On average, breast implants can last for about 10-20 years.
Risk of damage due to rupture or leakage increases by 1% every year, and durability varies depending on your body and how well you take care of your implants.
When do breast implants need to be removed or replaced?
Breast implants can undergo changes and are not guaranteed to last forever. Reasons why breast implants need to be removed include
- Breast hardening: Scar tissue from breast implant surgery around the implant may harden over time. This can cause the breast to feel hard or painful to the touch. It can also cause changes to breast size and shape.
- Saline implant rupture: A saline implant can rupture and leak, causing the breast to lose its shape. The saline gets absorbed into the breast tissue, but makes the breast look uneven compared with the other breast.
- Silicone implant rupture: If a silicone implant ruptures, the thick silicone gel stays in the implant or nearby breast tissue but does not get absorbed. The rupture may or may not cause changes in the shape of the breast. You may experience a tingling or burning sensation.
- Wrinkling: Sometimes, the implants can get wrinkled and rippling may be noticeable through the skin of the breast.
- Sagging implants: Aging and extreme weight changes can cause breast implants to sag or change position within the breasts.
What happens if breast implants rupture?
If your breast implants rupture or you want to get them removed for any reason, your plastic surgeon will suggest the following options:
- Removing the implants with or without a breast lift
- Removing the implants and parts of hardened scar tissue
How to take care of breast implants
If you want to make your breast implants last longer, you can try the following tips:
- Wear a surgical bra during your recovery: After your breast augmentation surgery, wear a surgical bra that provides support and prevents sagging over time. Talk to your doctor about what type of bra is best for your size and for how long you should wear it.
- Give yourself time to heal from the surgery: You should rest at home for 7-10 days before resuming work or school. However, you should avoid lifting heavy things for at least 4-6 weeks.
- Have regular follow-ups and self-checks: Your doctor will recommend regular checkups and tests such as mammograms or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans if needed. For example, for silicone implants, the FDA recommends getting an MRI scan of the breast 3 years after the initial breast implant surgery and then every 2 years thereafter. Your doctor will teach you how to self-examine your breasts to make sure any abnormalities can be corrected early.
QUESTION
An average adult has about ________ square feet of skin. See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medically Reviewed on 1/27/2022
References
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Will your breast implants last a lifetime? https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/will-your-breast-implants-last-a-lifetime
Will your breast implants last a lifetime? https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/will-your-breast-implants-last-a-lifetime
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