Should You Replace Your Breast Implants After 10 Years?

Updated for 2018

One of the urban legends that surrounds breast implants is that they have to be replaced every 10 years. This myth likely developed from the fact that most implants have a manufacturer’s warranty for 10 years. So, how do these warranties work, and how do you know when you need to replace your breast implants?

A Deeper Look into Breast Implant Warranties

Breast implant replacement precisely at the 10-year mark isn’t always an absolute.

Breast implant manufacturers generally offer a 10-year warranty on their implants and will provide replacement implants free of charge if they fail during the warranty period. They also offer some financial assistance to be applied toward the additional cost of implant replacement, such as your plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists or operating room fees.

When Replacement Is Necessary

If you suspect an implant leak or rupture has occurred, visit your plastic surgeon to discuss your replacement options. A deflated saline implant should be quite obvious, while an MRI may be necessary to determine if a silicone implant has failed.

Capsular contracture, the development of hardened scar tissue around the implant that causes the breast to feel hard, can be another reason to consider breast augmentation revision.

It’s a Woman’s Prerogative to Change Her Mind

Maybe you got your breast implants when you were much younger and are no longer happy with the size, or perhaps you originally chose saline implants but would like to switch to silicone. Many women update their breast implants after weight loss or following pregnancy or childbirth.

These are some of the scenarios when breast implant revision surgery may be a wonderful option to enjoy breast augmentation results that match your figure and your current phase of life. However, if you’re still happy with your implants past their tenth birthday and there’s no sign of implant failure, there’s no hard and fast rule about replacing them.