A commonly asked question I get is: “How often do I have to change my breast implants?”. Many patients are under the assumption that implants need to be changed every ten years. This is not true. If you have no problems or complaints with your breast implants, then you do not have to exchange or change them at all. The most common reason to change breast implants is to go to a bigger size. Another common reason to have a second surgery is if you develop hard scar tissue around the implants, called capsular contracture. Implants can also leak or rupture, which happens slightly more frequently with saline implants than with silicone implants. Basically, if you get breast implants today, within ten years, there is about a 25% chance you will undergo a second surgery-typically for one of the reasons stated above. You do not HAVE to change your implants just because it’s been ten years.
Breast augmentation remains the most popular cosmetic surgery performed in Beverly Hills and the United States, with about 400,000 women undergoing this procedure each year. The majority of patients are very happy with their surgery, however, implants can rupture or lead to hard scar tissue formation. Discuss this in detail with your plastic surgeon before having a breast augmentation. Generally speaking, most patients will have a second surgery at some point in their lifetime.
If you have any questions about breast augmentation please call our Beverly Hills Office at 310-461-3855 for more information.
William Bruno, MD
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Beverly Hills, CA