Can breast implants be removed and not replaced?

Since the implants are not designed to last a lifetime, they may need to be replaced after about 10 to 15 years on average. With that said, if implants are “up and running,” are intact, and not creating any problems, there is no need to replace them.


Should I replace my implants or remove them?

Many women mistakenly believe that breast implants have to be replaced every 10 years. Although the average lifespan of a breast implant is 10-15 years, breast implants actually only need to be replaced if you have a problem such as implant rupture or capsular contracture.

Can breast implants be left in forever?

While generally safe and designed to be long-lasting, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that implants are not considered to be "lifetime devices." On average, today's implants are designed to last more than a decade, with the chance of rupture increasing by one percent each year.


Will my breast go back to normal after breast implant removal?

Your breasts will naturally look deflated once the implants are removed. Within 2 to 3 weeks, your breasts will eventually regain some of their volume. Many patients opt for a Breast Lift or Fat Transfer to Breast to reposition or inflate their breasts.

What happens to breast implants when you get old?

The biggest risk associated with older implants is rupturing. Over time, the implants can become weakened and become more prone to rupturing or leaking. Luckily, today's implants are engineered to be as safe as possible in the event of a rupture or leak.


Breast Implant Removal: What You Need to Know | Ramsey Choucair, M.D.| Dallas, TX | Ph: 214-389-9797



What happens if you don't get your breast implants redone?

If you do not replace your breast implants, nothing bad is immediately going to happen. The most modern breast implants do not necessarily need to be replaced. If you are not having any problems and your breast implants still fit your lifestyle, there is no reason to seek a replacement.

What are symptoms of breast implant illness?

Breast implant illness 101
  • Chronic fatigue and headaches.
  • Persistent joint and muscle pain.
  • Unexplained respiratory difficulties.
  • Hair loss and frequent skin rashes.
  • Chronically dry mouth and eyes.
  • Poor memory and concentration.
  • Depression, anxiety, and insomnia.


Why is everyone removing their breast implants?

What Are the Reasons for Breast Implant Removal? Women may choose to have their breast implants removed for implant complications, changes in aesthetic preference, or medical conditions like breast implant illness (BII) or breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).


What is the average cost to have breast implants removed?

How much does breast implant removal cost? The average cost of breast implant removal surgery is $3,049, according to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Will insurance cover breast implant removal?

You may be able to get the removal of breast implants covered by your insurance company if your physician recommends their removal due to a medical condition, in which case, this type of removal would be classified as reconstructive surgery rather than cosmetic surgery.

What happens to breast implants after 10 years?

After 10 years of an initial breast augmentation, 1 out of 5 patients need some sort of revision procedure. That means 20% of patients need another operation due to excess scarring inside the breast (capsular contracture), broken implant etc.


Should you replace breast implants after 20 years?

Most silicone and saline implants are FDA approved for 10-20 years, but this does not mean that you have to get them replaced every 10-20 years. You can safely go beyond these time frames, and most patients only have to have 1-2 replacements in their lifetime.

Are breast implants toxic?

With certain breast implants there is a low risk of developing a type of cancer known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Implants with a textured outer silicone shell and a certain type of plastic shell called polyurethane seem to have the highest risk.

Is it painful to remove implants?

How Painful Is Breast Implant Removal? Breast implant removal is typically performed while you are fully asleep under general anesthesia, so you should not feel a thing during the actual surgery. During recovery, however, it is normal to feel some soreness and discomfort for about a week.


What happens to breast implants after 30 years?

Sagging. This is the most common, and natural cosmetic change you may find as you age with breast implants. Sagging can often be corrected with a breast lift, and sometimes with new implants.

Does it hurt to remove the implants?

It's normal to experience soreness, tenderness, and sensitivity as you recover from your breast implant removal surgery for around six weeks.

Is removing breast implants major surgery?

As we mentioned, breast implant removal is a major surgery. As such, you'll likely have to be put under either a local or general anesthesia. With anesthesia, there come potential complications. Such complications may include pain, nausea, vomiting, backache, headache, and damage to your teeth.


How long is recovery after breast implant removal?

Full breast implant removal recovery will take several weeks. At first, you'll need to rest and limit physical activity for one to three weeks. This includes no heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or excessive arm or shoulder movement.

How long does breast implant removal surgery take?

Breast implant removal is a quick outpatient procedure that is done under general anesthesia. Because of this, you will need to arrange for someone to pick you up from surgery. Depending on what other procedures you're having done, it can take between one to three hours from start to finish.

What will my breasts look like after explant?

Once implants are removed, the volume of the breasts reduces significantly. This can cause several aesthetic implications: Breasts may appear deflated with a “sagging” appearance. Skin is loose and prone to extensive wrinkling.


What happens to your body after implant removal?

Overall, you should feel completely normal after getting your implant taken out. Your arm may feel tender or swollen around where the implant was for a few days. It may look bruised for a week or two. Your doctor or nurse will tell you how to wash and take care of your skin for a couple of days after removal.

What celebrities have had their breast implants removed?

Many celebrities, including Ayesha Curry, Bachelorette alum Clare Crawley and Adrienne Bailon, talked about getting their breast implants removed for various reasons.

Are my implants causing health problems?

Breast implant illness (BII) is a collection of symptoms that may be related to breast implants. Though the exact cause isn't known, BII may be related to autoimmune or inflammatory responses. Common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, brain fog and rash.


Can removing breast implants reverse autoimmune disease?

Silicone breast implant removal may relieve early autoimmune symptoms, but it will not cure an autoimmune disease that has already developed. The decision to have your breast implants removed is personal and one that should be made with your doctor.

Who is at risk of breast implant illness?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, people with textured breast implants are more likely to develop this type of cancer. Based on 573 known cases and 33 deaths worldwide, the current lifetime risk of BIA-ALCL is around 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 86,000, depending on the kind of implant and the manufacturer.