The length of time a breast implant is expected to last is unknown. Since the breast implant shells are always being improved it is difficult to determine an exact amount of time a particular breast implant will last. Currently the breast implant manufacturers guarantee the breast implants for a lifetime and will provide new breast implants if they ever deflate. The companies will also provide 10 year extended warranties with compensation for the various fees that are required to exchange the breast implants. So in some respects, they anticipate the breast implants to last 10 years. However, if a saline filled breast implant is not deflated after ten years, it does not need to be exchanged. In other words, there is no specific reason to replace the saline breast implants after a certain period of time.
If a saline filled breast implant does deflate, the saline will leak into the body. The saline that is used to fill these breast implants is sterile and physiologic and is designed to cause no harm in the body. It is the same fluid that is put into the body from intravenous solutions and medications.
There is more concern over the older model silicone gel breast implants. Silicone gel filled breast implants that were placed in the 1980’s and early 1990’s should be replaced. In simplistic and general terms, silicone gel breast implants from that era should be changed after twelve to fourteen years. The shells from these older silicone gel breast implants were thinner, less durable and more likely to fail over time. The shells of today’s saline and silicone gel breast implants are better constructed as science continues to improve.
The silicone gel breast implants of today are constructed with not only better shells but the silicone gel itself is better. The silicone gel has better chemical bonding. These newer silicone gel breast implants have been shown to have fewer complications than the older versions of silicone gel breast implants.
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Disclaimer
This web site has been designed and created to assist in providing information about breast implants, and breast enhancement surgeries including breast augmentation. It is not meant to replace an informed consent document, or a visit with your plastic surgeon. This web site is for informational purposes only and not intended to provide medical advice.
