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Whether you already have breast implants or are considering having breast augmentation, you’ve probably wondered how long implants last and whether you’ll eventually need to have them replaced.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

The short answer is: It varies. Breast implants are not lifetime medical devices. You should expect to have them replaced at some point. Most women with breast implants have them replaced at least once, on average 10 years after their initial surgery. But some women keep their original implants for their entire lives.

It might surprise you to learn that it’s usually not the implants that determine the timing of replacement. Women have implant replacement surgery for many reasons. Most often, it’s because their body has changed or because their ideals for their body have changed, and they want larger or smaller implants. Less frequently, they have the implants replaced because of a problem — either with the implants themselves or their body’s reaction to the implants. The timing of those changes and decisions varies from woman to woman.

What Problems Can Require the Replacement of Implants?

The two most common problems with breast implants are a leak or rupture and the body’s reaction to the implant.

When a saline implant leaks or ruptures, the problem is cosmetic. The saline solution is absorbed by the body with no health effects. But as the implant deflates, it leaves one breast smaller than the other. Most women choose to have the failed implant replaced to restore their appearance.

When a silicone implant leaks or ruptures, the implant and the leaked silicone should be removed within about a year for health reasons.

The other problem that can require implant replacement is capsular contracture — when a thickened layer of scar tissue forms around the implant and puts pressure on it. This can cause discomfort or pain and can change the appearance of the breast. Capsular contracture is corrected by removing the implant and the hardened tissue.

What Happens to Breast Implants as You Age?

Many women have their implants replaced because of the natural changes associated with aging. Sagging is one of those changes, and implant replacement with a breast lift can restore a younger look.

Your breasts might also change in size and shape as a result of childbearing and breastfeeding or after weight gain and loss. When this happens, the original implants can make your breasts appear too large or too small to you. You might choose to have the implants replaced to restore the look and feel of your breasts to what they were when the implants were originally placed.

Your ideals for your body and your priorities can also change over time. If you become more physically active, you might choose to have smaller breasts for greater comfort when exercising or playing sports. As your body changes with age, you might decide that larger or smaller breasts will bring the proportions of your body into better balance. 

Will I Ever Have to Replace My Breast Implants?

By now, you should know that this question doesn’t have a “yes” or “no” answer. It depends. It depends on your preferences about your appearance in the years ahead. It depends on how your body changes as you age. It depends on your body’s reaction to the implants — whether you experience capsular contracture or another problem. And it depends, in part, on the durability of your implants, which should last for at least 10 years but aren’t guaranteed to last a lifetime.

For long-lasting results from your breast augmentation, choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who will work with you to select the size, shape, and type of your implants to get you the results you are hoping for. 

Schedule a Consultation in Orange County

To learn more about how breast augmentation or breast implant revision might benefit you, contact UCI Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation. We will help you understand what surgery can and can’t do, listen to understand your concerns and your goals, and work with you to plan a procedure for long-lasting results. We have five Orange County area offices: in Orange, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Newport, and Yorba Linda, CA.