Do Breast Implants Expire?

Atlantic Coast Aesthetics has helped a lot of women look and feel more beautiful and confident in their bodies. Because of these, we’ve also had a lot of questions about the breast, and breast implants in particular. Recently, Dr. Thomas Pane, founder and Chief Medical Officer of ACA, decided to sit down and address some of these questions outside the clinical setting through a series of Google hangouts and YouTube videos covering some of the more frequently asked questions patients have about cosmetic procedures and prosthetics they may be considering. One such question came from a woman who had had breast implants for 14 years and wanted to know if breast implants expire. She’s not alone, and for this reason, Dr. Pane chose to address this question in his most recent Google hangout.

Many women who get breast implants express concern about whether their implants need to be replaced, changed or removed after a certain amount of time. While there are times and circumstances where a breast implant may need additional follow-up care, maintenance or removal and replacement, this is relatively rare. Modern breast implants are intended to be in place for life or as long as the patient cares to keep them. Therefore, unlike some prosthetics, breast implants seldom require further maintenance unless something happens to the implant or certain changes in the patient’s body or adverse reactions require more intensive aftercare.

There are a number of reasons why a breast implant may need to be replaced, adjusted, resized or removed. Some of these are based on personal preference, while others are predicated on medical necessity. On the personal preference side, reasons to alter or remove an implant include:

• Desire for a different feel, which can be accomplished by changing the type of implant
• A larger or smaller bust
• Alteration of the contour and/or profile of the breasts
• Discomfort or back problems, common in women who desire larger breasts than their frame can accommodate. This type of problem is very rare with the care and guidance of an experienced cosmetic surgeon.
• Sagging or drooping of the breasts, which may require a breast lift to correct
• Weight gain or loss and accompanying body changes
• Pregnancy and accompanying body changes

Some medical reasons that breast implants may require further intervention include:

• Development of an abnormal scar capsule around the implant
• Damage, leakage or rupture of the implant, typically related to auto or other types of accidents but in very rare cases possibly a result of a defective implant
• As part of a breast lift procedure, to “reset” the clock on the implant

While medically based reasons for replacing breast implants are relatively rare, Dr. Thomas Pane of ACA typically recommends that his patients have their implants replaced during a breast lift. There may be other reasons to adjust, modify, replace or remove implants, but this is perhaps the most common reason. Since breast implants don’t have an expiration date, unless something changes radically with the patient’s body or a medical problem arises, there is generally no need to remove a breast implant otherwise.

Although time is not typically a determining factor in whether switching out implants is desirable for a given patient, the look and feel of the breast and accompanying implant is probably the single largest determining factor in whether and how most patients decide to have their implants altered. Because silicone gel implants have been back on the market since 2006, many patients that previously had saline solution implants are considering silicone instead for the different feel it offers. Likewise, many women want to see how they would look with a differently contoured breast, and the right type of implant may vary by patient preference, body type, desired outcome and other factors.

When choosing breast implants or other cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures or prosthetics, the experience of the surgeon is an important factor in ensuring the best possible outcome for the patient. Dr. Thomas Pane is a double board certified surgeon in both general surgical medicine and cosmetic surgery, with an extensive resume spanning nearly two decades. He has the experience and skill to help you look and feel your best, whether you want to consider a new kind of breast implant or want to discuss the possible risks, side effects and ideal results for your body. To learn more about Dr. Pane or to schedule a consultation that combines his experience with your unique needs and desires so you can achieve your best possible appearance, visit us at acplasticsurg.com or call us at 561-422-4116. You can have the look you always wanted, and ACA can help you get it!