How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
Many patients considering breast augmentation also want to know how long their breast implants will last. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, today’s breast implants are designed to last for more than a decade after breast augmentation, with the chance of rupture increasing by one percent each year. Therefore, the older your implants are, the greater the risk of ruptures and other breast implant complications.
Dr. Ken Smart uses the most advanced breast implants and proven techniques to ensure beautiful, long-lasting breast augmentation results. If you are wondering how long implants last or wondering whether it’s time to replace your existing implants, schedule a consultation at Frisco Plastic Surgery & MedSpa serving Frisco, Plano, and all parts of North Texas.
Average Lifespan of Breast Implants
While every case is different, most implants are built to last for more than a decade before needing replacement. Some implants can last up to 20 years before needing replacement. The lifespan of your implants will depend on how old they are, your body, and how well you take care of them.
Tips for Helping Your Implants Last Long
Caring for your implants properly can help them last longer. Here are some tips for taking care of your implants and helping them last as long as possible:
- Follow any and all post-surgery guidelines provided by Dr. Smart
- Wear your support garment or surgical bra throughout your recovery
- Attend all of your follow-up appointments and check-ups
- Schedule MRIs every three years after your breast augmentation surgery
Choosing a highly qualified, board-certified surgeon like Dr. Smart can also help you have a successful surgery free of post-operative complications.
When to Remove or Replace Breast Implants
Breast implants may need to be removed or replaced because of migration, hardening, ruptures, or rippling.
Migration
Gravity causes breasts to droop as time goes on. Weight changes can also cause stretching and sagging of the breasts. When your body changes, you may notice asymmetry in your breasts or nipples. Replacing your implants, getting a breast lift, or a combination of both can help turn back time.
Hardening
Capsular contracture is the hardening of scar tissue around one or both implants. This hardening may happen more than once to the same breast and can cause:
- Tightness
- Tenderness
- Changes in appearance
Rupturing
When a saline implant ruptures, it is because of an opening in the implant’s shell. Saline breast implants leak and deflate, similar to a water balloon. Saline is biocompatible. It is the same ingredient found in contact solution and IV fluid. As saline flows out of the breast implant shell, your body reabsorbs it. Saline breast implant ruptures can happen suddenly or leak gradually over a few days. The affected breast will lose its structure and appear noticeably different from the other breast.
Meanwhile, silicone implants are made of silicone gel. When a silicone implant ruptures, the viscosity of the silicone causes the gel to linger within the implant or surrounding scar tissue. Silicone ruptures usually go unnoticed, so this is why they are nicknamed a “silent rupture.”
If a rupture occurs with either silicone or saline implants, the implants will need to be replaced.
Rippling
Implants can develop wrinkles or ripples. In extreme cases, you can observe these variations through the skin or feel these ripples when you touch your breast. If you see or feel creasing in your implant, you may want to consider removing or replacing it.
Schedule a Free Consultation to Learn More
Whether you want to learn more about the longevity of breast implants or think you might need to replace your existing implants, schedule a consultation at Frisco Plastic Surgery & MedSpa. Board-certified surgeon Ken Smart can talk to you about how long implants last and talk to you about ways you can help your implants last longer. Call (972) 334-0400 or message us online for a consultation.