May 26, 2021
Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Steven Yarinsky, explains that while breast implants last for many years, they should not be considered lifetime medical devices. They can rupture or leak, and saline implants may deflate. Capsular contracture may also occur, which is shrinkage of natural scar tissue that your body produces around any implanted medical device. This may result in firm or hard breasts or a deformity which you can feel or see. Since the implants are not designed to last a lifetime, they may need to be replaced after about 10 to 15 years on average. With that said, if implants are “up and running,” are intact, and not creating any problems, there is no need to replace them. We have many patients who have had their implants for over 20 years without problems.
If hard breasts or capsular contracture develops, treatment options include removal of the thick scar capsule with or without replacement of the implants. If saline implants rupture, the salt water filling in the implants is resorbed, resulting in a “flat tire” appearance. Leaving deflated saline implants in place can result in further capsular or scar tissue contracture and visible deformity of the breasts. So, it is recommended to have saline implants replaced within a month or two of deflation. If silicone gel-filled implants (also known as “gummy bears”) rupture, no change in breast shape or size may be seen, but the affected breast may feel softer. Therefore, after silicone gel implant placement, a breast ultrasound or MRI study should be done every 5 to 7 years to rule out a “silent rupture.” If the shell of a silicone gel implant breaks, loose silicone oil can escape. While there is no scientifically recognized harm to the body from loose silicone gel, the implants are designed and approved by the FDA to be used with an intact shell surrounding the gel fill material. Though there may be no change in the breast appearance, out of an abundance of precaution and with patient safety first in mind, it is recommended that broken gel implants be replaced or, if desired, removed without replacement.
As some patients consider getting their implants removed—whether due to a mechanical complication such as implant shell breakage, capsular contracture or personal choice—the question often arises of whether they should exchange their implants or return to their natural breast size.
Enlarging breasts with implants stretches the overlying breast skin envelope, increasing the amount of breast skin. If implants are removed without replacement, there is often a breast volume and skin mismatch causing breast droopiness or “ptosis.” Due to this fact, for those interested in breast implant removal without replacement, their breasts may not look the same as they did before undergoing breast augmentation. A woman’s age, implant size, and the length of time implants are present can all cause changes that may not be noticeable until the implants have been removed. For instance, the weight of a larger implant and gravity effects over the course of several years can gradually cause the skin and breast ligaments to stretch, leading to sagging tissue.
For those women who choose to remove implants without replacement, to address the loose skin breast ptosis that results, Dr. Yarinsky often recommends a breast lift to remove redundant loose skin and tighten the ligaments. This helps to produce a more youthful and shapelier breast appearance, avoiding a “deflated” look. Women who have good breast skin elasticity and smaller implants may find that after implant removal their breasts return to a similar size and shape as they had before breast augmentation.
The best way to know how your breasts will look after breast implant removal without a replacement is to schedule a personalized consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Yarinsky utilizes Crisalix 3D and 4D imaging technology to help patients by simulating and previewing their projected results.
If you would like to learn more about this type of breast revision surgery with or without an implant exchange, please contact Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Yarinsky. He will help you understand what you can realistically expect after implant replacement or removal, and how to achieve results that help you to feel beautiful and confident.
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FAQs
Risk of Rupture and Leakage
What happens if you never replace your breast implants? ›
Over time, the implants can experience changes such as ruptures or leaks, hardening, or shifting within the breast pocket. These changes can lead to discomfort, changes in breast appearance, or even health problems like infection or migration of the implant.
What happens when breast implants get old? ›
On average, today's implants are designed to last more than a decade, with the chance of rupture increasing by one percent each year. So, the older your implants are, the greater your risk of rupture or other complications. In many cases, breast implants can remain in good shape for 20 years or more.
Can you keep breast implants for 40 years? ›
There is no specific answer to this question. It's true, some people need to replace their implant before ten years, and others don't have to even after ten years. Most likely if you undergo breast augmentation surgery with breast implants in your 20's, you will need to replace them or remove them in your lifetime.
Do I really need to replace my breast implants? ›
Breast implants do not last a lifetime. It's likely they'll need to be replaced at some point. Some women may need further surgery after about 10 years, either because of problems with the implants or because their breasts have changed around the implants.
Can old breast implants cause health issues? ›
More than 100 symptoms have been associated with breast implant illness, including headaches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems. Symptoms can occur with any type of breast implants and can start immediately after implantation or years later.
Is it better to remove or replace breast implants? ›
Breast implants don't last a lifetime. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends that people with breast implants have them removed or replaced every 10 to 15 years. However, your plastic surgeon may not recommend that you have them removed if you haven't had any complications.
Can breast implants last 20 years? ›
The average saline or silicone implants may last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. However, many are removed sooner due to complications or cosmetic concerns. Up to 20 percent of people have their implants removed or replaced within 8 to 10 years.
What if my breast implants are 10 years old? ›
In summary, if you have implants that are ten years old or older, it's time to consult with a board-certified cosmetic breast surgeon to discuss your options. It may be that your implants are just fine, and nothing needs to be done. But you owe it to yourself to know your options.
What is the longest breast implant has lasted? ›
It's important to note that breast implants do not come with an expiration date or a shelf life. The FDA does not consider breast implants to be lifetime devices. However, there's anecdotal evidence of women keeping their implants longer than 25 years. Implants can last indefinitely if the patient is still satisfied.
It is not uncommon for women in their 40s and 50s to undergo breast augmentation with beautiful results. While there is technically no age limit for this procedure, there are some things to consider in terms of your age and how it may relate to successful outcomes and certain risk factors.
At what age should breast implants be removed? ›
Breast implants generally last 10 to 15 years. It is not unheard of for them to last longer, but the longer you have them, there is an increased risk of rupture and other complications. That doesn't mean you can't have them replaced again. Your plastic surgeon can help you decide the right time for removal.
What happens if you never have breast implants removed? ›
Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Steven Yarinsky, explains that while breast implants last for many years, they should not be considered lifetime medical devices. They can rupture or leak, and saline implants may deflate.
Is it cheaper to have breast implants replaced? ›
The price of implant replacement is typically similar to that of the initial breast augmentation.
What happens if you leave breast implants in too long? ›
While it is fine to go past the 10-year mark, I do not recommend going past the 15-year mark because eventually, the implants will rupture if you leave them in long enough.
Can you leave breast implants in forever? ›
Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Steven Yarinsky, explains that while breast implants last for many years, they should not be considered lifetime medical devices. They can rupture or leak, and saline implants may deflate.
Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Steven Yarinsky, explains that while breast implants last for many years, they should not be considered lifetime medical devices. They can rupture or leak, and saline implants may deflate. Capsular contracture may also occur, which is shrinkage of natural scar tissue that your body produces around any implanted medical device. This may result in firm or hard breasts or a deformity which you can feel or see. Since the implants are not designed to last a lifetime, they may need to be replaced after about 10 to 15 years on average. With that said, if implants are “up and running,” are intact, and not creating any problems, there is no need to replace them. We have many patients who have had their implants for over 20 years without problems.