How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
Probably, the most frequently asked question in the world of breast implants. How long to they last? The frutrating part is, no one really has an accurate answer to the question so in lieu of an answer, we just get lots of opinions and confusion.
Somewhere along the way, the FDA decided to put a number on how long they last and that number is 10 years - yet they really don't tell you how they arrived at that number or that it doesn't necessarily mean that all implants explode on your exact surgery anniversary at year number 10! I think that absolute number scares patients unnecessarily. True, if you choose to place a breast implant in your body - you are implanting a device - its a thing and no-thing lasts forever. But I know that the decisions we make with patient preoperatively can extend the life of a breast augmentation result.
For example, the bigger an implant is - the heavier it is and the faster it will go south - causing excessive stretch and the need for a lift or mastopexy - so if a patient chooses a 700 cc implant and 2 years later they have to be removed and replaced due to excessive bottoming out and stretch - it wasn't the implant or device that failed - the revision is a result of poor decisions before the surgery but nevertheless - "it" didn't last. Choosing an implant size that does not ask tissue to go where it has never been, may prolong the life of the result and the device.
When deciding which implant product to use, be sure you know about the different fillers and amount of fill in the implant shells - both factor into the life of the device. There is some great information on the FDA's website about each device and their respecitive longevity issues but it is kind of hard to read - so Dr. Tebbetts took their information and placed it in a very easy to decifer spreadsheet - so patients can compare apples to apples. I am happy to email that Implant Comparison sheet to anyone who is interested. Just drop me a note a TTebbetts@plastic-surgery.com.
The real truth is that no one knows exactly how long a breast implant will last, but we do know that we can make them last longer by making smart decision with our patients before we ever go into the operating room.
But if you are reading this message and you are the lady who had your implants put in exactly 10 years ago today - my personal advice to you is - if your breasts are soft and pretty and you can get good self exams and mammograms - rely on the old Texas saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
Somewhere along the way, the FDA decided to put a number on how long they last and that number is 10 years - yet they really don't tell you how they arrived at that number or that it doesn't necessarily mean that all implants explode on your exact surgery anniversary at year number 10! I think that absolute number scares patients unnecessarily. True, if you choose to place a breast implant in your body - you are implanting a device - its a thing and no-thing lasts forever. But I know that the decisions we make with patient preoperatively can extend the life of a breast augmentation result.
For example, the bigger an implant is - the heavier it is and the faster it will go south - causing excessive stretch and the need for a lift or mastopexy - so if a patient chooses a 700 cc implant and 2 years later they have to be removed and replaced due to excessive bottoming out and stretch - it wasn't the implant or device that failed - the revision is a result of poor decisions before the surgery but nevertheless - "it" didn't last. Choosing an implant size that does not ask tissue to go where it has never been, may prolong the life of the result and the device.
When deciding which implant product to use, be sure you know about the different fillers and amount of fill in the implant shells - both factor into the life of the device. There is some great information on the FDA's website about each device and their respecitive longevity issues but it is kind of hard to read - so Dr. Tebbetts took their information and placed it in a very easy to decifer spreadsheet - so patients can compare apples to apples. I am happy to email that Implant Comparison sheet to anyone who is interested. Just drop me a note a TTebbetts@plastic-surgery.com.
The real truth is that no one knows exactly how long a breast implant will last, but we do know that we can make them last longer by making smart decision with our patients before we ever go into the operating room.
But if you are reading this message and you are the lady who had your implants put in exactly 10 years ago today - my personal advice to you is - if your breasts are soft and pretty and you can get good self exams and mammograms - rely on the old Texas saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
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