I find it amazing that so many people who have had or who are contemplating breast augmentations are under the false impression that breast implants should be changed every ten years. Did their plastic surgeon impart that advice to them or did a friend who had it done misinterpret some information? Or, did they read it somewhere on the internet?
This is absolutely a “young” wives tale, an urban (suburban and rural) legend without any factual basis. There is no fixed period of time after a breast augmentation or mastopexy with implants at which point breast implants should be replaced. Some implants may last only 5 years or even less (rare) whereas others may remain intact for thirty years or more.
In general, I inform my patients who are considering breast enlargement surgery that breast implants, though quite durable, are not “permanent” devices that will never need to be exchanged or removed. Given enough time, probably all of them would eventually need to be replaced. It is my experience that the silicone implants do last considerably longer in comparison to saline implants. There are also differences in implant lifespan that are manufacturer dependent.
Let me repeat this again so that there can be no confusion:
There is no rule or evidence that breast implants need to be replaced every ten years.
If you want more information regarding breast implants, breast augmentation or any other plastic surgery procedure that I perform or if you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with me, please contact my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona