Even though the results of plastic surgery are long-lasting, there may come a time when you may need to get your breast implants redone (we’re not talking revision surgery here). For the most part, once breast implants are placed within the body, they can last forever as long as there are no changes in shape or volume or evidence of leakage or rupture. But as time and the aging process take place, your breasts may not look as good as they did when they were first done.
Ann Arbor, MI, plastic surgeon Paul Izenberg, MD, explains that some women opt to remove or replace their implants because the implants have ruptured, they have experienced capsular contracture, there is rippling, the position of the implants have shifted, or they want to change their breast size or shape. And only recently have expiration dates been put on breast implants. Northbrook, IL, plastic surgeon Benjamin Schlechter, MD, says that depending on the company, it appears the shelf life is five years.
