Women have been enhancing their breasts with implants for several decades. Whether your goal is to increase breast size, improve breast shape, or correct breast asymmetry, breast implants can help you achieve your body shaping goals with long-lasting results. But the question is, for how long?
Do breast implants last a lifetime, or will they need exchanging every so often? Or, perhaps your lifestyle has changed, and it’s time to try something new. Will the devices begin to leak or rupture after a specific period?
It has become a matter of debate among surgeons and patients, and there are no right or wrong answers on how long an implant will last. There have been some estimates of 10 to 20 years, but the data is not concrete. Here are some things to consider if you are considering breast surgery for the first time or have been carrying your implants for years.
Are You Still Happy With Your Breast Appearance?
We’ll use the old cliché, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” If you are still happy with your figure and your breast appearance, don’t worry about changing your implants. If they don’t cause discomfort and show no sign of leakage or rupture, you’re good to leave well enough alone. Yes, you’ve probably read implants are not lifetime devices, but your mileage may vary.
However, there may come a time in your life where your original implants have outlived their usefulness. This phenomenon happens due to lifestyle changes and, of course, the natural aging process. Consider the following.
Lifestyle Preferences Have Changed
Women who become more active and take up physical exercise later in life may find larger implants bothersome. Heavy breasts can make running, swimming, and interval training uncomfortable. There are breast surgery options to help women who choose a healthier lifestyle if necessary. If your implants are too heavy or oversized for an active lifestyle, you could opt to downsize.
You’ve Entered a New Season in Life
Age is another reason implants may have outlived their usefulness. Older women have different body shaping goals than when they were younger. Plus, other parts of their body have changed, and they want their breasts to complement the differences.
Complications That Make a Change Necessary
Another thing to consider is unexpected life events that make a change necessary. These could be health-related or a problem with one or both of the implants.
An MRI Reveals a Problem
If you have silicone breast implants, you should have them tested with periodic MRIs to ensure no rupture or breakage. If the test reveals a ruptured implant, you should have them removed as soon as possible. Irritation, pain, or infection may result if left untreated. After removal, you can have them replaced with new models.
Capsular Contracture
This term describes the unpredictable complication of scar tissue forming around the breast implant. It may cause your breasts to harden. As a result, your breasts may look or feel different, and there could be some discomfort because the capsule tightens.
Implant Migration
This complication occurs when the complete implant moves out of its designated pocket. This issue is most prevalent after the first year and will require attention from a qualified plastic surgeon.
Rippling
Breast implant rippling occurs when insufficient soft tissue coverage results from little overlying breast tissue and body fat. This possible phenomenon is most prevalent with thinner patients getting saline implants over the breast muscle.
Aesthetic Options After Implant Removal
Women who decide to have their implants removed have options to keep an aesthetically pleasing body that complements their lifestyle.
Implant Exchange
Breast implant exchange is a straightforward procedure, especially if there are no complications in the years following your original breast augmentation. First, Dr. Sajjadian will perform new incisions along your existing breast augmentation scars. Next, he will open the scar tissue capsules around your implants, then carefully remove the current implants. Lastly, he will insert the new implants you choose into the pockets and close them with sutures. The recovery that follows implant exchange is similar to the healing process after breast augmentation surgery.
Breast Lift With Implants
Like large natural breasts, augmented breasts with implants may sag over time. Normal aging and gravity may have created loose, stretched skin around implants you’ve had for several years. Other factors, like childbearing and weight fluctuation, can also contribute to this problem.
Dr. Sajjadian may combine your implant exchange with a breast lift to ensure your new implants remain in the correct position. Then, he will remove excess skin, insert your new implants, and adjust your nipple position if necessary. This operation will eliminate stretch marks, correct breast asymmetry, and create beautiful breast contours.
Saline vs. Silicone Implants
There are two different types of implants available to use for replacement. Saline implants have a silicone shell that gets filled with a saltwater solution after insertion into the breasts. If you choose saline implants, Dr. Sajjadian can make smaller incisions to introduce them. Saline also causes fewer complications in the event of a leak or rupture, because saltwater is harmless to your body. However, this material might ripple or feel less like genuine breast tissue.
A silicone implant has a silicone shell filled with a silicone gel, creating a feel more like natural breast tissue. Cohesive “gummy bear” implants are similar to their candy namesake, and are more anatomical for natural feel and look.
Implant Removal
Not all women require a breast lift after explant surgery, though many do. For example, if your breast implants were small, and you have excellent skin elasticity, you can have them removed without a breast lift. This operation is a simple surgical procedure that entails taking out your breast implants and their associated scar tissue through small incisions beneath each breast.
Before proceeding with breast implant removal, you should be aware your breasts will need time to adjust after the operation with a breast lift. That’s because breast implants apply pressure on the soft tissue inside the breasts, squeezing it into the lower portion of each breast. As a result, the compressed tissue gradually expands and migrates back into the upper part of your breasts after implant removal.
Why Choose Dr. Sajjadian?
Dr. Sajjadian has carefully crafted a reputation for his surgical skill and patient compassion. Moreover, he understands the importance of a beautiful figure to a woman’s self-esteem. Therefore, he artistically augments the breasts to achieve beautiful and natural-looking results.
Dr. Sajjadian would love to help you choose the right surgery or combination of procedures to help you reach your desired goals. Contact our Newport Beach, CA, surgical center at (949) 515-0550 today to schedule your consultation.