Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon San Francisco Blog

Serving San Francisco, San Jose, & Walnut Creek, California

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Do Breast Implants Have an Expiration Date?

Breast implants do not have an expiration date or certain amount of time by which they should be replaced. If you are healthy and there are no problems with your implants, they don’t have to be swapped out unless something happens to them.

It is important to keep in mind that breast implants do not last indefinitely. If you have implants, chances are you will need additional surgeries throughout your lifetime. Some reasons for this include:

Asymmetry
Unsatisfactory size or change in tastes
Wrinkling or rippling
Pain or rupture
Pregnancy
Numbness or hardness

Every breast implant will eventually break. That day is different for every patient. Some studies of silicone gel-filled implants suggest that these types last an average of seven to 12 years. However, some women who receive breast implants have experienced a rupture with in the first few months, while others have had their implants in tact for 15 years plus.

A study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that women average at least one broken implant in 11 years.

To learn more about plastic surgery and which procedures and treatments are available to you today, please contact Dr. Weil today to schedule your initial consultation.

posted by Patti at 7:54 AM