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Just So You Know, Your Breast Implants Are Going to Need an Update

Fashion designer using a measuring tape on a mannequin.

Fashion designer using a measuring tape on a mannequin.Updates: if you are talking about your computer, they are the bane of your existence and are always needed at exactly the wrong moment. But not all updates are bad.

Like updating your breast implants, for instance. It gives you the chance to fine-tune your look while also keeping you safe.

When people think about plastic surgery, they tend to frame the results as lasting forever. While it is true that plastic surgery creates permanent changes, when considering the results, it is better to think of them as long term rather than for life.

While any plastic surgery will see results change with age and weight gain and loss, breast augmentation specifically requires periodic replacement of the implants. So, when do you have to replace breast implants? And why exactly is this needed?

The Lifespan of Breast Implants

Breast implants don’t last forever. It is important that you know the signs to look for and replace them when needed.

Breast augmentation has been a thing longer than most people realize. Breast implants have been in use since the 1960s, but back then, they were highly unstable and needed frequent replacement. Modern versions have been significantly improved thanks to decades of research, offering greater safety and durability. Still, nothing lasts forever, not even your boosted breast friends.

At the same time, there is no universal answer to how long breast implants last. They don’t come with an expiration date. However, you can expect that they will wear down over time due to the friction that ordinary physical activity generates, and if you are athletic, expect that friction to be even greater.

Although you won’t know the exact date your implants need to be replaced, a little math can help you estimate their lifespan. For both saline and silicone implants, it is estimated that the risk of leaks or rupture increases by one percent for each year you have them. So, after 10 years, there is a 90-percent chance that your implants will still be intact; after 20 years, there is an 80-percent chance that they will still be healthy, and so on.

And let’s be honest — by the time you are decades in, chances are gravity will have you looking for a revision anyhow.

Most manufacturers list the lifespan of their implants as an average of 10 years. If you have saline implants, any leaks or ruptures should quickly be evident, as the body will absorb the saline solution and the implants will deflate. With silicone, an MRI is usually needed. As a result, you might need to have an MRI done every so often to make sure your implants are still safe, but this typically won’t be recommended until after the ten-year mark. You should also keep an eye out for any signs your breast augmentation is in need of a redo.

When to Talk to a Surgeon

If it has been ten years since you got your implants, it is a good idea to sit down for a revision consult. Even if you aren’t set on getting them replaced, talking to an expert can help you feel better about the current state of your implants and help you determine when you next need to do a little “check-up” on your implants.

Of course, if you are in any way unhappy with your implants, don’t hesitate to schedule a revision. Whether it is the shape, size or material you want to change, there is no reason to live with boobs that don’t make you happy.

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Just So You Know, Your Breast Implants Are Going to Need an Update
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Just So You Know, Your Breast Implants Are Going to Need an Update
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Nothing lasts forever, including your implants. Plastic surgery personality RaveBabe explains how long implants last and when you have to replace them.
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RAVEbabe
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