kelsi123 SAID:

Do breast implants every need to be replaced due to their age?

0 Answers

  1. Dr. Karen Singer wrote on :

    While it is best not to expect breast implants (either saline or gel) to last a lifetime, unless there is a leak, rupture, capsular contracture, or a patient desires a change in the size of the implants, many women never need to have their implants replaced. If you have silicone implants, consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon about how often to have an MRI to test for robustness of the implants.

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  2. Dr. Susan Kolb wrote on :

    Breast implants should be changed about every ten years due to a lyposis reaction which occurs in the body (Dow Corning engineering data) that weakens the Silastic shell and makes the gel more prone to leakage and may cause valve issues in saline implants. For a more detailed description of breast implant issues see the information at http://www.thenakedtruthaboutbreastimplants.com. Susan E. Kolb M.D, FACS, ABIHM Atlanta

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  3. Dr. Roberta Gartside wrote on :

    The answer is no. Breast implant are not automatically changed every several years like the oil in a care. My basic rule is if it is not broke, don’t fix it. Surgery is not minor and there is no reason to risk it unless there has been a thought out reason to proceed. Usually with breast implant those reason vary from changing the size (particular as a women ages and the breast size changes), the shape and appearance is not right or a rupture has been detected.

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  4. Dr. E. Musarra wrote on :

    Dear Kelsi,
    Breast implants do have to be replaced due to their age. I have considerable experience with breast implants having trained under the surgeons who invented them and have done over 3000 cases. We are on our 5th generation of breast implants, making changes with each new generation. It is true that the implants filled with
    saline (a natural body fluid) can last forever as long as they don’t leak or rupture. The implants filled with siicone gel were initially thought to last a life time. That will very rarely happen. When these do rupture, there
    can be an inflammatory effect that can create pain and deformity. This is easily treated surgically.
    The newer implants are thought to last about 20 years. If you have implants, or are considering have implants, your surgeon will have his/her own thoughts about this and will give you their recommendations.
    Personally, I ask my patients to come back in 15 years to get back into long term follow up with examination
    and mammograms. Be certain you are dealing with a board certified plastic surgeon.
    Dr. Tony Musarra Marietta, Ga. 770 421 1242

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