Has anyone had to have their breast augmentation re-done after so many years? Are you supposed to?

I had mine done 15 years ago. I read on another board that you should have them replaced every 10 years.

I will say that I wish I hadn't gone with the tear drop shape, silicone with a texture on the outside. They do look natural, ( my husband was shocked when I told him...hehe) but if I have to have them replaced, I think I'll get a little more fullness upper chest.

I've had mine about 15 years too. Right now I see no need to replace mine, do you?

"they" say implants are to last 10 yrs...but i think many last much much longer. i think that is sort of a disclaimer...they have to give you worst case scenario. supposedly after 10 yrs they can start breaking down, but a friend of mine has had her silicone's for over 25+ years and has no problems.

if it ain't broke....:)

I'm glad this came up because I was wondering what I would do if something happened, leaking, etc. I had mine in 1978!!!! And can you believe it was a whole $900.00? I'm still very happy with the way they look and they hang just enough to really look real. I don't have that unatural look at the top of my breasts. I don't think I have any problems, but I need to have a mammagram within a month or so. I assume you would have some symptoms if they were leaking.

kj:wave:

Had mine 18 years w/no problems BUT last night on tv a cosmetic surgeon said, "ALL implants leak at 20 years" and I remember the agony after the surgery and am so bugged out thinking of getting them replaced. Some women actually have them removed and just let the skin hang so they'll never again have to think about removal. I just don't know what to do; I guess I was told they lasted forever. Intact. I think it's Much more expensive to replace them than to just get your first set, too. Now I'm old and so embarrassed. DON'T LOOK* OLD, THOUGH!!! LOL !

I got my silicone implants in 1990, I would really like to have them replaced, I've read and talked to different people who say after 10-15 years they should be replaced. and I'm so afraid of getting a mammogram, I have always gotten mine in the past, but not anymore this is the first year that I didn't go out of fear that they could rupture. I wonder what it cost now to get them replaced???

cindy4hope

I had silcone breast implants 20 years ago, I would like to have them replaced. anyone know what the cost is these days??

cindy4hope

I wish I could help you 'cause I have the exact same problem. I THINK, but I'm not sure, that they charge a LOT MORE to replace than to do the first placement. Maybe that's one reason no one says to replace them "unless they're giving you problems." What problems besides leakage? So they say, "no reason to replace them Mrs Doe, but if you insist you'll have to take out a second mortgage."

I've had my implants for 26 years (saline) and just had a mammo that shows a rupture on my left side. I'm upset. My gyno says to call Plastic Surgeon and have an MRI. Then what? Explants? Replacement? I don't know what to do . I'm jumping the gun and getting all nervous here.

grace, I agree w/the other poster who said that saline ruptures result in an immediate (or close) deflation of the implant. That you'd go flat right away, so to speak. You have surgery coming up soon, I'd suspect. Good luck.

I had my silicone implants 20+ years before I had them replaced almost 4 years ago. Doctor said they were not ruptured but looked like they might not last much longer. I was so glad I could get silicone again because I really didn't want saline. To me, the second surgery was not as bad as the first. I think the cost was something like $5000and worth every cent. They're very natural looking--not the cantaloupe effect.

Where did you have your surgery Janet? I live in Tennessee, I haven't checked on the cost of replacing the implants yet. Hoping that it will be no more then $5,000. I think I payed 2,500 twenty years ago. take care ladies

Cindy4hope

I'm in south Alabama.

I had mine removed and my skin does not hang and I did not get a lift and 43 years old.

My friend's mom has had her implants 29 years and they look beautiful...so???

I had mine less than a year and had a leak so you just never know when that will happen. I know of alot of women who had the same problem and now have silicone in their bodies.



I would not worry as much about replacing your implants as much as I would NOT going for your annual mammogram! I am not sure how old you are - but all the plastic surgeon's stress you must still go for your annual mammos after age 40!!! Implants are TOUGH - they are built to endure more then the squeeze of a mammogram!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No one would get implants if they ruptured that easy! AND if you have had them for twenty five years you are way past due for a replacement anyway - they are not meant to last that long!

I agree I had saline and they can get bacteria. I am not saying this happens to everyone but there is always a chance. Do you have implants?

I would rather saline leaking into my body then silicone - that is one worry I don't need, just my opinion.

I just have another opinion and we can express that here I thought. Yes that has happened to me and I had them out in Dec. I also have Lupus, Fibromyaliga etc. I know of doctors that do not like implants. I did not think mine looked real at all but thats me and I am glad you like yours. I am hoping one day it will be our tissue instead of implants there are studies being done growing our tissue and using that instead of implants. Not everyone can have/use implants because of reactions to the shell etc. I am thinking most of the cancer survivors that I have seen that had a reaction to them. I hate the thought of constant replacement every 10 years and was another reason for getting them removed. Not trying to make anyone upset just what has happened to me and some other women I know.



The whole bacteria scare is VERY rare - how long ago did that happen to you? This board isn't really the place to learn about the pros and cons of saline and silicone implants. :) There are boards such as implant forum and implant info that have loads of information, studies, manufacturer information etc.

Yes I have Inamed saline implants and I love them! Someone said something about saline implants being like cantelopes and it made me laugh. Saline and silicone (once fully healed and dropped) look the same - you can't visually tell a difference. It is all in surgeon skill - silicones can look VERY fake too - check out Pam Anderson or Anna Nicole Smith (RIP). As for feel it is preference, i know plenty of women with salines and I have felt them and they feel and look natural enough for me!

One day when mine need to be replaced I am sure they will be out with something new and the newer silicones will have been on the market a lot longer - based on the safety at that time I will make my choice. But for me, the safety of saline could not be surpassed - and I did not meet with one Plastic Sureon, gynocologist or MD who disagreed with me.

Have a nice day!

Hi all, I had my saline implants for about 8 years and had them under the muscle. On March 9 I had a hemorrhoidectomy and then on the 21 of March I had my implants replaced with the silicone, the same size. Let me tell you my boobs never hurt at all, just a little soreness and thats it. My bottom is still in agony. First off the pocket is already there when you get them replaced, so they just slip the new ones in, no big deal.

Hi, I'm wondering after reading all these posts if you think 48 is too old to get implants? How much does it cost about? Also it is very dangerous as far as being able to detect breast cancer? Thanks

It does make it tougher to get a good reading with breast implants. They are just to many complications IMO to deal with in having them. Eventually they will need to be replaced. I had mine removed after 11 years because of the heaviness of them very uncomfortable for me plus I have lupus and then I had one get a leak and numberous surgeries to go with that. PLEASE do your research before getting them. My total costs of having implants about $20,000 for all that trouble wish I had bought a car or something.

Hi, I'm wondering after reading all these posts if you think 48 is too old to get implants? How much does it cost about? Also it is very dangerous as far as being able to detect breast cancer? Thanks

I read alot at nicoles breast augmentation, mine are not that old. But when I hear you guys talk about how bad the surgery was years ago, I just wanted to tell you i think they have greatly changed this. It wasn't very bad, also when getting redo's it's not as painful because the pocket is already there.

I think it is just a myth that they need replaced. Mine now have a lifetime warranty through mentor, saline. And I paid the extra hundred dollars for insurance to cover surgeons fees if they were to deflate.

i have had a girlfriend who had one deflate, she woke up and it was very noticeable.

The cost vary so much around the country. Mine were $4,300, I only had IV sedation to and it took under an hour.

BRENDA, YOU SAID, "First off the pocket is already there when you get them replaced, so they just slip the new ones in, no big deal."

Just slip them in?? They have to slice the skin open then lift up the muscle to remove the old ones, (this alone is a big deal) then you have to be sewn up. I don't know how that could be nothing. :confused:

I'm trying to follow what you are saying. Were your implants silicone or saline that leaked and is this the reason you have Lupus and all the other problems that cost you over $20,000. Did the bacteria in the saline or the silicone leak cause the health problems? I'm getting mine done at the end of the month with a lift and am concerned about the health issues.

They were saline but the shell is silicone and since they have been removed since Dec 06 I am feeling so much better so yes my Arthritis Doc does believe this is what caused my problems so for my health I had them removed. Over the years I had one leak and both bottom out and numberous surgeries trying to fix them and then the health problems developed and had to retire dissability. To have them removed cost me about $11,000 out of retirement fund (but worth every penny). There is a site you an go do but of course I cannot give address so just do a search and you will get more info than you could ever possibly get from women who are having them removed constantly because of sickness and other problems they have had. I wish someone had told me of all the problems before I had gone through all this. I would have the lift and be a happy camper.


I'm trying to follow what you are saying. Were your implants silicone or saline that leaked and is this the reason you have Lupus and all the other problems that cost you over $20,000. Did the bacteria in the saline or the silicone leak cause the health problems? I'm getting mine done at the end of the month with a lift and am concerned about the health issues.

How long were the implants in before you began to have problems. Also, who was the manufacturer? My surgeon is using Mentor. Did they give you some kind of warranty? I am allergic to latex and wonder if the implant shell would cause problems, my surgeon does not think so?

They were in about 2 months and I started having problems with leak and bottomed out and then slowly the sickness apppeared. I had a 5 year warrenty can't remember manufacturer they are all made with same materials. Your surgeon does not know for sure what kind of reaction you could have. My surgeon told me how safe they were also and now I am on dissaibillity. I just don't want anyone to go through what I have been through I have been bed ridden before and that's not fun. I have a friend with Lupus and is very sick and she has implants but refuses to have them out. If I was allergic to latex I would not persue this. There are so many chemicals that makeup the implant itself which I never knew about. I can tell you how it feels to have them like an elephant has sit on your chest and movement will not be as good as it was because they are in the way. Do you have any breasts tissue to get just the lift? I know surgeons are so good about talking us in to things they want to make their money. Please do some research on the net. I just came from the site I was talking about and a young girl was on there and she decided it was not worth it to go through what all we have been through. They don't last a life time either.



How long were the implants in before you began to have problems. Also, who was the manufacturer? My surgeon is using Mentor. Did they give you some kind of warranty? I am allergic to latex and wonder if the implant shell would cause problems, my surgeon does not think so?

Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience. I will continue to research the subject. My surgeon suggested just the lift originally but I asked about implants also. Maybe I will pick her brain about the issue. I hope you are feeling much better now, you will be in my thoughts.

My surgeon suggested just the lift originally but I asked about implants also.

I have posted to you on another topic and then I saw this.
I wish my PS had only suggested a lift! That would have avoided 18 years of hating my implants, rupture and horrid pain for 6 weeks before removal.
The first day after my removal with lift, I looked better and more beautiful than ever before. My husband absolutely loves my natural breasts again.
You will be amazed at how much bigger you will look with just a lift. It puts all your breast tissue back where it belongs. I wear the same cup size now as I did with the implants. I just don't have that fake upper pole fullness now.