What's Your Breast Implant "Return Policy"?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by John P. Di Saia, MD
Question viewed 284 times

Are breast implants designed to last forever, or do the implant companies provide a guideline for the length of time that a pair of breast implants should last?

What are the most common causes of implant failure and what unusual causes for failure have you seen?

Do patients ever try to "return" breast implants? What is your policy for such situations?

We're working on a story about the longevity of breast implants - thanks for your answers.

5 answers to What's Your Breast Implant "Return Policy"?

Never had a patient try to return her breast implants

Hello, I have not yet had a patient try to return her breast implants. Occasionally patients want them larger after surgery. Most often with time this desire fades away. As far as how long they last: I usually tell patients they tend to rupture (saline filled implants) at 10-15 years, but individual wear varies. Larger implants seem to rupture earlier than smaller ones. Silicone implants are another question as they do not show easy detectable signs when they rupture. They more likely... more

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

For your story, the manufacturers would be the best resource

Eva S: Our typical per-op discussion includes discussion of the longevity of breast implants. Simply put, they are high tech plastic bags, which move with your movements throughout each day. It should be no surprise that they may wear out eventually. Factual information and statistics for your proposed article will best come from the implant manufacturers (Mentor / J&J, Natrelle / Allergan). Saline implant deflation is easy to diagnose and more simple to treat. Detection of gel... more

Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon

They are not lifetime devices

Implant companies and plastic surgeons will all tell you that an implant is not guaranteed to last your lifetime. It is possible that the implants may perform well for decades and only need occasional monitoring. The FDA recommends that women who get silicone implants after the Nov 06 approval have an MRI 3 years after surgery and then every 2 years thereafter. This is quite a conservative approach but that was the recommendation with approval. There is no "return" policy if... more

Michael C. Edwards, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.medwardsmd.com

Implants are not lifetime devices

All implant companies and surgeons will advise patients that implants are not intended to last a lifetime even though some will. Most commonly they will fail through leakage, usually by something call fold failure whereby the folds and creases in the bag will fracture or crack, sort of like bending a credit card until it cracks. Each implant manufacturer has different warranties that provide for certain benefits in the event of a leakage because they know some will fail. You can get... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

You should contact Mentor and Allergan

Most of your questions can be answered by the two major implant manufactures, Mentor and Allergan. As for the "return policy," I have only hav one patient in 20 years want their implants taken out early postop. This was a peculiar situation caused by a family conflict and an arranged marriage. So, there really isn't a return poilcy but they are extremely easy to remove.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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