It is not necessary to exchange the implants unless there is a problem.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA
This is definitely one of the most common myths in plastic surgery. I'm not sure how it started, but hopefully it wasn't because of someone trying to make more money. The fact is that most implants will last longer than 10 years, and unless there is some particular issue with your implants, they do not need to be changed. Keep in mind that implants are 'things', and are subject to wear and tear and could eventually break down, but the timeline is usually much longer. For saline implants, I have not had a rupture for 15 years. For silicone cohesive gel implants, it appears that we are approaching 15-20 years based on the European experience. You will never have to change saline implants unless they break, at which point you would know within a day or two because your breast would deflate. My guess is that at some point a finite lifespan will be determined for the silicone cohesive gels, and we'll replace them based on the research available or the manufacturer's suggestion, before there are any ruptures or problems, but I would think this will be 20 plus years at a minimum.
Thank you for your question. This is a very common question and misconception. Implants do not have an expiration date when they need to be replaced. In truth, you do not need to have implants replaced unless you are having a specific problem with the implants. This could be a number of things from a rupture, scar tissue making the implant feel firm, scar tissue shifting the implant, sagging of the breast tissue, etc. If you are happy with your implants and are not having any problems with them, then you don't need to replace them.
