how often do replace breast implants?

Question

I had reconstructive surgery with silocone breast implants 20 years ago. Should they be replaced?

Answer 1

As Needed: Breast implant failure is generally the most significant reason for their replacement. Saline implant failure results in a breast with a sudden loss in volume and decrease in size. Silicone gel implant failure may have pain or no symptoms at all, and can be diagnosed with an mri. Otherwise, significant scarring around the implant causing breast deformity may require implant exchange.

Answer 2

As needed: There is not an specific time frame to replace implants. Reasons to replace would be rupture, leaking, capsular contracture, desire for size change.

Answer 3

When the tread : Is less than 1/4 ". Just kidding: they're not tires, but the answer is the same: not till they're worn out. If i'd said "every 5 yrs, " would you comply? 'course not. Having said that, saline implants often fail in about 10 yrs. I've not seen a single silicone device fail since the new tech became available on the study in 2000. All plastic surgeons began general use in 2006 & no bad that ive heard.

Answer 4

Only if problems: Most implants only require replacement if you are having a problem. This may mean a hardening of the feel of the breast, rupture, displacement. If you have a concern you should consult a plastic surgeon who can examin and guide you.

Answer 5

When needed: There is a popular internet "belief" that implants should be replaced every 10 years but his has no basis in scientific validity. Saline & silicone implants have varying rupture rates cited from 3- 20% at 10 years. Gernerally my personal advice is to leave saline implants unless there is a reason to remove (rupture, exposure, contracture, size change or malposition). Silicone require MRI to assess.

Answer 6

When needed: People have heard that you need to change the implants every 10 years. In reality, you only need to change the implants if there is a problem. On average, about 1 in 5 women will have a second surgery on their breast implants within 10 years, whether saline or silicone. Silicone do last longer.

Answer 7

When indicated: Although there are many rumors on the internet to remove or change implants every 10 years, this is essentially a recommendation that is not based on any sound research, saline and silicone implants have different rupture rates. Essentially i advise my patients to remove implants when indicated for: rupture, exposure, deflation, displacement, size change, contracture, pocket change, shape change, .

Answer 8

It depends: Implants rupture at different rates and no one has kept registries to follow which are more like to rupture or determine average lifespans. Based on my thirty years' experience, gels rupture faster than salines. Generally by 15-20 years they are really leaky if not ruptured and gel ruptures can cause trouble so if you have gels, replace before then or sooner if you have any troubles.

Answer 9

When Needed: Agree with those who say replace implants when needed. This usually means at the time of treatment for capsular contracture if the implants are old, at the time of deflation if the implants are saline or if a rupture is detected if the implants are silicone. Agree very few 20 yr old gel implants have intact shells. The fda official stance is that broken gel implants should be removed or replaced.

Answer 10

When they break: In general, you replace them when they break. The reps say they last about 13-15 years.

Answer 11

No routine time: There is no routine recommendation, genrally speaking implants should be removed when indicated for rupture, deflation, leakage, size change, capsular contracture, asymmetry, elective choice, pain, fibrosis, infection, ptosis, malposition, etc, etc, etc.

Answer 12

No expiration date: Breast implants have an average life span of 12-ish years. But if you are doing fine and having no problems, you may keep yours much longer. There is no set time for implant replacement, just when there is a problem.

Answer 13

When the break: There is no arbitrary date when breast implants need to be changed. The most common reasons for replacement include a desire to change size, leakage or severe capsular contracture. If there are no problems with your breast implants, and you are happy with the results, they do not need to be replaced. In other words: if it's not broken; dont fix it!

Answer 14

When needed: Most believe that saline implants will last 8-12 years before deflating and needing replacement. However, if you are not having any problems or noticeable changes, replacement may not be necessary. Silicone gel implants may last longer and no long term data is available yet to determine how long they will last. You should always see your surgeon to insure that you receive the best information.

Answer 15

Depends: Implants are not forever devices. Having said that, you don't have to take them out at ten years as was once more the norm. This came from the old silicone implants having a leak of 50% at ten years. The current leak rate is about 3 to 5% at ten years, (depending on who you read). Best to see your board certified plastic surgeon if you have any questions about your particular implants.

Answer 16

Implant changes: The saline andgel implants have no specific ages that they rupture. Implants for the most part break at "fold faults".These faults eventually result in a crack that results in leakage. Saline implants completely deflate, and the newest "gummy bear implants" gradually expose the capsular tissues to the very viscous materials inside them.

Answer 17

If problems arise: Breast implants don't have a set time at which they must be replaced. Problems can arise at times that require additional surgery, such as for capsular contracture and implant rupture. If there are no problems, the implants do not need to be changed.

Answer 18

Generally safe: Breast augmentation is generally a safe procedure. Like any other surgery there are risks of complications including bleeding, infection, breast symmetry, capsullar contracture, and implant rupture.

Answer 19

Implants are safe: Breast implants are one of the most well studied medical devices the fda has ever approved. The silicone implant scare in the 80's was not founded on science, but hysteria. The truth is, breast implants are very safe. That being said, any surgery has risks, and the general risks of breast implants and the surgery to place them are an important conversation that you should have with your surgeon.

Answer 20

Many: There are many risks involved in breast implant surgery. Those associated with the surgery, and later complications of breast implant rupture or capsular contracture. This should be a conversation you have with a board certified plastic surgeon. Even with risks the vast majority of breast implant recipients are happy.

Answer 21

Few: Like all surgery there is a risk of infection or bleeding, but this is extremely low. I have had one infected implant in over 15 years in practice. There are also risks from anesthesia but these are rare. Implants themselves have risks of contracture or hardening, and malpositioning. Overall a very low risk surgery.

Answer 22

Like any surgery...: ...Infection, bleeding etc. Also, more specific to breast aug are: capsular contracture, displacement, asymmetry, loss of feeling, etc.

Answer 23

More surgeries: I agree with dr. Sisto. I would add that breast implants may make mammograms more difficult and require special views. After implant surgery there is significant risk of secondary surgery on the breast do to implant problems such as rupture, contracture, displacement, asymmetry, and subsequent procedures are usually not covered by insurance.

Answer 24

Other problems: Women ill from breast implants fall into several categories including silicone toxicity (rare and due to hla types), chemical toxicity (common) and biotoxicity (common). Also low grade infection due to biofilms. Immune, endocrine, and neurological problems also occur due to toxicity. See www.Thenakedtruthaboutbreastimplants.Com.

Answer 25

Colonization : There is a big difference between colonization ( presence of bacterial on a surface or tissue) va active infection. Both processes may cause disease. For example there are bacteria in your mouth that are not causing infection. However prolonged presence may cause plaque. Unless active infection is present we do not generally recommend antibiotics.

Answer 26

FDA POSITION: You may also want to review the fda position statement on this subject: http://www.Fda.Gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/implantsandprosthetics/breastimplants/default.Htm.

Answer 27

Many: Deflation, contracture, loss of nipple sensation, malposition, drug reaction, infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, death, scarring, poor cosmetic result, extrusion. Practically speaking the first three are the most likely with everything else farr less common.

Answer 28

Speak with Surgeon: Bleeding, infection, need for more surgery, damage to surrounding structures, imperfect cosmesis, implant displacement, scar, wound healing problems, breast sensation changes, capsular contracture, breast tissue thinning, and other unforseen consequences.

Answer 29

Needs massage: It is very serious. After implants are placed massaging them every day is a way of preventing scar tissue formation, there is a special technique for massage that your plastic surgeon will explain to you.

Answer 30

Risks and benefits: As with any surgery a patient should be aware of the risks- with implants this is mostly risk of contracture (1-4%). There is a very small risk of bleeding or infection (very rare), and risk of implant malposition or asymmetry.

Answer 31

Review the pros,cons: Please review the fda.Gov website regarding breast implants. Getting implants for reconstruction or cosmetic is a very serious decision. There is now a rare lymphoma (cancer) associated with implants. Mri's of implants are necessary every 2-3 years to check for silent rupture. Implants eventually need to be replaced perhaps every 10+yrs or sooner. You don't see too many men w/silicone penises.

Answer 32

Implants: Most women love their implants but i think they don't think about the fact that they aren't going to last forever and eventually they will need to be removed or replaced. Women need to plan financially for that eventual surgery or surgeries down the road.

Answer 33

Information...: Women should undergo breast augmentation surgery only after they have fully educated themselves about the pros/cons as well as potential risk/complications associated with breast surgery. They should also be aware that additional surgery is more likely, than not, after undergoing breast augmentation surgery.

Answer 34

No: The cause of implants becoming very firm has to do with tightening of the capsule that forms around them. This contracture can be painful, and cause very hard, painful, & unnatural breasts. Not all patients have this happen, and some have it early after implant placement. It is common to replace the implants every 7-10 years due to implant failures.

Answer 35

Sometimes: This is a process called capsular contracture. The reasons why they form are not entirely understood. They are currently attributed to biofilms (bacteria) and/or blood. They do not always form and I have removed implants that have been soft for 35 years. They do not always form on both breasts. Rates may vary by manufacturer, implant surface & position & can increase with time ranging from 8-16%.

Answer 36

No: Breast implants develop scar tissue around them within days after the initial augmentation surgery. When scarring unpredictably becomes severe, the breasts can become firm, malpositioned, misshapened, and even painful. This is called capsular contracture, and it doesn't necessarily happen in 30 years or even ever. But if it happens, another surgery would be required to correct the problem.

Answer 37

Hard Implants: Dr. Mcintosh is correct that scar capsule contracture and not the implant is the cause of hard implants. But gel implants are more likely to get hard than salines, probably because there is always some gel leakage which may stimulate more scar formation. This seems to worse with older implants.

Answer 38

Old breast implants: Breast implants may form a capsule over time, which can feel very firm. However, some patients may have implants in for 20+ years which can continue to feel soft and natural. The older generation of silicone implants, which had higher rupture rates, did tend to produce firm capsules following rupture. If you have very firm implants, you should see a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Answer 39

Go for it: If proper techniques and equipment are used, this shoud not be a problem.

Answer 40

Maybe: There is some degree of risk of compression or damage to the implant/site with such forces, but still less than the risks of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. :-).

Answer 41

No: Unless it is done from an extremely high altitude before all of the bubbles have diffused from a saline implant, it is no more concerning than any other physical activity.

Answer 42

Your "friend"should not: Skydive or participate in any other such busy vigorous activity until cleared by their surgeon after that there should be no increased risk.

Answer 43

No.: Once the healing phase has been completed, your friend should be able to skydive without specific concerns about the breast implants.

Answer 44

No: Skydiving with breast implants is no riskier than skydiving without implants, which can be risky itself :).

Answer 45

No: As long as there is no direct blow to the implants it should be fine. The harness usually go around the shoulders with a strap that goes across the chest underneath the breasts.

Answer 46

You're fine: I have been jumping for two decades and highly recommend it for those who enjoy it. Everyone is sober, drug free, physically fit and smart about risk management. Play by the rules and you are safe. The implants are not a problem.

Answer 47

Many reasons: There is strong motivation to get breast implants and many patients dont want to hear the negatives. There is a good monetary pay out to the surgeon, who might slant the conversation in favor of surgery. If you are having hassles with the implants after a number of years, you should see a breast surgeon as the implants can rupture, encapsulate and get hard, migrate or become unshapely.

Answer 48

Medical Devices: It is unfortunate when any patient feels misinformed. With the present state of the internet, that is currently unimaginable. However, implants are medical devices and as such are subject to complications. Perhaps the best solution would be to remove the implants and not subject yourself to any future surgery. There are no current implants that last forever or function consistently with time.

Answer 49

How old are you?: Depending on how long ago you had implants, doctors may not have known the long-term results. Other times i find that my patients aren't listening to what i say. Maybe they are nervous but when something happens, occasionally someone says, "you never told me this could happen!" it happened enough i now write down a long list of possibilities and make them sign it before surgery.

Answer 50

Informed Consent!: If you had your surgery by a board certified plastic surgeon, I am sure you were given all the possible complications of the surgey.If you are talking about sagging then that is inevtable as gravity will work.If you are cmplaining about anything specific, i would suggest that you see a board certified plastic surgeon.There is no need to have hassle in life if they are avoidable.

Answer 51

Great question!: It is my sincere hope that you were told in your 30's when you got them that there would be issues. These are not lifetime devices. If you weren't then i apologize, you should have been. Without knowing your age i can't know when they were placed. Talk with a plastic surgeon to discuss all of your current options.

Answer 52

Hard to say...: Maybe you didn't hear. Maybe the doctor didn't say. Maybe we didn't know to tell. In spite of all the hassles, most women i see who come in with aging implants for removal are desperate to get new ones put in. Most surgical treatments have future risk. There is a lifetime risk of bowel obstruction after appendectomy of about 1%.

Answer 53

True hassles are few: I'm sorry if you didn't get or hear all the information available when you had your surgery. We now know much more, and have better implants and surgical techniques. However, nothing in life is "guaranteed hassle-free" and the vast majority of women who ask for breast implants are happy with them for decades. Problems are few with well-done surgery by experienced abps-certified plastic surgeons.

how often do replace breast implants?

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