How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
When you are considering breast augmentation it is common to wonder how long the implants will last. Stories abound about leaking implants and implant ruptures, causing some women to seriously consider if this procedure is safe and long lasting. It is important to remember that no medical device can last a lifetime. Like all medical devices, breast implants can, over time, wear down and require replacement.
Why Breast Implants Fail
A majority of breast implants last for ten to 25 years. Some women may enjoy a longer lifespan and others may have to replace their breast implants before the average life expectancy. The lifespan of your implant will rely on a number of factors. One primary factor is the type of breast implant you choose. Your choices for breast implants are:
Breast Lift Or Breast Augmentation For Older Women
Recent research has shown that about 70% of women are unhappy with their breasts, regardless of age. The actual percentage ranged from 67% to 74%, but overall remained relatively constant. What did change was the particular complaints women had about their breasts. While younger women were more likely to complain their breasts were too small, older women were more likely to complain their breasts were too droopy.
Thus, it is not surprising that surgical breast enhancement is popular among women of all ages. Nor is it surprising that younger women would be more likely to have breast augmentation, which enlarges breasts, while older women would be more likely to have a breast lift, which targets breast sagginess.
No Clear Age Distinction
Large Breast Implants – Is A Larger Implant Better
Generally, the larger you want your bra cup size, the larger the breast implant the plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon will consider (measured in cubic centimeters, or cc’s). Large implants will produce different results on different women as every woman’s anatomy is different. You will be measured and counseled during your consultation and the plastic surgeon will try to create a blend between what is reasonably possible and your own desires. Careful thought and consideration is needed when deciding on larger implants. Seek a qualified breast implant surgeon to review the pros and cons of large implants. Many women who selected large implants have already undergone breast augmentation using implants of 500 cc or less, and then decided that they would like to increase their size further
If a woman larger in stature is looking to be more proportional, her heavier tissues can often support a larger implant. Smaller, thinner, more petite women, may experience a loss of breast gland due to excessive pressure from an oversized implant. This may create thinning of the breast structures, and delayed consequences of breast hang or ‘bottoming out.’ Women who want very large and protruding breasts, but have a small and narrow chest, would benefit from high profile implants. These high profile breast implants have a small diameter but a much higher profile than standard implants. The larger the implant size you choose, the wider the breast implants will be. While larger or wider implants create alot of cleaveage, there is a limit on how large of an implant can fit on your chest.
For a DD size in most women – 600cc to 700cc breast implants will acheive this look. For an even larger look women can select 750cc, 800cc, 900cc, 1000cc and as large as 1500cc implants. The size is usually capped at 1200cc. If you are considering large breast implants, choose a breast implant surgeon who has extensive experience with these types of large breast implants. These super sized breast implants require long surgical incisions and can usually only be placed through the incision site – inframammary fold ( under the breast fold ). This is a 1 to 2 inch incision under the breast fold. This approach and technique affords the plastic surgeon the greatest control over the position of the breast implant This also gives the patient a more attractive cleavage. The incision scar is very favorable. The larger the implant size you choose, the wider the breast implants will be. While larger or wider implants create cleavage, there is a limit on how large of an implant can fit on your chest.