"I've Had Breast Implants for Years. Should I Get Them Changed?"
Worried you need to replace your breast implants every 10 years? The truth might surprise you.
Short answer: No, you don’t need to get your breast implants automatically replaced after a set number of years. The FDA and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons confirm that implants don’t have an expiration date.
That said, breast implants aren’t a “set it and forget it” procedure. Like any medical device, they require ongoing monitoring and can develop issues over time. Up to 20% of women with cosmetic implants need revision surgery within 10 years, according to a 2011 FDA report.
That sounds scary, but it also means that 80% of patients are doing fine at 10 years. The key is to have regular checkups to see if it’s best to replace (or remove) them.
Speaking of: When should you consider replacing breast implants?
When To Replace Breast Implants
There are a few reasons:
- Implant rupture: Silicone implants can develop tears where gel filler leaks out. These ruptures can be "silent" and cause no noticeable symptoms, which is why the FDA recommends MRI or high-resolution ultrasound screening 5-6 years after surgery and every 2–3 years after that.
- Capsular contracture: When scar tissue hardens around the implant, it can cause pain or distortion.
- Implant movement, rippling, or cosmetic dissatisfaction: Sometimes implants shift position, develop visible rippling, or you’re simply no longer happy with how they look or feel. These are all perfectly valid reasons to consider revision surgery.
What About Textured Implants?
If you have textured implants (the so-called “gummy bear” implant), talk with your surgeon, as your implants might have come from a manufacturer that’s linked to a rare cancer called BIA-ALCL (breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma).
Don’t panic—only about 5% of all implants in the US are in this category! But it’s important you know and stay informed, as it’s been everywhere in the news headlines for the past 5-8 years.
Bottom line? If you’re healthy and symptom-free, you don’t need to replace your implants just because a decade has passed.
But you do need regular follow-ups with a board-certified plastic surgeon and imaging (usually an MRI). Your health and comfort should always lead the decision-making.
This question came directly from a member of the Ajenda community.
