offer a significant upgrade, including a better feel, softness, reduction of implant rippling, and lower leakage rates. When you decide that you would like an improvement with your breasts, consider an implant exchange.

Removing/Replacing Breast Implants Necessary? Is

Thank you for the question. You should consider undergoing revision breast surgery if you are having a specific problem with the current breast implants. Exactly what operation and what type of implant will best meet your goals will depend on your motivation for undergoing the procedure. For example, if you are considering undergoing revisionary breast surgery to improve the rippling, then you should consider the use of silicone breast implants and/or allograft reconstruction.... more