Anyway to find out what implant I have 17/18 years ago? (Photo)

Hello, thank you for your question! The plastic surgeon should have given you a patient identification card. A patient identification card contains information such as the manufacturer of the implant, the style and the serial number. If you do not have this card in your possession, another option you may have is to directly reach out to each company that was given to you. Silicone and saline implants are typically registered under your name, birth date, and social security with the make of the company. Unfortunately without this card, there is not much that one can do to find out which implant was used on you 17/18 years ago. The only option you would have at this point is to have your plastic surgeon remove your breast implants during surgery. I hope this information is useful! Thank you!

If your augmentation was just a straight first time augmentation prior to November 2006, then you have saline implants- could be Mentor or McGhan (aka Inamed aka Allergan). I can usually guess within 50cc or so by examining a patient. If your surgery was done at a hospital there may be an op note. If your surgery was in someone's private office, then the records sound like they are gone. This comes up with regularity because I perform so many revisions. When we don't know, and I can guess pretty close, we come up with an algorithm like this- let's add 200cc, so if you have 400cc I'm going to put in 600cc. Then I being a wide array of options to the O.R., remove your old implants, measure them, and then select your new implants. I would say this occurs in 20% of my patients who cannot find their old records.

It is possible that the implant manufacturer will have a record if your surgeon registered them for the warranty. Another simple thing to do is to have an ultrasound to determine whether they are saline or silicone; it is likely that they are saline because silicone implants were approved in 2006. If they are saline, then you could have a percutaneous deflation which would determine the volume.

Your surgeon probably only keeps records for the required 7 years. You might try the surgery center where your implants were done. In most of these cases, the volume will be on the implant when it is removed. If not your surgeon could do a water displacement test to determine the volume. For the removal and replacement you can change your implant volume and/or type and make any necessary adjustment to the implant pocket.

Thanks for your question! You may need to contact the surgery center or hospital at which the procedure was performed. They may have the records. I would also recommend reaching out to the manufacturers.

The short answer is no. However, if you had your procedure done at a surgery center or hospital, they might have the records. Usually records are destroyed by 10 years.

If your surgeon registered your implants with the manufacturer, then you have a chance at discovering which one and the volume.
Most commonly 18 years ago the two companies manufacturing implants were Mentor (owned by J&J now) and McGhan (Know as Natrelle implants today).
If you have decided on your surgical procedure and desired size, then several options are available.
If you have saline implants, they may be deflated days prior to your procedure which allows your surgeon to order the correct replacements.
If silicone, then I judge the size and shape (depending on your desired wish pics compared to your present anatomy and size) and order 4 different sized implants so I can place the correct one no matter what is found at surgery.
Best wishes.
Dr. T