What is the lifespan of Ideal Implants?

Question

Do Ideal Implants need to be replaced in 10 years like normal saline implants? I heard they do not ever need to be replaced as long as there are no complications, is this true?

Ellen A. Mahony, MD · Answer

The warranty is for the lifetime of the implant!I've had implants for about 14 years and have never replaced them.  BUT, it I needed to, I would choose IDEAL.Reasons for replacing implants include leak, contraction, change in breast shape with time, personal preference.  Misconception is that many warranties are only for 10 years....IDEAL is for a lifetime.Check the link below!In good health,Ellen Mahony, MD

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, as with any kind of surgery, the longevity of successful results or in this case, the implants, will all depend on the skills of the surgeon, the facility, and the diligence of the patient to follow the correct aftercare. Not all implants need to be replaced after 10 years UNLESS they are ruptured. Choosing the kind of implant will depend on your goals and what the patient's body can handle. It is best to have an in-person examination to a board-certified plastic surgeon that has extensive experience with this kind of implant and discuss realistic goals and expectations. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

The 10 year rule is arbitrary and an Ideal implant that has not leaked should not need to be replaced.  The longevity of the Ideal Implant would vary from patient to patient.

David J. Wages, MD · Answer

The duration or lifespan of any implant is predicted to be at least ten years.  The manufactures of these implants do rigorous testing and design to identify factors that lead to premature rupture of implants.  The design of the ideal implant suggests that because of a dual lumen with a more structure stability it may be more durable.  In the early studies of the ideal implant this seems to be holding up to a longer duration than expected.  Although one implant may last longer there will always be exceptions.  One advantage of a saline implant is that one will know clinically if the implant has ruptured or leaked as it will shrink.  Because of the dual lumen design it will not fully collapse and therefore one will be able to identify a leak and not feel the urgency of needing it replaced due to complete collapse.  As long as the implant is not ruptured it does not need to be replaced, whether it is an ideal implant, saline implant or silicone implant.

Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding the lifespan of IDEAL Implants.  Although no implants are considered lifetime devices and may at some time need to be replaced if they leak, there is no reason to automatically replace any implants after ten years.  Many women in my practice seem to like the reassurance that if the IDEAL implant has a silent rupture, they do not completely deflate, and that only saline (salt water) is leaking into their body and not silicone gel.  I hope this helps.

Stephen U. Harris, MD · Answer

All breast implants that are intact do not have to be replaced, even at 10 years from the initial augmentation surgery.  With a traditional saline implant and an Ideal Implant (a structured saline implant), the patient will have peace of mind knowing that if the breasts look and feel normal, that the implants are intact.  Silicone implants can also rupture, and because the gel usually stays within the scar capsule, the patient may not be aware of the rupture; hence the FDA recommendation for MRIs to look for "silent rupture" and assess the integrity of silicone implants after breast augmentation every few years. 
The Ideal Implants have shown lower rupture rates than the traditional implants over 6 or 7 years of FDA reported data.  So, in general, as you suggested, if there are no issues, there would be no need to replace an Ideal Implant after breast augmentation.

Charles T. Slack, MD · Answer

This idea that implants need to be replaced at 10 years is reaching urban legend status. Breast implants don't need to be changed just because they a pass a date on a calander. I'm not sure where this idea got started but it is not true. This is true for any silicone or saline implant including the Ideal implant. What you should understand about implants is that they are man made products and as such they can have problems over your lifetime that may require them to be replaced. These problems include deflation, capsular contracture or changes in your breasts over the years ( weight changes pregnancy, loss of skin tightness, etc ). Some of these things can occur in the first months after surgery or may not happen for 30 years but it is not like a timer goes off and your implant explodes at 10 years. The chance of having a leak at 10 years is somewhere between 10-20%. All implant manufactures warranty their implants against leakage for lifetime. This means that you will receive a free implant and in some cases two implants if you have a leak not due to trauma ( car accident ). In addition most companies have warranties that will provide you with some money to help with the other costs of replacement for 10 years. Capsular contracture occurs in around 5-15% of patients depending on which studies you look at. Now implant companies are providing warranties for capsular contracture by providing a new implant to replace the old one. The length of these warranties varies. In general, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Mark T. Boschert, MD · Answer

The ideal implants can last as long or longer than other implants. There is no truth to the statement that implants need to be changed every 10 years. That is a rumor that is perpetuated on the Internet and by  surgeons who apparently need to trick people into more surgery!  Any implant can last decades without problems. As long as you're happy with your results and the implants are intact there is no reason to ever change them. Just so you know the first woman who got a pair of gel filled implants in 1962 still has that same pair today!  Best of luck!

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Whether the Ideal Implant will last as long as traditional implants is yet to be determined; however, saline implants in general do very well with longevity; breast shape is often retained even 20 to 30 years following augmentation; The ideal implants don't have to be exchanged until they rupture. So far, we have no problems with the ideal implants.

What is the lifespan of Ideal Implants?

Answers (9)

More Ideal Implant Questions

Choosing the right size IDEAL implant for BWD 14cm - is bigger better? Or will it increase complication risk? (photos)

Will Ideal implants prevent rippling?

What's the safer route for me, the new Ideal Implant or the "Gummy Bear" implants?

Ideal implants, is an A to D cup realistic? (photos)

Has anyone seen the results of the 'Ideal Implant' with the separate chambers of saline and layers within the implant?

Ideal Implants for bony chest/little natural breast tissue?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS