How long do breast implants last? Do breast implants have an expiration date?
Millions of women all over the world have experienced the benefits of breast augmentation since the first breast implant was invented in 1964. Although it is not a perfect procedure and there are complications, current breast augmentation is considered a safe procedure. Many women who have implants now wonder how long do breast implants last? Should they change out their breast implants if they are not having any problems? What are the current breast implant guidelines regarding changing out your implants for new ones? How do I even know if my implants are not working properly?
There is a big difference between saline and silicone implants. Saline implants have a firmer silicone shell with the inside filled with saline solution. If they rupture or leak, your breast will become smaller, and the shape will change. Silicone implants have a firm silicone shell with silicone gel like material inside. If they fail, it’s often “silent” as the implant still works to support breast shape and size. However, over time, symptoms such as pain, breast firmness (contracture) and implant malposition may become noticeable. This is your only clue your implants are no longer intact.
The Food and Drug Administration has provided us with their recommendations regarding implant surveillance: MRI or ultrasound of the breast every 5-10 years. In real life, few patients engage implant scans if they are not having any issues with their implants. In addition, these scans are not 100 accurate in their ability to determine if an implant has failed.
Breast implant illness or BII is a term used to describe patients who have various symptoms that they believe are caused by their breast implants. There is little scientific evidence that implants cause systemic health problems. Nevertheless, patients who have breast implants and a newly diagnosed health problem are often concerned about their health and consider breast implant removal as a way of alleviating stress and anxiety. Patients may no longer want something unnatural in their bodies that they believe may be contributing to health problems.
Implants placed at the time of breast augmentation are brand new and intact. Once inserted, the clock starts ticking and they will fail eventually often directly related to time. An analogy is putting miles on your tires—eventually they will wear out and need replacement. The older your breast implants, the more likely they will have a leak in the implant shell (statistical probabilities). Saline implant leaks may be obvious whereas silicone implants you likely will have no symptoms whatsoever.
What is the take home message that you need to understand? If you have breast implants of any age and you are doing perfectly fine, it is unlikely that you will do anything or need to do anything medically speaking. If you are having complications with your breast implants such as pain, change in shape, concerns about medical illness and breast implants, firmness or asymmetry you should consider an evaluation with your plastic surgeon and discuss your options including implant exchange or removal. If you have had breast implants for any period of time, and you are considering a “lifestyle” change such as smaller/larger implants or a breast lift, this is a good opportunity to change out your implants. I recommend to my patients that they consider replacing their breast implants after 10-15 years if they have the means and desire.
