Do breast implants need to be replaced?

It’s a commonly-touted piece of advice that breast implants will have to be replaced within a decade or so after receiving surgery. This piece of information can be traced back to one report released by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011 regarding the safety and ramifications of silicone implants. In the report, the FDA claimed that 20% of patients who received breast augmentation surgery required a revision or replacement 10 years after the surgery.

You can rest assured that only one in five women require a revision or replacement after their procedure. This means that four out of five, or 80%, of women who undergo breast augmentation still enjoy the benefits of the surgery even 10 years after the procedure. It’s imperative that these numbers be placed into the appropriate context so that you can have the right perspective when looking at your breast augmentation options.

It’s important to note that many of these additional procedures aren’t due to rupture, deflation, or other accidents. These rare occurrences only account for a small percentage of these revisions or replacements. In fact, only around 3% of all implants are subject to tears or ruptures. A vast majority of revisions are voluntary, meaning that a woman decides to change the size or shape of her breasts again. Some women also desire to have further refinement. Regardless of their justifications, it’s important to remember that most revisions are voluntary in nature.

Here’s what to know about some reasons for opting for revisional surgery.

Deflation or Rupture

Deflations and ruptures are very rare occurrences for both silicone and saline implants. However, a replacement or revision will be required if either of these issues occur. Typically, these complications happen when the implants are subject to a significant amount of force from a fall or something similar. It’s important to check your implants or consult a specialist if you experience an injury.

Capsular Contracture

Capsular contracture is another reason that some women require a replacement or revision of their breast augmentation. This occurs when excessive scar tissue starts forming around the breast and hardens. This hardening can disrupt the size or shape of the breast. A replacement can help alleviate these issues. Your plastic surgeon will make sure what signs of capsular contracture you know to look for during your recovery.

General Dissatisfaction

Some women simply aren’t happy with their initial results. As breast implants are permanent, women who aren’t satisfied with the results naturally want to undergo a second procedure to make some changes. On the other hand, some women will voluntarily undergo another breast augmentation to change the size of their breasts once more. Some women also opt for a different type of implant.

Will I need revisional surgery?

Before undergoing breast augmentation, it’s important to understand all the pros and cons involved with the procedure. One of the cons is the slight chance that you’ll require a replacement or revision in the future. While this is a very slim possibility, it is still something that should be taken into consideration. All reputable and board certified plastic surgeons should be willing to discuss all of these possibilities. Your chosen plastic surgeon should want you to feel comfortable and safe with the procedure and the possibilities of future procedures.

Schedule a Consultation

There are a lot of things to consider before a breast augmentation procedure, and Dr. Prysi can help you make the best and most informed decisions for you and your goals. To get started on discussing your options, contact our Naples office by calling or filling out our online form.

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