How long will my breast implants last and when should I replace them?

Trustpilot

Home » Blog » Breast Implant Removal or Replacement

“What’s the lifespan of my breast implants and should I replace them?”. As a leading provider of cosmetic breast surgery for over 40 years, this is a question patients frequently ask of our Consultant Breast Surgeons.

The average lifespan of a breast implant is around 10 – 15 years. This is why our surgeons recommend you consider removing or replacing your implants around this time frame. It is never intended for breast implants to last a lifetime.

Today’s breast implants, however, tend to last for longer than 10 years. The majority of people with breast implants do not find they run into issues as they age with their implants, and many have their breast implants for decades without any issues.

But overall, the older your implants are – the more at risk you are of complications such as implant rupture.

I’ve had my breast implants for 10 years

Breast implants do not need to be replaced after 10 years if everything else is fine and you are still happy with them. We do suggest that you have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon to discuss your implants – they may refer you to your local breast clinic for an MRI or Ultrasound scan which can check the quality of your implants.

I’ve had my breast implants for 20 years

Breast implants that are 20 years old are most likely nearing the end of their best life. There is no requirement to remove them as a result of this. If you are not noticing any changes to your breast then you may be fine to continue with them. What we do advise, however, is that after 20 years you should have an MRI scan. An MRI scan will be able to determine if your implant is intact and in the correct position still.

If it has been 20 years and you are noticing some changes then it is best to return to your surgeon to seek breast implant removal or replacement.

I’ve had my breast implants for 30 years

If you have had breast implants for 30 years and are not experiencing any issues, then they have lasted very well. We would recommend seeing either your original surgeon or a consultant plastic surgeon who specialises in breast surgery to discuss the pros and cons of keeping the implants.

At this stage, we usually recommend removing or replacing older implants as they are at a more increased risk of experiencing complications

To find out more see our Breast Implant Safety page.

Are there health risks if I don’t replace an older breast implant?

The longer you have your breast implants in, you are more at risk of developing complications. This is why the overall recommendation is to have breast implants removed or replaced after 10-15 years.

These figures are based on a FDA report from 2011. The results of the report found that 20% of patients with implants required additional or implant replacement surgery after 10 years. 80% of patients however did not need any additional surgery after 10 years.

How will I know when my breast implants need replacing?

In most cases, we will recommend that all patients who have had their implants for a number of years should have a scan to check their implants.

There are two types of scan we recommend having to check the integrity of your breast implants and these include an MRI scan or an Ultrasound scan.

What is an MRI scan for breast implants?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is the best type of scan you can get for your breast implants. It has the highest sensitivity and specificity to detect complications such as rupture [3]. The scan involves laying on a flatbed which is then moved inside the circular scanner which is controlled via a computer in a separate room.

What is an Ultrasound scan for breast implants?

An ultrasound (USS) scan can also be used to detect any issues with breast implants. The scan is carried out by applying gel to the area being scanned and then a handheld probe is placed on the area.

How to book an MRI Scan for Breast Implants?

To book an MRI or Ultrasound scan to check on your implants, you can either go to your surgeon or GP. They will both be able to refer you to a local breast clinic to book an appointment for this scan. Another other option is to seek an MRI or Ultrasound scan privately which will normally cost on average £350.

Can I get a mammogram scan to check my implants?

A mammogram scan looks at the density of the breast tissue and is predominantly used for looking at lumps in the breast. It is not suitable for looking at the integrity of breast implants.

A mammogram scan can be performed on someone with implants however, you will just need to let the person performing the scan know so they can adjust the way that they do the mammogram.

What are my breast implant removal options?

At The Private Clinic, we have a variety of breast implant removal options to suit all patients.

  • Breast Implant Removal – A breast implant removal procedure involves removing the implant from the chest. An enbloc or capsulectomy procedure can also be performed by your surgeon if it is deemed appropriate. breast implant removal here.
  • Breast Implant Replacement – A breast implant replacement procedure replaces your existing breast implants with new ones. You can discuss with your surgeon if you would like them to be larger, smaller or of the same size depending on your desired result. breast implant replacement here.
  • Breast Auto Augmentation – If you were happy with the shape of your breasts, but do not wish to have your implants replaced then a breast auto augmentation procedure would be a good option. The procedure uses your existing breast tissue to reshape and enhance the shape of your breasts. Find out more about Breast Auto Augmentation here.

Breast Implant Removal Before and after photos

Breast implant removal before and after results

Breasts after breast implant removal

See more implant removal before and after results photos here.

Breast Implant Replacement surgery before and after photos

Breast implant replacement surgery before after results

Removal and replacement of breast implants before and after results

See more implant replacement before and after results photos here.

Breast Auto Augmentation before and after photos

Breast auto augmentation before and after results

Breast reconstruction after breast implant removal, breast auto augmentation results

See more Breast Auto Augmentation before and after results photos here.

Do breast implants have a lifetime warranty?

All breast implants have a free lifetime warranty with the manufacturer. However, lifetime is often concerning the recommended lifetime of a breast implant which is 10 years. The terms and conditions of these warranties will provide you with more information on what is covered and how long for.

  • Nagor Breast Implants – All Nagor implants implanted after January 1 2009 are covered by a free GCA Comfort Plus Warranty. Breast implants are covered for your lifetime including lifetime replacement for rupture and capsular contracture. They also offer lifetime coverage against BIA-ALCL. Find out more here.
  • Motiva Breast Implants – All Motiva implants are covered by their Always Confident Warranty for ruptures. They are also covered by Motiva’s Product Replacement Policy for instances of Capsular Contracture for 10 years. Find out more here.
  • Mentor Breast Implants – All mentor breast implants are covered by their Mentor Promise Protection Plan for the lifetime of the patient. This covers replacement implants in event of rupture or capsular contracture. Find out more here.
  • B-Lite Implants – All polytech b-lite implants are covered by their Implants of Excellence warranty programme. It offers free replacement implants in instances of rupture and capsular contracture and rotation. Find out more here.

Silicone or Saline? Which breast implant type lasts longest?

Whist silicone breast implants tend to be more resilient than saline breast implants, the overall suggested lifetime for both implants is 10-15 years.

In the UK, you are more likely to have a Breast Enlargement with a silicone implant.

At The Private Clinic, our surgeons only offer silicone breast implants.

Summary

Breast implants on average last 10-20 years. After this time, you should consider getting them removed or replaced. If you are experiencing no issues with your implants after 10+ years, it is still best to seek advice from your plastic surgeon and have an MRI scan.

Breast Implant Removal at The Private Clinic

It is our excellent reputation for patient care and patient safety that makes The Private Clinic a leader in the cosmetic industry.

Breast Implant Removal Expert Surgeons

From the first consultation through to your first-class aftercare. We have some of the most experienced and well-respected consultant plastic surgeons in the industry as part of our breast implant removal team including:

To find out more please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online breast removal contact form to request a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons.

Sources:

Related Blogs & News
how long do breast implants last for
How long will my breast implants last and when should I replace them? “What’s the lifespan of my breast implants and should I replace them?”. As a leading provider of cosmetic breast surgery…
Why would you remove your breast implants? You may have been waiting for ages to finally go ahead with breast implant surgery – so why would you…
Thinking of removing your breast implants? Breast implant surgery remains one of the greatest treatments to drastically enhance and improve the shape, size and overall look…
View all Blog & News