Breast Implant Maintenance

Breast Implant Maintenance: What Patients Should Know

Breast implants can provide beautiful, long-lasting results, but they are not considered lifetime devices. Whether you currently have breast implants or are considering breast augmentation in Wichita, Kansas, understanding proper breast implant maintenance is an important part of protecting your health and maintaining your results.

Regular follow-up care, appropriate imaging, routine breast cancer screenings, and knowing which changes to watch for can help identify potential complications early.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

There is no exact expiration date for breast implants. Some patients may have their implants for many years without experiencing problems, while others may need revision surgery sooner.

Breast implants do not automatically need to be replaced after 10 years. However, the risk of complications, including rupture, capsular contracture, changes in position, or changes in breast appearance, may increase over time.

At approximately 10 years after placement, the risk of rupture is about 10% and continues to increase by approximately 1% each year after that. Typically, many women return 15 to 20 years after placement for new implants.

Your plastic surgeon may recommend replacing or removing your implants if:

• An implant has ruptured
• You develop capsular contracture
• The implant changes position
• You experience persistent pain or discomfort
• Your breasts change with pregnancy, aging, or weight fluctuations
• You would like to change the size, shape, or type of your implants

Routine visits with a board-certified plastic surgeon can help determine whether your implants remain in good condition or whether breast implant revision surgery should be considered.

Monitoring Silicone Breast Implants

A silicone breast implant rupture can sometimes occur without noticeable symptoms. This is commonly called a silent rupture.

With silicone implants, the FDA recommends getting an MRI five years after placement and then every other year after that to check for rupture.

Your plastic surgeon can help determine which type of imaging is most appropriate based on your implants, medical history, symptoms, and previous imaging results.

Insurance coverage for breast implant imaging can vary, so patients should check with their insurance provider and imaging facility before scheduling an appointment.

Monitoring Saline Breast Implants

Routine imaging to check for rupture is generally not necessary with saline breast implants.

When a saline implant ruptures, the sterile saline is absorbed by the body and the affected breast typically loses volume. This deflation is usually noticeable.

Although the saline itself is safely absorbed, surgery is generally needed to remove the empty implant shell and replace the implant when desired.

Mammograms and Breast Implants

Patients with breast implants should continue receiving age-appropriate breast cancer screenings and mammograms.

Always tell the imaging center that you have breast implants when scheduling your mammogram. The mammography technologist can perform special implant-displacement views, which move the implant back while bringing the natural breast tissue forward for clearer imaging.

Breast implants do not replace the need for routine breast cancer screening. Recommendations may vary depending on your age, family history, personal medical history, and other risk factors, so follow the screening schedule recommended by your primary care provider or breast health specialist.

Signs You Should Contact Your Plastic Surgeon

Changes involving your breasts or implants should not be ignored. Contact your plastic surgeon promptly if you experience:

• A sudden change in breast size or shape
• Increasing firmness or tightness
• Persistent breast pain
• New or worsening asymmetry
• Swelling, especially if it develops years after surgery
• A new lump in the breast or armpit
• Redness, warmth, drainage, or other signs of infection
• A noticeable change in implant position
• Rippling, wrinkling, or changes in the way the implant feels

These symptoms do not always mean that an implant has ruptured or that a serious complication has occurred. However, they should be evaluated so your surgeon can determine whether an examination or imaging is needed.

Breast Implant Follow-Up in Wichita, Kansas

Breast implant maintenance does not necessarily mean that your implants must be replaced on a strict schedule. It means continuing to monitor your breast health, attending recommended follow-up appointments, completing appropriate imaging, and paying attention to changes in your breasts.

At Heartland Plastic Surgery & Beauty, patients can receive personalized guidance regarding breast implant maintenance, implant imaging, breast implant removal, and breast implant revision surgery in Wichita, Kansas.

Whether your breast implants were placed recently or many years ago, an evaluation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can help you better understand the condition of your implants and the options available to you.

Schedule a consultation with Heartland Plastic Surgery & Beauty in Wichita, Kansas, to discuss concerns about your breast implants or learn more about breast implant revision and replacement.