Breast implants aren’t lifetime devices, but they also don’t expire on a set date. Many last well over a decade. The FDA notes that the chance of needing another operation rises the longer you have them. Implants are replaced when there’s a reason: rupture, capsular contracture, a position change, or new goals. Silicone implants need periodic imaging to check for silent rupture.
Common reasons implants are replaced
| Reason | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Rupture | Saline: the breast visibly deflates. Silicone: often no symptoms, found on imaging |
| Capsular contracture | The scar tissue around the implant tightens, making the breast firm, round, or painful |
| Position change | The implant sits too low, too far apart, or shows rippling |
| Body changes | Weight change, pregnancy, or aging shifts the breast over the implant |
| New goals | Wanting a different size, a lift, or removal |
Saline vs silicone rupture
When a saline implant leaks, the salt water is absorbed by the body and the breast shrinks within days. You’ll know. When a silicone implant ruptures, the gel usually stays within the scar capsule, so there may be no change you can see or feel. That’s why the FDA recommends routine imaging for silicone.
The FDA screening schedule for silicone implants
Under current FDA labeling, people with silicone gel implants are advised to get an ultrasound or MRI 5 to 6 years after surgery, then every 2 to 3 years after that, even without symptoms. If symptoms appear or ultrasound results are unclear, an MRI is recommended.
A note on textured implants
A rare cancer of the immune system, breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), has been linked mainly to textured implants. Swelling or a lump around an implant years after surgery should be evaluated. Most implants placed today are smooth.
What replacement involves
Replacing an implant is usually an outpatient procedure. It may include removing some or all of the scar capsule, changing size or type, or adding a lift. Recovery is often similar to or shorter than the original augmentation.
How Mafi MD approaches it
Dr. Parham Mafi, MD, FACS, performs breast surgery at the practice’s AAAHC-accredited surgery center in Fresno. Implant patients receive their device information for their records and a follow-up plan that includes the recommended screening schedule.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to replace my implants every 10 years?
- No. That’s a common myth. Replace them when there’s a problem or your goals change.
- Can I get a mammogram with implants?
- Yes. Tell the imaging center so they use special views.
- What if I want them out entirely?
- Removal is possible, often with a lift to reshape the breast.
Medically reviewed by Parham Mafi, MD, FACS, board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of The Aesthetic Society and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Breast surgery is performed at the AAAHC accredited surgery center at Mafi Plastic Surgery in Fresno, California.
This article is general education, not a treatment recommendation. Whether an implant needs attention depends on an exam and, for silicone, on imaging. Call (559) 890-6500 to schedule a consultation.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Breast Implants: Certain Labeling Recommendations to Improve Patient Communication (guidance, 2020).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) information.