Do You Need to Change Your Breast Implants?

I’d like to talk to you about the “shelf life” of breast implants. Atlanta TV commercials tell us that “diamonds are forever,” right? Unfortunately, breast implants aren’t.

Why Replace Breast Implants?

There are several reasons you might wish to switch out your implants in a procedure called a breast implant revision. Here are a few of them:

1.    A desire to change implant size (larger or smaller)

2.    A desire for a change in shape or projection

3.    A wish to switch from saline-filled to gel-filled or vice versa

4.    A capsular contracture

5.    Deflation of saline implants (one or both)

6.    Visible wrinkling, rippling, bottoming out or the presence of the “double bubble”

7.    Breast sagging that requires implant changes during a breast lift. It’s not always necessary to replace the implants in a breast lift performed long after breast implants were inserted. Much depends on the age of the implants and whether or not my patient is satisfied with the size of her breasts, not withstanding her dissatisfaction with the sagging of them.

How Long Do Implants Last?

While most women are told that their implants will last about ten years, some women will have no need or desire to change implants for 20 years. In other words, it varies among women.

Will There Be More Scars if I Replace My Breast Implants?

Usually no. Unless the scars are hypertrophic, the same incisions are used as were used in the initial breast augmentation procedure.

How Do I Know If My Breast Implants are “Too Old?”

Unless you have one of the problems noted in the list above, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. If you have any concerns about your implants, however, set an appointment to see me. Remember, in saline-filled implants a rupture is obvious, but a gel-filled implant failure isn’t. If you’re experiencing “women’s intuition” about your implants, come in and I’ll examine you. If I think you need an MRI to identify a possible gel-filled implant failure, I’ll tell you. If we aren’t sure, you can decide if you want to have an MRI. But be seen and put your mind at rest about it.

To your health and beauty,

Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta, GA Board Certified Plastic Surgeon