Do Breast Implants Ever Need to be Replaced?
By Stanley Okoro | Published on December 9, 2010 | 0 Comments
At Georgia Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Stanley Okoro MD has performed a countless number of surgeries on patients in Marietta, Georgia requesting breast implants. And while many patients are concerned with the here and now, Dr. Okoro also asks that they imagine the rest of their lives with their new implants as well.
To say that you will never need an implant replacement is impossible. However, although implants have not been proven to be a lifetime addition to your body, Dr. Okoro says that there is no evidence that you will need to have your implants replaced. The time won’t come when the implant simply is not doing its job any more. Unless there is an immediate problem, then many times, he says, an implant can last upwards of 20 to 30 years. Instead, Dr. Okoro continues, implants are generally replaced because of a patient’s personal preferences. Common reasons that people request new implants include changes in size, shape, or position.
As with many cosmetic surgeries, there are a number of variables that must be considered when predicting the life of an implant. For starters, when you first choose the type of implant you will receive, either silicone or saline, you may want to take into consideration how the implants age. In some cases, Dr. Okoro says, saline may not remain as full as a silicone implant.
It is also important that you strongly consider the size of the implant you are choosing. Dr. Okoro says that he urges patients to be reasonable. Though the final decision is ultimately the patient’s, your doctor should take the necessary measurements of your chest and make professional recommendations as to what sizes will look best and most proportionate to your body’s frame. The bigger your implants are, he says, the more likely it is that problems may arise in the future. If an implant that is too large is placed inside of your breast, it may cause the breast tissue to abnormally stretch, thus resulting in complications.
Dr. Okoro compares the process of selecting your breast implants to carefully choosing a pair of shoes. If you end up choosing a pair that isn’t the right size, then the shoes will most likely cause blisters. While blisters on your feet are a minor annoyance and will heal relatively quickly, the wrong breast implant could be inside of you for a very long time. You can easily eliminate these complications, however, by listening to your doctor’s recommendations and selecting your perfect fit.
Time, and how it affects your body, must also be taken into consideration as well. It is only natural that your breasts will sag as you age. If you choose to undergo breast augmentation at the age of 25, then by the time you turn 60, it is very likely that you will need a breast lift. During your breast lift, Dr. Okoro explains, you may then choose to have your original implants replaced with alternatives that you feel better fit the shape of your body at the time.
When it comes to breast implants, it really all comes down to your own individual preferences. With the exception of any unforeseen complications, Dr. Okoro says, it is entirely safe to have an implant inside of your breast for a very long time. So when you do make this long term choice for yourself, it is important that you are confident that you have made the right one.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.