American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 

Will you need to replace your breast implants?


After doing some online research, many women considering breast implants have the notion that they'll need to replace their implants a decade after surgery. This is due in large part to a 2011 report by the Food and Drug Administration on the safety of silicone implants that noted one out of five patients needed a replacement or revision after 10 years.

A quick look at those numbers, however, should put your mind at ease rather than causing alarm. While one in five women may need another procedure, that means four in five are still enjoying the benefits of their implants 10 years after receiving them.

And those additional procedures 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.

Below are a few of the reasons a follow-up procedure may be necessary after receiving breast implants. They're important to keep in mind when you're considering this surgery – but it's also important to realize that your likelihood of lasting success is high, especially when you work with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Rupture or deflation: Again, this is exceedingly rare in both saline and silicone implants. If it does occur, however, a revision will be necessary.

Development of capsule contracture: If scar tissue forms around your breast, it can harden and change position and/or shape. In these instances, another procedure to replace the implants can alleviate the issue.

Dissatisfaction with initial results, or a desired change in breast size: I have worked with numerous patients who were unhappy with their previous surgeon, as well as women who decided a change in breast size was in order well after their initial procedure.

Plastic surgeons want their patients to be comfortable and confident in the decisions they make regarding surgery. It's a good idea to research the procedure you're considering, of course, but it's just as important to choose a plastic surgeon you trust.


The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Logo

Surgeons In Your Area

Alex Mesbahi Headshot

Alex Mesbahi, MD

7601 Lewinsville Road Suite 400
McLean, VA 22102

(703) 287-8277

Munique Maia Headshot

Munique Maia, MD

8100 Boone Boulevard, Suite 730
Tysons Corner, VA 22182

(703) 574-4500

Victoria Yongsook Suh Headshot

Victoria Yongsook Suh, MD

8503 Arlington Boulevard Suite 130
Fairfax, VA 22031

(703) 846-0097

Fadi Nukta Headshot

Fadi Nukta, MD

20745 Williamsport Pl Suite 100
Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 574-2588

Jamal Yousefi Headshot

Jamal Yousefi, MD

502 Maple Avenue W.
Vienna, VA 22180

(703) 255-4922

Phillip Chang Headshot

Phillip Chang, MD

19500 Sandridge Way Suite 350
Lansdowne, VA 20176

(703) 729-5553

Robert Sigal Headshot

Robert Sigal, MD

1825 Samuel Morse Dr.
Reston, VA 20190

(703) 893-6168

Timothy Mountcastle Headshot

Timothy Mountcastle, MD

44095 Pipeline Plaza Suite 430
Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 858-3208

Logo

Patient Care Center