Cosmetic Question: How often do I need to change my breast implants so they do not leak or deflate?
Cosmetic Answer: You do not need to have saline or silicone gel implants changed, unless the implant is damaged. The procedure is called Implant Exchange.
Here is what you need to know:
SALINE IMPLANTS
- On average these implants last ten years.
- You will know that they need to be replaced if your breasts seem to be getting smaller or if you notice a significant size difference in one breast and not the other.
- These implants have a one-way valve through which the implants are inflated during surgery. In time, this valve malfunctions, saline leaks out of the implant, which is totally harmless and your breast get smaller and smaller.
- If one implant leaks, usually both are changed at the same time. Especially if the implants are ten years old.
- If your implants are totally soft and the leak has occurred in the past 1-2 weeks, it may be possible to change the implants under local anesthesia in the office.
- Otherwise, the new implants must be put in under general anesthesia in the operating room. This is because if you wait to have them replaced, the tissue around the deflated implant contracts and it will need to be released to make space for the new implant.
- Saline implants do have warranties and if it has not expired, a free replacement pair is provided. The replacement implants must be the same implants that you have already.
GEL IMPLANTS
- These implants do not leak unless they are ruptured in some way.
- A change in shape or the way the implant feels is the usual indication that one is leaking. You probably will not notice that your breasts are smaller.
- Gel implants are always removed under general anesthesia in the operating room. This is because there may be free floating silicone that needs to be removed. This cannot be done in the office.
- The gel implants also have warranties but the warranty does not cover a rupture caused by outside forces. The warranty only covers the implant if it is proved to be defective.
WHAT CAUSES AN IMPLANT TO RUPTURE?
The most common cause is a mammogram. Always tell the technician that you have implants. And if the mammogram is unusually painful, tell the technician to STOP and have someone else do the study.
DO I NEED AN MRI BEFORE IMPLANT REMOVAL?
The FDA recommends an MRI every 2 years if you have gel implants. There is no scientific basis for this recommendation and these studies are very expensive. Usually an Ultrasound study will give the information needed about a possibly ruptured implant. If the results are confusing or inconclusive, then an MRI may be needed. If you have a clearly deflated saline implant, you may not need any study before your implants are exchanged.
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