Do Breast Implants Need to be Changed Every Ten Years?

Do Breast Implants Need to be Changed Every Ten Years?

A  Los Angeles plastic surgeon is frequently asked by his or her patients whether breast implants need to be changed every 10 years.  A simple answer is no.  Breast implants do not need to be changed if there are no problems with them.  For most patients, Los Angeles breast implants will last a lifetime.  However, some women will need to undergo a second surgery.  There are several reasons for which this may be necessary.  

          Capsular contracture occurs in about 8-9% (3 year study)  of women undergoing breast augmentation using silicone or saline implants.  Capsular contracture is a thicker than usual capsule that  is formed   around the implant  causing the implant  to feel harder and  deforming its shape. For severe forms of capsular contracture, revision surgery may be necessary to remove or release the capsule.

          Implant infection requires  implant removal but  fortunately happens very rarely.

          Implant asymmetry is another reason for which women may seek revision surgery.

          Implant rupture has an incidence of about 0.5%  for silicone implants and about 3 % for saline implants (3 year study).  Ruptured implants need to be removed.

Today breast Los Angeles breast augmentation is performed primarily using silicone implants. The new generation silicone implants have a lower leak rate than older silicone implants.  Los Angeles breast enlargement has become and more socially acceptable procedure.  Breast augmentation is frequently performed with other procedures such as rhinoplasty Los Angeles, Liposuction Los Angeles, or tummy tuck Los Angeles.