Breast implants whether they are Saline filled or Silicone Gel will most likely need to be removed and replaced at some point in the future due to any one of a number of reasons.
The female breast changes dramatically over the course of your life time. For many naturally occurring reasons: hormones, pregnancy, breast feeding, weight fluctuations, gravity, exercise, bra quality – your breasts will look very different at 50 compared to the appearance at 20 years of age.
For most women the glandular proportion of the breast decreases overtime and the fatty component increases. For some women their breasts overall get smaller while for others the aging process causes breast volume to increase. Any of these changes may necessitate a change over of implant.
The implants may develop capsular contraction (hardening) or rupture due to trauma or simply because the implant has worn out because of repeated body movement.
There is a great deal of misinformation in the community about the life span of breast implants. Many people believe implants need to be replaced after a certain time, for example every 10 years. This is not the case. If the implant is intact as assessed by ultrasound or MRI, then the implant does not need to be replaced.
Most implants will last 20 years or longer. Eventually however, the implant will rupture and should then be removed or replaced. This is not dangerous, Dr Jane only uses modern cohesive gel implants which are Australian Government approved. If the implant shell does split, the gel inside will not spill. The implant can be replaced through the original scar.
Can you recall the details about your implants? Knowing the details about the patients current implants can assist in selecting appropriate replacements. All of Dr Jane’s patients’ implant details are kept securely on digital file. Including manufacturer details, size, type, and serial number.
Breast Implants Melbourne
Dr Paterson is also a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, they maintain the Breast Implant Registry (BIR). This is a public health initiative focused on patient safety, the information gathered is used to educate plastic surgeons on best practice as well as monitor and maintain the quality assurance of implant types. BIR forms can be downloaded from the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons website.
Always see a specialist, experienced and dedicated Plastic Surgeon who works specifically in the field of breast enhancement. For a confidential appointment, phone Dr Jane Paterson on 9429 3343.