The lifespan of breast implants is a very common concern for patients considering breast augmentation. You may be wondering: how long do breast implants last? How often do they need to be replaced? What happens to breast implants over time? And where to go for breast implant revision Baltimore.
Many women mistakenly believe that breast implants have to be replaced every 10 years. Most silicone and saline implants are FDA approved for 10-20 years, but this does not mean that you have to get them replaced every 10-20 years.
In 2011, the FDA released this report on the safety of silicone breast implants. According to the report, after 10 years of an initial breast augmentation, 1 out of 5 patients need some sort of breast implant revision Baltimore procedure. That means 20% of patients need another operation due to excess scarring inside the breast (capsular contracture), broken implant etc. That also means that 80% of the patient’s breast implants are fine at 10 years! Since 2011, there are newer fifth generation gummy bear implants. These implants appear sturdier than the implants studied in 2011.
If you’re having an issue such as hardening or rippling, or potential rupture, you may need to change out your breast implants. However with proper monitoring (self-exams, mammograms), you don’t need to automatically replace your implants every 10 years.
When a patient undergoes breast augmentation, the initial results are beautifully shaped breasts that appear fuller and youthful. Breast augmentation is an investment in yourself and you should do all you can to minimize the need for revision surgery. Here are some tips to maintain your results!
Wear properly fitted bras
Push-up bras can do more harm than good for your breasts. Studies show that wearing bras with too much lift can weaken the supportive ligaments and muscles. This can potentially speed up the aging process, as your muscles won’t be able to handle the weight of your breasts on their own. Be gentle on your body and wear comfortable, but not overly supportive bras.
Watch your posture
Sitting with poor posture can cause your breasts to pull forward for extended periods of time—potentially causing them to sag. Try to stand and sit up straight and avoid hunching or rounding your shoulders.
Sleep on your back
We spend around a third of our lives sleeping, but snoozing on your side or front can stretch out ligaments in breast tissue. Sleeping on your back provides the ligaments support and reduces the pull of gravity. If you struggle to stay positioned on your back throughout the night, try placing a pillow under each arm to keep your body in place.
Good Skincare
Our skin is our largest organ, but also one of the most delicate parts of the body. Sun exposure can cause damage and stretch out tissue, so don’t sunbathe or tan excessively. Always use a good sunscreen whenever you’re outside, and wear protective clothing when necessary. While it may be tempting to choose a tan over skin safety, know that your body will thank you in the long run.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Smoking and drinking can dry out your skin and hair, so cut back on these habits when possible. Also, avoid “yo-yo dieting” as extreme weight changes can break down the elasticity in your skin. Try to keep at a consistent weight via healthy food and proper exercise. Give your body the nutrient-dense fuel it needs to keep your skin and muscles strong.
Exchanging breast implants or additional breast augmentations aren’t always due to deflation or a rupture of the implant (which are rare occurrences), affecting only about 3% of implants. Many revisions are by choice, when women decide they want to change their size or have further refinement. In addition, as you age, your implants may shift, especially if you have had children or gain / lose significant amounts of weight.
Most of Dr. Schreiber’s patients only have to have 1-2 replacements in their lifetime. The length of time you can safely go between replacements will depend on the type of implant you receive and your physiology. Dr. Schreiber will discuss the life of your implants with you before your procedure. Last but not least, you may want to trade your current implants for larger or smaller implants in the future. This is a perfectly valid reason to get your implants replaced!
For more information and to see before and afters from breast augmentation Baltimore procedures Dr. Schreiber has performed, click here. To schedule your consultation for a breast implant revision Baltimore, call us at (410) 205-1846.