A breast augmentation remains one of the most popular aesthetic procedures in the world with over 365,000 performed annually in the United States alone. In the hands of a capable surgeon, it is a very safe, relatively easy way to transform your entire torso. Restoring proper proportion between your upper and lower body may make your waist look smaller, and your abdomen appear longer and leaner. It can also boost your self-confidence, sense of vitality and a general zest for life. These are all good things. The only downside to its popularity is that many patients tend to forget that a breast implant is a long-lasting device, not a life-long device. Furthermore, things can go wrong so here are some steps to take if something happens to your implants.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Breast Surgeon
You know your body better than anyone so if you feel as if there is something off with your implants then schedule an appointment with your surgeon. If he or she is no longer in practice, then find a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as myself, who specializes in breast surgery. You need to be examined in person. During our meeting, I will listen to your concerns and ask for any information you have about your implant. Then, I will perform a physical exam to assess:
- Implant position in relation to the inframammary fold
- Skin tone & texture
- Potential hardening of the breast tissue around the implant (Capsular Contracture)
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It is now standard practice to recommend that a breast augmentation patient with silicone gel implants have an MRI starting 5 years after implant placement. The reason for this is simple. If a silicone implant has a leak or rupture, you won’t know without imaging. While the shell of the latest silicone implants is incredibly resilient, things happen.
How Long Does a Breast Implant Last?
Every new patient wants to know how long her breast implants will last. In general, you can expect your implants to remain healthy for about 12-15 years. Some patients have theirs for longer, but 12 years is a good rule of thumb. I strongly encourage my breast augmentation patients to see me annually so that I can stay on top of their breast health, and, as mentioned, to get regular MRIs after 5 years. But even though your breast implants may literally be ok for longer than a decade, styles change. What worked for you at 20 may no longer be the look you want at 40. What then?
Revision Breast Surgery in Boston
Many of my breast implant patients decide to exchange their implants for a smaller size. Fashion is always evolving, and the desired look these days when it comes to the breast is a smaller yoga or ballet breast. However, depending on how long you’ve had your original implants, revision breast surgery may entail more than simply swapping sizes. It is highly probable that we will need to combine your new, smaller implant with a:
- Breast Lift
- Fat Grafting to the Breast
- Soft Tissue Support (STS), off label
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Other factors that may affect your revision breast surgery treatment plan include:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Menopause
- Weight gain/loss
All of the above can adversely affect the ability of your skin and tissues to reform over your new, leaner look. While this may seem overwhelming, the goal is to create the size and shape of breast that will keep you feeling comfortable in your current skin for years to come.
To find out more about breast augmentation, breast revision surgery, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Chestnut Hill office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.