Do Mentor Memory Gel Implants Need to Be Replaced Every 10 Years?

Silicone gel implants by any manufacturer do not need to be replaced every 10 years. They should be replaced only if there is a clinical indication to do so.

Thank you for your question. It's important to know that implants do not require replacement simply because you've had them for a certain amount of time. Implants can last indefinitely, but most women should plan to have some type of surgery every 10 to 15 years. This may include a size change, changing from saline to silicone, or replacement after rupture. Saline implants have a 10% risk of rupture over 10 years. The latest silicone-gel implants have a 2.5% rupture risk over nine years. If things are going well, and there is no implant rupture, then I recommend not having any surgery at all.

Both Allergan and Mentor recommend changing out both saline and silicone (gel) implants every 7 to 10 years.  With that being said I don't recommend replacing implants unless there is a issue with them.  In addition the companies suggest an MRI every few years to check for rupture. Because of the cohesive nature of the silicone implants a rupture is undetectable without an MRI, CT or Mammogram. When a saline implant ruptures it deflates.  It is not the same case with gel implants.  

   If you are getting regular MRIs to detect silent rupture, then silicone implants do not have to replaced until clinically indicated.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

You are right in that you only need to exchange the implants if there a failure of the device.  However, if you wait until there is a diagnosed rupture you are at increased risk for capsular contracture.  Surgical correction of capsular contracture is a big deal.  So waiting until a rupture has occurred is putting your body at risk.  The analogy i give my patients is you don't wait until a tire blows out to replace your tires.  You realize there is tread wear and replace them easily and conveniently.  Same with your breast implants.  Exchange them around 10 years in a simple, quick operation.