There is no definitive timeline on how long breast implants will last. At Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. James N. Romanelli and Dr. John Layliev generally suggest that implants will last 10 to 20 years with proper care. However, there are instances when their Long Island, NY patients may need to remove them sooner due to cosmetic issues or complications. Our professional team can provide helpful tips on what symptoms to watch for that can lead to replacing breast implants at a consultation in our Huntington, NY office.
Signs that your implants should be replaced or removed
There are many factors that contribute to the need for removing or replacing breast implants, including:
Hardening: Capsular contracture is hardened scar tissue around one or both implants. This can lead to tenderness, tightness, and pain.
Silicone rupture: While silicone gel is much thicker than saline, it can rupture. The gel will stay inside the implant though. This is why it is called a silent rupture; it goes unnoticed. Decreased breast size, hard knots, uneven breasts, or tingling are all signs of silicone ruptures.
Saline rupture: If a saline breast implant ruptures, it will deflate like a balloon. This saline will leak out and reabsorb into the body. This will affect the size and shape of the breasts.
Rippling: Rippling can occur when an implant develops wrinkles. If you see, or even feel this rippling, it’s important to contact Dr. Romanelli or Dr. Layliev to discuss breast implant replacement or removal.
Position changes: Breast implants do not prevent gravity from causing future sagging. You may notice that one breast is lower than the other. A breast implant replacement or breast lift can return the breasts to their perkier position.
How will I know if I have a rupture?
For saline implants, you will notice deflation. Your breasts will look smaller and feel less firm. However, it’s harder to detect ruptures with silicone implants. If you suspect that your breast implants may need removal or replacing, an MRI can quickly detect a rupture. Many surgeons suggest MRIs at three years post-op, and every two years after, to look for ruptures.
In terms of risk, saline implant ruptures aren’t anything to worry about as the body naturally absorbs the sterile saltwater. Silicone implant rupture does not pose any health risk either, but it’s still important to have breast implant removal to remove these damaged breast implants.
Breast implant removal procedure
At Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Romanelli and Dr. Layliev can perform breast implant removal procedures at their Long Island, NY surgical center. During a consultation, we will evaluate the state of your implants and discuss your surgical options with you. We can suggest an implant removal with a breast lift and removal of hardened tissue. Implant removal on its own can lead to cosmetic issues, such as sagging, dimpling, and asymmetry. This is why we recommend replacing implants.
During breast implant removal surgery, the implants are removed, as well as any scar tissue. This can lead to discomfort and changes the way the breast forms. The recovery period will vary from patient to patient, but most patients can resume normal activity in a few weeks. Optimal results occur after four months of recovery.
Breast implant replacement
Implant replacement allows our plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery to switch out your implants for newer ones. This procedure is, oftentimes, combined with scar tissue removal or a breast lift. The cost of implant replacement is higher than implant removal since you will need to pay for the removal, the replacement implants, and any other related procedures you choose, such as a lift.
Learn if your breast implants should be replaced in Long Island, NY
Breast implants are not guaranteed to last forever. This means that you may need to have them removed or replaced for many reasons. At Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. James N. Romanelli and Dr. John Layliev specialize in examining patients and determining whether or not breast implant removal is important to their overall health. They are board-certified and experienced in resolving issues related to breast augmentation. To learn more about breast implant removal and replacement, call today to schedule a consultation at our Huntington, NY office.
