If your breast implants are ten years old, is it time to change them? This is a commonly asked question by patients who come to see Dr. Moraitis for Breast Augmentation Surgery in Tampa. So, what is the recommendation?
Breast Augmentation with saline or silicone breast implants may seem like a permanent solution to improving the look of your breasts. However, it is not a one-and-your-done surgery. According to the FDA, breast implants are not considered lifetime devices.
That being said, the fact that your implants are ten years old is not a reason alone to have your implants removed or exchanged. The older your implants, the more likely they are to fail but if you are happy with your current augmentation size, you have no indication of leakage/rupture, and your breasts remain soft and are not painful, there is no need to replace your saline or silicone breast implants.
There are various reasons that may require revision surgery to remove or replace your implants, including rupture. To determine if you have a leakage/rupture with your silicone gel filled breast implants, the FDA recommends obtaining an MRI of your breasts at three years and then every other year after surgery to check for a “silent leak.” With silicone gel filled breast implants, the outer shell of the implant can become damaged without any outward sign of rupture. An MRI can pick up on possible ruptures when physical exam and mammograms may not.
If you have saline breast implants, leaks are generally obvious to you. Many patients who experience a rupture with their saline implants tell us that they noticed a significant difference in one breast literally overnight. When saline breast implants leak, your breast(s) flattens from the loss in volume.
In the event that either saline or silicone implants are noted to be ruptured, your implants should be removed or replaced. At Moraitis Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Moraitis offers both saline and silicone gel filled breast implants manufactured by the two US based breast implant manufacturers, Mentor and Allergan. Both manufacturers offer the same replacement warranties for the lifetime of the breast implants as well as financial support for the first ten years. For more information on breast implant warranties, please contact our office or visit the Mentor or Allergan websites.
What are the odds that you will need to remove or replace your breast implants at 10 years?
The two US manufacturers reported rupture data states that rupture rates start at 0.5% at 3 years, increasing to about 8% at 7 years with an average lifespan of approximately 15 years or greater. There are slight variations in the rates and typical lifespan between saline and silicone implants.
For more information on Breast Augmentation Revision/Replacement Surgery or to schedule a cosmetic consultation at our Palm Harbor Plastic Surgery practice to discuss your options, please contact us by calling 727-773-9796 today or by completing our contact form to request a personal contact from our office.
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