One of the most frequently asked questions regarding breast augmentation surgery is how long prospective patients can expect their implants to last. This blog discusses breast implants in detail, covering whether they expire, when they need to be replaced, and what your breast implant removal options are.
Table of Contents
- Breast Implants
- Do Breast Implants Expire?
- When Do Breast Implants Need to Be Replaced?
- What Are My Breast Implant Removal Options?
Breast Implants
Many women view full, voluminous breasts as a desirable sign of femininity. Breast augmentation with implants can be a fantastic option for women who want to increase their breast volume and add some curves to balance their silhouette. This procedure can transform the bustline, correct breast asymmetry, and improve overall confidence.
There are many different options when it comes to implants, and many choices that you get to make (including implant shape, profile, placement, etc.). However, one common question that comes with any breast implant procedure is: How long will the implants last? The answer often helps prospective patients determine if breast augmentation will be worthwhile for their needs and goals.
Do Breast Implants Expire?
Many people want to know if breast implants have an expiration date that they should be aware of. The answer is not necessarily; however, implants are not designed to last a lifetime. Most silicone and saline breast implants can be expected to last around 10 to 15 years if no complications arise. Some women have had their implants for 20 or more years with no issues. However, several factors may make a woman decide to remove or exchange her breast implants.
Some surgeons may recommend that patients remove or exchange their implants after 10 to 15 years, even if the patient hasn’t experienced any implant issues. Each breast implant removal case will vary, so it’s important to discuss this with your surgeon so they can guide you on what will work best for your needs and goals.
When Do Breast Implants Need to Be Replaced?
To help you better understand the longevity of breast implants and why some women may choose to remove them, we’ve broken down some of the most common reasons.
Change in Personal Preferences
As humans, our personal preferences evolve over time as we go through different life stages. Whether you’ve had your breast implants for one year or several years, it is completely valid to feel like you’ve had a change of heart. Some women may feel that their implants are too big or get in the way of an active lifestyle, while others may wish they had chosen a larger size to truly complement their figure. Additionally, some patients may decide that they simply want to return to their natural breasts and don’t want to deal with implants anymore.
Whatever the reason, breast implant revision surgery can be performed to address your new needs and goals. This procedure is customized to fit your evolving preferences and address implant-related issues.
Sagging Breast Tissue
No one’s breasts are immune to the force of gravity and the natural aging process. Over time, as collagen and elastin production slow and breast tissue sags, the breasts may droop. This sagging appearance can significantly impact the overall breast contour. When this happens, patients may choose to get a breast lift, remove their implants, exchange their implants for a smaller size, or a combination of these options.
Capsular Contracture
A natural part of the breast augmentation recovery process includes the formation of scar tissue around the implants. However, there are cases where this scar tissue will harden and contract around the implant. This condition is known as capsular contracture, and it results in the breasts feeling firm or hard to the touch and can create sensations of pain, tightness, or severe tenderness. If capsular contracture develops, it is likely that a capsulectomy procedure will need to be performed to remove the hardened scar tissue and the implants.
Implant Rippling
Sometimes the breast implants can wrinkle beneath the skin, resulting in the appearance of implant rippling. This can be caused by losing a significant amount of weight post-breast augmentation, scar tissue forming around the breasts, or saline implants losing some of their volume.
Implant Rupture
Saline and silicone implants can rupture, causing the implant fluid to leak and the overall breast volume to decrease. Saline implant ruptures are typically easily noticeable since the implant will burst and visibly deflate. On the other hand, silicone implant ruptures are often more challenging to detect, as the remaining silicone gel remains cohesive, and some silicone unnoticeably leaks into the body. An MRI screening may be necessary to detect a silicone implant rupture.
What Are My Breast Implant Removal Options?
If you’re ready to remove your breast implants, your options may include:
- Removing the implants and going back to your natural breast size
- Exchanging your implants for a different size, material, shape, profile, etc.
- Removing your implants and getting your natural breasts elevated with a breast lift
- Removing your implants and replacing them with the same type of implants
- Exchanging your implants and also getting a breast lift to eliminate sagging
Have More Questions About Breast Implants in Ontario, CA?
Are you considering breast augmentation? Or do you already have implants and are wondering if breast implant removal or breast implant revision is necessary? Either way, Dr. Troy Andreasen can provide expert guidance and recommendations to help you get your desired results.
Schedule a consultation with our team at our Ontario office or through a virtual visit so we can get you started on your breast surgery journey. Contact us by calling (909) 291-4900 or completing our online form.
