How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

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How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

For the most part, no one should plan for their breast implants to last a lifetime. Most breast implants can be expected to perform satisfactorily for anywhere from 10-25 years. Outside of issues of wear-and-tear and performance, you may decide to replace your breast implants for cosmetic reasons, like increasing size.

Breast Implants Tend To Last 10+ Years

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There is no way to predetermine the expiration date of your breast implants because there really isn’t an expiration date. The implants could last for many, many years – even decades – without your needing to revise or replace them. Having said that, most breast implant manufacturers provide a 10-year warranty, which is why a decade is often the rule of thumb many people rely on. But it’s certainly possible that you may want to revise your implants before the decade-mark or after; it’s completely individual.

Reasons to Replace or Remove Breast Implants

How long your breast implants last really depends on a number of factors. First of all, if and when some issue related to the function, form or safety of the implants arises, that issue must be corrected. Then, if there is some cosmetic or appearance-related reason you voluntarily elect to replace your breast implants. For the most part, breast implant replacement may be recommended:

  • To change the size of the implants and breasts (increase or decrease)
  • To correct capsular contracture or another complication
  • To replace ruptured breast implants
  • To replace breast implants that are visibly rippled
  • To revise results once asymmetry appears with age
  • To revise breast implants that have rotated or become mal-positioned

There are other possible reasons. Working with Dr. Brucato, you’ll be able to monitor your breast augmentation results and follow up should you have any questions about revision.

Saline vs. Silicone: Is There a Difference in Longevity?

There is no inherent reason why one type of breast implant would last longer than the other. There’s no evidence that silicone fill is longer-lasting than saline, or vice versa. One way they do differ is in the detectability of a rupture or leak, which is a situation requiring removal and replacement.

It is visibly obvious when a saline implant leaks because the breast will deflate. It will look very different from the other breast containing an intact saline implant. A silicone implant that ruptures maintains its shape because the silicone gel maintains its shape, so you are unlikely to see that anything is amiss. Ruptures should be addressed immediately.  

While they differ in this way, one is not more likely to rupture than the other. As you compare breast implant options, know that either type is likely to last around 10-25 years, but then you may need to replace them before that time or wait until after that time.

Talk to an Experienced Plastic Surgeon about Breast Implants

Dr. Gregory Brucato first listens to your goals so that he can make recommendations for breast surgery that will achieve those goals. If you and he decide that breast augmentation is the best choice, he’ll discuss all of your breast implant options with you, including saline vs. silicone, shape, size and texture.

If you are interested in breast augmentation or breast implant revision in Ridgefield, CT, please arrange a consultation with Dr. Brucato by calling our team at 203-431-7644.

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