The high-quality silicone and saline implants used for breast augmentation at Northeastern Plastic Surgery in Florham Park, New Jersey, are usually long-lasting. However, as durable as breast implants are, they don’t always last for a lifetime.
One common question asked by women considering breast augmentation with implants or who’ve previously had the procedure is when they need to replace their implants. Board-certified plastic surgeon Joseph Fodero, MD, PA, explains the typical life expectancy of breast implants and when you know you need a replacement.
If you haven’t chosen to remove or change your breast implants for personal reasons, you can expect breast implants to last for many years. How long your breast implants last varies, but in general, you can expect to replace them roughly 10-20 years after the procedure.
The American Association of Plastic Surgery estimates one in five women have their breast implants replaced within 10 years of the original surgery. This means most women’s implants last at least a decade.
If you’re satisfied with your implants and they aren’t causing you any problems, you don’t need to replace them at any specific point. That said, you should keep an eye out for indicators that your breast implants need to be replaced.
If you notice any of these signs, you might need to replace your breast implants and should contact our team for an evaluation.
A rupture of deflation of your breast implants means they need to be replaced as soon as possible. When they’re not replaced in a timely fashion, ruptured implants can increase your risk of internal scar tissue or developing an infection.
You can notice a rupture in your implant or deflation because your breast implants begin to change in size or shape. This can happen suddenly after impact or develop over time as your implants age.
Some types of implant ruptures can’t be detected without additional tools like an MRI, so it’s important to have our team check your implants out annually to ensure they’re still in good shape.
Capsular contracture is a rare side effect of breast augmentation surgery with implants that causes your breasts to develop too much scar tissue. It usually develops within two years of the original surgery.
Symptoms of capsular contracture include firming and hardening of your breasts, pain, and changes to the appearance of your breasts. Sometimes, capsular contracture can require revision surgery or removal of your implants.
Over time, your implants can develop ripples in them, change shape, or move significantly in a way that causes changes in the way your breasts and implants look. These changes aren’t usually dangerous but are still a sign it’s time to change your implants.
With time, your implants can droop from gravity or other changes like large weight loss or gain. New implants help your breasts become lifted and perky again.
Even if your implants are still healthy, you might want to change your appearance, which requires replacing them. You might decide you’d like larger or smaller implants or even remove them altogether.
If it’s time to replace or remove your implants, Dr. Fodero begins by making an incision under your breasts. He removes your implants and, if needed, any scar tissue.
If you’re getting new breast implants, Dr. Fodero inserts them next. He closes the incision area with stitches to complete the surgery.
Like any other procedure, following our team’s aftercare instructions can speed up recovery and reduce the risk of complications.
Most breast implants are long-lasting, but they usually need to be replaced eventually. Contact us to have your implants checked and schedule replacement surgery.
