If you’re considering breast augmentation, you may have heard or read that breast implants need to be replaced every 10 years. Fortunately, this is not true. There is no expiration date for breast implants, especially if the surgery is done expertly and with high-quality implants. To set the record straight, here is what you should understand about the durability and longevity of breast implants with this transformative procedure:
- There isn’t a pre-programmed lifespan or automatic expiration date for breast implants. The “10-year” average comes from outdated statistics and it doesn’t take into account the increased durability of our current breast implant technologies. These technologies have vastly improved over the past 30 years.
- Your breast implants could potentially last decades if you are fortunate enough to avoid common issues like capsular contracture or implant rupture. You can confirm that your implants are aging well with periodic MRIs and breast exams.
- As long as your implants remain soft and you don’t have issues, there’s no specific timeframe for when they must be replaced. If they look and feel good, you should leave them be.
- Breasts age differently from person to person, therefore it’s hard to predict how your breasts will change after this surgery. Many patients get revision surgery for age-related changes like droopiness, not because of an implant issue.
- To ensure that you get the most out of your implants, it is important to get regular physical exams, avoid traumatic injuries to your chest area, and implement an implant massage routine after surgery.
Remember, breast implants are not considered permanent but they have no planned date of obsolescence. Today’s cohesive gel and saline options are built to last and there is no mandatory replacement schedule. Although a revision or removal remains likely in your lifetime, your breast implants do not “expire” at any predetermined endpoint. As long as you stay vigilant about breast health the odds are that you will be able to enjoy your implants for years if not decades.