How Long Do Implants Last? Saline, Silicone, When To Remove, More

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Skin Care

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D., Plastic Surgery — Written by Corinne O'Keefe Osborn — Updated on January 25, 2019

Signs to watch for
Removal
Replacement
Tips for longevity
Takeaway

What’s the average duration?

Although breast implants don’t actually expire, they aren’t guaranteed to last a lifetime. The average saline or silicone implants may last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.

However, many are removed sooner due to complications or cosmetic concerns. Up to 20 percent of people have their implants removed or replaced within 8 to 10 years.

Wondering if it’s time to have yours replaced? Read on to find out symptoms to watch for, what you can expect from removal, and more.

Signs that replacement or removal is necessary

The following complications may necessitate breast implant removal.

Hardening

Many people develop capsular contracture, or hardened scar tissue around one or both implants.

This can also cause tightness, pain, tenderness, and abnormal cosmetic changes to the breast.

In some cases, hardening may happen more than once to the same breast.

Saline rupture (leakage and deflation)

If a saline breast implant ruptures because of a tear or hole in the implant’s shell, it will begin to deflate like a balloon.

The saline in your implant will leak out and get reabsorbed by your body. This leak can happen all at once or slowly over the course of a few days.

The deflation may not become obvious until all of the saline leaks out. The affected breast will lose its size and shape and look dramatically different from your other breast.

Breast implant ruptures are rare in the first few years, but the risk does increase over time.

Silicone rupture (silent rupture)

Silicone implants can also rupture.

Silicone gel is much thicker than saline. When a silicone implant ruptures, the gel will often stay inside the implant or surrounding scar tissue.

Because of this, ruptured silicone implants often go unnoticed. That’s why silicone ruptures are also known as silent ruptures.

Most people don’t experience any symptoms. When symptoms are present, they can include:

decreased breast size
hard knots
an uneven appearance of the breasts
pain or tenderness
tingling
swelling
numbness
burning
changes in sensation

Although the exact rate of silicone rupture is unknown, it’s estimated to be somewhere between 2 and 12 percent.

Some implants rupture immediately, some after several years, and others after 10 years or more.

Rippling and palpability

Rippling occurs when the implant develops wrinkles or ripples. Palpability refers to the ability to feel these ripples when you touch your breast. In some cases, these changes can also be seen through the skin.

If you see or feel wrinkling in your implant, you may want to consider replacing or removing it.

Change in position

Breast implants don’t prevent your breasts from sagging as you age. Gravity is still going to take its toll. Weight gain and loss can also cause stretching and sagging of the breasts.

You may also notice that one breast hangs lower than the other, or that your nipples point in different directions than before.

If you’re bothered by these changes, getting a breast lift or implant replacement may help return your breasts to their previous appearance.

What to expect with implant removal

Any qualified plastic surgeon can remove your breast implants. It doesn’t need to be the same surgeon who did your first surgery.

During an initial consultation, the surgeon you choose will evaluate the state of your current implants and discuss your surgical options.

Depending on your preferences, your surgeon can do any of the following:

implant removal alone
implant removal and breast lift
removal of hardened or lumpy tissue
implant replacement with or without breast lift

Sometimes, implant removal alone can lead to cosmetic abnormalities. This includes:

deflation
sagging
dimpling
asymmetry

Because of this, your doctor may recommend replacing your implants with implants of a different size or shape.

Depending on the specifics of your procedure, you may be able to return home the day of your surgery. Recovery time differs for everyone.

Many people are able to resume working in about five days, but it’ll be about six weeks until you can resume strenuous activities like exercising and lifting.

Following all postoperative instructions can help improve your healing time and prevent infection.

What to expect with implant replacement

Implant replacement is a procedure in which your doctor switches out your implants for a newer model. Whether you stick to the same type, size, and shape is up to you,

The procedure may also be combined with a breast lift or scar tissue removal.

The cost of implant replacement is higher than that of implant removal. You’ll need to pay for the initial removal, replacement implants, and any related procedures.

Depending on your procedure package and geographic location, your overall out-of-pocket cost may be anywhere from $2,500 to $7,000.

How to increase implant longevity

One of the most commonly cited reasons for removal is unhappiness with the implant size and shape.

It’s natural for tastes to change over the course of a lifetime. One of the best ways to make your implants last is to pick a size and shape that you feel like you can live with for 10 to 20 years.

In other cases, local complications are to blame. Ruptures and deflations, for example, often result from normal wear and tear or surgical error.

For the best outcomes:

Choose your surgeon carefully.
Follow all postoperative instructions.
Get regular MRIs to check for silicone ruptures.

The bottom line

Implants aren’t guaranteed to last a lifetime. You may need to have them removed or replaced for a variety of reasons.

The best way to ensure their longevity is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon and follow all postoperative instructions.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Breast implant complications. (2018).https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/implantsandprosthetics/breastimplants/ucm259296.htm
Hillard C, et al. (2017). Silicone breast implantrupture: A review. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.21037%2Fgs.2016.09.12
Maurizio BN, et al. (2017). How to preventcomplications in breast augmentation.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409896/
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Breast implants:Silicone vs. saline.https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/breast-implants/art-20045957
Need to have your breast implants removed? Here’s whatto expect. (2017).https://aestheticplasticsurgeons.org.au/news/breast-implants-removal-what-to-expect/

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Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D., Plastic Surgery — Written by Corinne O'Keefe Osborn — Updated on January 25, 2019

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