I'm 56 years old, should I remove my breast implants before I'm too old?

If you aren't have an issue, then leave them in.   I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified, Double Fellowship-Trained Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

My answer is somewhat in the middle of the below suggestions.  First, yes, implants are a ten year product but can last much longer.  The best way to screen for a leak is by getting a MRI.  It would be appropriate to do so now.  If you are healthy overall, and the implants are OK, no need to get them removed.  But, that being said, it would be perfectly reasonable to be proactive, remove (and possibly replace the implants if desired,) and do a breast lift at the same time.  I wish you the best of luck!

Breast implants do not need to be removed if there are no problems with your breasts or your breast implants. Age is not enough to disqualify you from breast implant removal/replacement. If you are a good candidate and otherwise healthy, you can have the implants removed/replaced in one surgery. If the implants are removed, there will likely be flattening and drooping that can be corrected in large part with a breast lift and new implants.   As far as the volume that is attained, that is a bit difficult to predict given the time of 16 years that you have had large implants thinning the remaining tissue.  Removal followed by a waiting period could also be considered. Find an expert at all aspects of breast surgery and set up an in office consultation.
 

As others have said, if there is no problem with the implants and you like your breast size and shape, then there is no reason to remove them.

660 cc implants weigh over 1 lb each and since they are too big for you then they should be removed.  The technique I recommend is explantation using The Bellesoma Method.  The implants are removed, your breast tissue is reshaped creating upper pole fullness, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided and nipple sensation in maintained.  At the same time or later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear 2014Anna,as long as you are happy with them and don't have issues, you should not remove them. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

If you are in good health and are having no issues with your implants, there is no need to remove them.  If however you would like smaller implants, as you suggested you feel yours may be too large for your preference, you can proceed with removal or an exchange at any time.  There is no specific timeline for when implants need to be removed.

Thank you for the question;  I am sure that there are many women in your situation who will benefit from the responses here. In my opinion, assuming you are healthy, your age is not a major factor. Again, assuming you are an overall good health, women much older than yourself are able to undergo elective breast surgery safely. What IS a factor however is that you feel that your breasts are too large:  based on these concerns, downsizing of breast implants or removal of breast implants seems to be indicated.   Of course, definitive advice would require in person evaluation, including physical examination and careful communication of your concern/goals. Ultimately, whether to undergo further downsizing or have the breast implants removed altogether will be a very personal decision that only you can make after careful consideration of your goals (as well as the pros/cons associated with each option).   In my practice, I encourage patients who feel that they may be pleased with the outcome of  breast implant removal surgery to be "implant free";  doing so will minimize the chances that additional surgery will be necessary in their lifetimes.   I ask these patients (who are undecided) to show me how "small" they are willing to (when it comes to breast size);  this careful communication helps patients make a decision whether to proceed with additional downsizing or to have the breast implants removed altogether.
 If you choose to proceed with downsizing surgery,  adjustment of the breast implant pockets (capsule adjustments) as well as additional breast lifting (revision of your previous breast lift) may be necessary to achieve the outcome you are looking for. Much will be dependent on your physical examination;  specifically, factors such as the amount of redundant skin and  quality of skin elasticity will be important.
 Generally speaking, the best online advice I can give to ladies who are considering revisionary (downsizing) breast augmentation surgery is:
1. Concentrate on choosing your plastic surgeon carefully. Concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic surgeon to achieve the results you are looking for. Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.
2. Have a full discussion and communication regarding your desired goals with your plastic surgeon. This communication will be critical in determining breast implant size/type/profile will most likely help achieve your goals. 
In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or "down a cup size” or "C or D cup" etc means different things to different people and therefore prove unhelpful.
Also, as you know, cup size varies depending on who makes the bra; therefore, discussing desired cup size may also be inaccurate. 
3. Once you feel you have communicated your goals clearly, allow your chosen plastic surgeon to work with you in determining the best plan to achieve your goals.
I hope this helps. Best wishes with your decision-making at for an outcome that you will be pleased with long-term.

Dear Anna,First, you are not old (because I am older than you and I am NOT old!!).Second, if they are not broken, do not mess with them....unless you desire to be smaller and then you may either remove them or replace them.  WHen a saline implant leaks, you get a "flat tire" over the course of 2 days.  Then you may be forced to remove or replace them.  I have exchanged 26 year old saline implants that were perfectly fine.As long as you remain healthy, the removal or exchange of implants is a very short and safe procedure.Best of luck with your decision.Dr T

Saline-filled breast implants are designed to last a lifetime and do not have to be removed or replaced after X number of years. Age of the patient is no direct relation to this issue if there are no other problems going on with the breasts. Saline-filled implants have the advantage of telling you if they've failed and there is no health issue because of this. It is also possible to do a simple removal (no capsulectomy) removal of saline-filled implants in an office setting with just local anesthesia.