Breast Implants - Care and Maintenance Over the Years

1. It’s Been Ten Years

There is much debate over how long a person should keep the same breast implants. Over the years, they can shift, puncture, leak, and possibly weaken. Some surgeons recommend that they need to be replaced every ten years. At the very least, you should consider having your implants checked by a professional and by x-ray for possible tears or other problems every few years to ensure your overall health.

2. They Are Leaking

If you have saline breast implants, you will notice a leak right away. As soon as one breast deflates it’s time to make a visit to your surgeon. If you have silicone, however, leaks and ruptures can take years to detect, and even then an x-ray is usually needed. This is why it’s important to have a regular screening with a professional to ensure they have not torn. While there is no solid evidence that silicone leaks can harm the body, it is best not to take the risk.

3. The Patient Is Dissatisfied

Not happy with the size of your new breasts? Too big or too small? If you find yourself dissatisfied with the size, shape, or feel of your breast implants you may want to consider undergoing a revision. Remember that it may take many months, or even upwards of a year for you to feel comfortable with your new body and for the implants to properly settle, so don’t go running for a revision immediately unless there is a serious or obvious problem. Women that wish to change the size of their implants are fairly common but revision surgery always carries a risk so it try to settle on the right size the first time around.

4. She Is Experiencing Capsular Contracture

If you find the tissue around one or both breast implants is hardening or constricting, you might have what is referred to as capsular contracture. Although no an immediate health risk, it is aesthetically displeasing and can cause emotional distress. The tissue identifies the implant as a foreign object and then tightly wraps around it, making the breasts appear pinched or “bolted” on. Sometimes this condition can be corrected with a revision surgery, but there is always the risk that it will return. The causes for it are still unknown and there are some methods of care, such as breast massage, that may or may not decrease the chance of developing this problem.

5. The Patient or Those Around Her Notice Asymmetry

The way the body heals following any surgery can be unpredictable, which is why there might be some asymmetry or imbalance. One breast may appear larger or higher than the other. While they will never match perfectly, any obvious imbalances can usually be fixed by a skilled surgeon.