Do I Need to Have 10 Year Old Saline Implants Replaced?

If you’re bothered by implant size, shape, rippling or
malposition it’s always reasonable to exchange your breast implants.However, exchange of a breast implant because
they’ve been present for a set period of time isn’t necessary.There’s
a general misconception that breast implants should be replaced every ten
years.The origin of this belief is
unclear, but is probably secondary to misinterpretation of implant warranty
terminology.The
manufacturers of breast implants clearly state that these devices aren’t
intended to last a lifetime, despite this, many patients can expect to have
implants last their entire lifetime.Current studies suggest that implants deflate at a rate of one percent
at one year and three percent at three years.Over time, this number can be expected to grow.Implants
may deflate with no apparent cause or may deflate secondary to some type of
trauma.Under these circumstances, the
decision to replace the implant is easy.If a patient is doing well and not having problems with their breast
implants, we see no reason to routinely replace implants just because a set
period of time has passed.If you’re concerned about the appearance of your
breasts, it’s appropriate to consult your plastic surgeon.Your surgeon should be able to address your
concerns and alleviate your anxiety.

Some implant manufacturers recommend that implants be replaced every 10 years. This is a recommendation, not a requirement. However, an implant exchange is fairly simple with minimal downtime if the implant is intact. If the implant is ruptured, the surgery can be more complicated.