How long do breast implants last?

With many of the original formulations of the implant shells (which are silicone regardless of whether you have silicone implants or saline implants) the quoted amount of time was an average of 10-15 years.

This number was based on reoperation rates and it is important to remember that these re-operation rates included all reasons.  Indications for reoperation for patients with breast implants include:

1.  capsular contracture or scar tissue forming around the breast
2.  undesireable appearance of the breast implants - patient wishes to be larger, smaller or does not want implants anymore
3.  implant rupture or leak
4.  implant infection

Implant rupture is only one of several reasons that people have revision surgery. 

The new implant shell formulations probably last longer than older shells but many of the other reasons that people have surgery still contribute to that average of patients having revision surgery every 10-15 years.

I hope this helps.

Hello,

Older generation silicone gel implants after 20 years have about a 95% likelihood of rupture. You probably want to get an evaluation by a good plastic surgeon to help guide you. Maybe an MRI would be useful, but an evaluation is a good place to start.

Best Regards,

John Di Saia MD

There is probably no reason for concern. Breast implants do n ot need to be repalced at a certain time. They may last 10 or 30 years. As long as you are happy with the shape and softness you can wait.

Having said that, and knowing that they have been in for almost 25 years,  I would meet with your origianl surgeon if he/she are in your location or start to meet and find a surgeon you would be comforatble with.  The odds are over the next few years the device will fail. Most commonly device failures do not casue any problems and many times are found on incidently on routine mammograpy.

I have seen a patient with 34 year old saline implants. If she had followed the "urban myth" that they need to be exchanged every 10 years she would have had 4 sets by now but only needed the first ones. If you are happy with the look, size, and feel of your implants and if they are intact, leave them alone. With saline you know obviously if they are intact. With silicone gel, mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs can determine the status.

For many patients, breast implants provide years of trouble-free satisfaction.  It is not unusual to find patients who have had their breast implants for ten, fifteen, or even twenty or more years, with no apparent problems.

However, breast implants are mechanical devices which cannot be expected to last forever.  Most manufacturers now warranty the implants for ten years, although this does not imply that implants will wear out sometime thereafter.

In some cases, in spite of everything seeming normal, there may be "silent" rupture of the implant.  In the case of silicone gel implants, there is no loss of volume of the breast when the outer shell of the implant breaks, since the silicone gel is not absorbed by the body, and generally stays contained within the scar tissue capsule of the breast.  In thise cases, the breast may feel "mushy", without the ability to feel the implant moving as a distinct mass, and the diagnosis of rupture can be made by MRI examination.  Implant rupture of this nature is generally related in a linear fashion to the age of the implant, becoming increasingly likely as the age of the implant increases.

Breast Augmentation patients should have routine breast examinations by their plastic surgeons, and should have mammograms done annually as per the recommendations of the American Cancer Society.

So, although no news may be good news, patients with older breast implants should not neglect routine breast examinations and mammoagraphy, even if there are no apparent problems.

Most plastic surgeons believe that if an older breast implant is not causing a specific problem or is not known to be leaking, it should be left alone. If you are happy with the breast appearance the implants are likely perfectly good. You need to have your routine mammograms that you have hopefully been getting. Unfortunately these xrays often do not show leaking silicone implants. An MRI could show leaking implants not seen on mammogram. If you are having any issue at all with change in size, shape, feeling of the breast I would get an MRI to check on the implant. Board certified plastic surgeons in your area should be able to guide you through this process.

10/20
as the other plastic surgeons have said, if they are doing well, then leave them alone. if they are silicone implants, you MAY want to consider having an MRI to see if there is a leak. however almost certainly many of the women in other countries who have had their silicone implants for many years, have small leaks. however, only the usa with its over-abundance of lawyers, recommends regular mri for those with silicone implants.

david berman md
plastic surgeon
norhern virginia

To think, it was futuristic to George Orwell and now 1984 is 24 years behind us.  Breast implants can, and sometimes do, last that long.  I council my patients that all implants have a life expectancy, which on average is between 10 and 15 years.  This is only an average, so some implants will last 25 years or more and some only 5 years.  The length of time that you have had your implants, in and of itself, is not a great concern, as long as, you have had regular follow up with a board certified plastic surgeon to evaluate your implants' integrity.  At any rate, if you haven't ever had the implants studied, you might consider having either a sonogram or MRI to allay your concerns.  Seek guidance from your board certified plastic surgeon as to how you should proceed.  Good luck.