How often do you need to replace breast implants? 

Breast Implant Replacement Surgery

Breast implants are not meant to last forever. The FDA says that most women who undergo breast augmentation cosmetic surgery may require a revision procedure at some point in the future.  

However, it is impossible to predict the exact timeline. In 2011, an FDA study found that only about one in five women with breast implants would need a removal or removal within the first 10 years of her primary surgery. 

This is encouraging data, particularly because it pertains to about a decade ago. The quality of implants and surgical techniques have dramatically improved over these years, and now the chances are that implant failure rates would have gone down further.  

You can safely expect that for a vast majority of patients, breast implants will last without any complication for at least 15 to 20 years or more. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides cosmetic and reconstructive procedures for the breast, body, and face to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding locations. 

Why You May Need Implant Revision at Some Point? 

The key to longevity of your breast augmentation plastic surgery results is the skill and experience of the surgeon who performed the primary procedure. However, in the long run, complications such as implant rupture or capsular contracture could still manifest itself. These will have to be corrected through breast implant removal or exchange surgery.  

At some point in the future, you might end up choosing to have your breast implants removed or replaced purely for aesthetic reasons. You might have a need for smaller or larger sized implants to fit your changed figure in the future.  

Weight fluctuations, pregnancy and aging effects could also affect your breast appearance at some point, and you may want to have your implants removed or replaced, or undergo a breast lift to restore a more youthful shape. 

Rupture of Implants 

If your saline breast implant is ruptured, it will deflate quickly, and the changes to your breast shape will become noticeable. If a silicone gel implant is ruptured, you may not even come to know about it until you have an MRI. In any case, once the rupture is diagnosed, you will need an implant removal or replacement plastic surgery. 

Capsular Contracture 

The natural scar tissue that develops around your implant may sometimes start becoming harder without any known reason. This will cause your implant to contract and you may feel tightness and pain in the breast. In most cases, this will require you to undergo a breast implant removal or exchange procedure.  

Other Causes 

At some point, you may feel that your breasts appear asymmetrical. In some cases, the implant may shift from its position or become deformed, causing a visible distortion to the breast appearance. Implant rippling may occur in some cases, which will show on the surface of your breast skin. In all these situations, you may need to have your implants removed or replaced.  

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for safe and routine plastic surgery procedures.   

Schedule a Consultation with an Expert

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim.  Click here to contact us today.

Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.