The latest plastic surgery procedural statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows that breast augmentation topped the list in 2017 with 300, 378 procedures, up 3 percent from 2016. Even as the popularity of the procedure soars, Manhattan breast augmentation specialists report that one of the main concerns women have relates to how long their breast implants will last.
The question about the longevity of breast implants arises in women’s minds because of a 2011 report by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the safety of silicone implants which mentioned that one out of five patients would need a replacement or revision after 10 years. So do women really need to change their implants after a decade? An ASPS report published in January 2018 says that the FDA statistics should put women’s minds at ease rather than cause alarm as it means that while “one out of five patients need a replacement or revision after 10 years that means four in five are still enjoying the benefits of their implants 10 years after receiving them”.
The idea that they may be a breast lift or an implant replacement discourages many women from getting a procedure. It gives rise to concerns about long-term costs and future surgeries. However, as the ASPS points out, the FDA’s data shouldn’t be a cause for concern as:
- While breast implants may not be lifetime devices, they are designed to be long lasting and safe.
- Most revisions or replacements relate to change in size or further improvements
- Deflation or rupture of the implant occur only rarely and affect only about 3% of implants.
Today’s fourth- and fifth-generation Breast implants are safe and you can expect lasting outcomes when your procedure is performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. The reasons follow-up procedure may be needed after breast implant surgery are:
- Deflation or rupture: According to the ASPS, saline and silicone implants rupture or deflate very rarely. However, revision surgery will be needed if this occurs. While saline is sterile, silicone gel can leak into the breast tissue or even other parts of the body. Moreover, in a conventional silicone gel implant, leaks involve “silent rupture” and can be detected only by an MRI scan. On the other hand, with the newer IDEAL implants, women can detect rupture by simply looking in the mirror.
- Development of capsule contracture:Â If scar tissue forms around the breast, it can harden and change position and/or shape. In this case, this issue can be addressed by replacing the implant.
- Aging: Many patients choose to replace their implants because of the natural effects of aging such as increased skin laxity, changes in body weight, and hormone shifts. These can affect the appearance of breasts that have undergone augmentation.
- Dissatisfaction with initial results: Women may opt for revision surgery if they are not satisfied with the results that the plastic surgeon provided.
- Change in breast size:Â Women may desire a change in their breast size well after their initial procedure due to a new trend or implant. While patients previously chose large, dramatic-looking breast implants, today, many women are requesting small size implants that are natural-looking and do not appear surgically enhanced. When a change in size is required, replacement or revision is an unavoidable procedure.
Women should do their research as there are many things they need to understand before going ahead with breast implant surgery. Those who have breast augmentation need to be prepared for the follow up surgery in future so that they won’t be disheartened if a revision or replacement is needed, which is a rare thing to happen. No medical device can be expected to last for lifetime, and as you age, your body will change and anatomical changes can occur which may lead to the need for additional surgery for a replacement or revision implant surgery.
If you are considering breast augmentation in Manhattan, find an AAAASF accredited plastic surgery practice with surgeons who are experts in the procedure. Reliable surgeons offer a variety of implants and use advanced techniques to provide safe treatment and attractive outcomes.