Breast implants aren’t to stay a whole life, but that doesn’t mean they can’t. The question that comes to mind is: How long do breast implants last? Saline or silicone implants commonly stay between 10 and 20 years. Many are, however, removed before because of problems or aesthetic issues. Within 8 to 10 years, up to 20% of patients have their implants removed or replaced. Are you unsure of when to consider a breast implant removal procedure? Continue reading to learn more about symptoms to look out for and what to anticipate during breast explant surgery which is the removal of implants.

Signs Of the Need for Breast Implant Removal 

Breast implant removal may be necessary due to the following issues.

Hardening

Develop rigid scar tissue, or capsular contracture, around one or both implants. Additionally, it may result in abnormal aesthetic changes to the breast as well as tightness, discomfort, and sensitivity. The same breast may experience hardening more than once in specific circumstances.

Burst Of Saline (Leakage and Deflation)

A saline breast implant will start to deflate like a balloon if it ruptures due to a rip or hole in its shell. Your body will reabsorb the Saline that leaks out of your implant. This leak may occur suddenly or gradually over the course of several days. The deflation may not be noticeable until all of the Saline flows out. The damaged breast will shrink and change significantly in appearance from your other breast. In this case, you may need breast implant removal surgery. Your physician can better tell you what’s better for you. 

Silicone May Also Burst Leading to the Need for Breast Implant Removal

In comparison to silicone gel, saline solution is much thinner. After silicone implants rupture, the gel lingers inside the implants or the surrounding scar tissue. Silicone implant ruptures thus frequently go unnoticed. Silent ruptures are another name for silicone ruptures.

Do not have any symptoms. These signs and symptoms can be present:

• A smaller breast size
• Tough knots
• An unbalanced breast look
• Hurt or sensitivity
• Pulsating
• Bulging
• Loss of feeling
• Smoldering
• Alterations in feeling

Despite the fact that the precise percentage of silicone rupture is unclear, it is assumed to be between 2 and 12 percent. Some implants fail right away, some after a few years, and even others after ten years or more.

Rumbling and Palpability

When an implant creates swells or wrinkles, it is said to be rippling. When you touch your breast, you should be able to feel these waves. This is known as palpability. These alterations can occasionally be detected through the skin as well.

You might want to think about breast explant surgery if you notice or feel wrinkling.

Placement shift. Breast drooping as you age is not prevented by breast implants. The effects of gravity will continue to manifest. Stretching and sagging of the breasts can also result from weight growth and decrease. Additionally, you could notice that your nipples now point in opposite directions than before or that one of your breasts hangs lower than the other. If these changes annoy you, obtaining a breast lift or new implants may help you restore your breasts to their former shape.

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Expectations for Breast Implant Removal 

Your breast implants can be removed by any licensed plastic surgeon. Not necessarily the same surgeon who performed your first operation. The surgeon of your choice will assess the condition of your present implants and go through your surgical alternatives during an initial consultation. Your surgeon can choose from the following options depending on what you prefer:

• Only breast implant removal
• Breast lifting and implant removal
• Replacement of the implant and any hardened or lumpy tissue, with or without a breast lift

Cosmetic problems can occasionally result from breast explant surgery alone. This comprises:

• Deflation
• Sagging
• Dimpling
• Asymmetry

As a result, your doctor can suggest getting new implants that are a different size or form for you. You might be able to go home, depending on the particulars of your treatment. Everyone’s recovery period is different. While many individuals may return to work in about five days, it will take you approximately six weeks to be ready to resume rigorous activities like lifting and working out. You can speed up your recovery and reduce infection risk by carefully following all postoperative recommendations post breast explant surgery.

What To Anticipate While Undergoing a Breast Implant Removal Procedure

Your doctor may agree to redo your implants with an additional new model during an implant alternate operation. It’s up to you whether you remain with the same type, size, and form. Another option is to combine the surgery with a breast lift or scar tissue removal.

Implant replacement is more expensive than breast implant removal procedures. The initial removal, new implants, and any associated treatments are your responsibility to pay for. Your total out-of-pocket expense might range from $2,500 to $7,000, depending on the treatment bundle and your location.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last and How To Lengthen The Lifespan Of Implants

Unhappiness with the implant’s size and form is one of the stated grounds for breast implant removal.

A person’s tastes evolve naturally over the course of a lifetime. Selecting a size and shape that you think you can live with for ten to twenty years is one of the greatest methods to extend the life of your implants. Other times, regional issues are to blame. For instance, ruptures and deflations frequently.

• Stem from a surgical mistake or everyday wear and tear.
• Pick your surgeon wisely for the greatest results.
• Observe all postsurgical instructions.
• To screen for silicone ruptures, get routine MRIs.

Final Words! Implants Longevity Is Increased With Proper Maintenance

This care starts throughout your breast augmentation recovery and can assist in increasing the longevity of your breast implants. The answer to the question you can get: how long do breast implants last? For instance, your plastic surgeon can advise you to heal while wearing a support garment or surgical bra. If you don’t adhere to these recommendations, the absence of support may cause your sagging to get worse over time. There is no assurance that implants will endure forever.

Working with a board-certified plastic surgeon and adhering to all postoperative guidelines will increase your chances of success. And in case, if your surgeon thinks that breast implant removal is the need for forming your breasts in a better shape, he/she might suggest you undergo an implant removal procedure. 

Note: This reading is only for informational purposes. We neither promote nor demote breast implantation and breast implant removals. Before considering these options to make your breast better appear, we highly recommend you consult your doctor as this procedure includes an element of risk. Be wise before making any such decision.