It is a common question about breast augmentation, and the honest answer has two parts. There is no fixed lifespan for an implant. But no implant is expected to last for the rest of your life, and planning for that from the start makes the decision clearer.
Breast Augmentation NYC is a free referral service, not a clinic or medical practice. This article is general information; your surgeon will explain what applies to you.
The FDA’s answer
The FDA says: “Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices.” The longer you have them, the more likely complications become, and some complications need more surgery. Since October 27, 2021 that point has been part of the boxed warning on every breast implant, and it is on the patient decision checklist your surgeon must go over with you before surgery.
What the 10 to 15 year figure means
The figures you will see online come from a few sources, and they do not all say the same thing:
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| ASPS | Implants are “typically exchanged or removed about every 10-15 years”, depending on the patient’s needs |
| Cleveland Clinic, breast implants page | New implants typically last about 10 years |
| Cleveland Clinic, implant removal page | 10 to 15 years |
| FDA | Not lifetime devices; complications more likely the longer you have them |
None of these is a countdown. Some people keep implants longer without problems; others need an operation sooner. The figures are a planning guide, not a promise either way.
Why implants are removed or exchanged
Cleveland Clinic and ASPS give these reasons for removal:
- Capsular contracture, scar tissue tightening around the implant: Cleveland Clinic calls the painful form the most common reason. The FDA grades it I to IV, and grades III and IV may need another operation.
- A leak or rupture. A saline implant collapses and the body absorbs the saline. A silicone leak may stay hidden: a silent rupture.
- Shifting of the implant.
- BIA-ALCL, a T-cell lymphoma the FDA says “appears more often in patients with textured breast implants.”
- Changes in the body over time.
- Choice. Some people simply want them out or want a change.
Read more in the explant surgery guide.
Checking on silicone implants
Because a silicone leak can go unnoticed, ASPS suggests an MRI or ultrasound 5 to 6 years after surgery, then every 2 to 3 years. The FDA says MRI is the most effective way to find a silent rupture, and ultrasound is an acceptable alternative for people without symptoms. The silicone vs saline guide compares the two fills in detail.
The other FDA warnings
The boxed warning covers more than lifespan. The FDA says: “Symptoms such as fatigue, memory loss, rash, ‘brain fog,’ and joint pain may be associated with breast implants.” These are still being studied. The FDA has also reported squamous cell carcinoma and other lymphomas in the capsule around implants, with textured and smooth, saline and silicone implants; it believes these may be rare, and their cause is not known. See the FDA page Risks and Complications of Breast Implants.
Planning for the long run
- Budget for the future. ASPS gives a 2024 national range of $3,650 to $6,500 for the surgeon’s fee alone for implant removal, before anesthesia, the facility and any new implants. See the cost guide.
- Check your insurance. The FDA notes some insurers do not cover removal or replacement, even for complications.
- Keep your device card. The 2021 FDA labeling added a patient device card that records your implants.
- Keep your records of the operation and any scans.
- Think about later changes. ASPS suggests asking how your breasts will look over time, after pregnancy, or if the implants are removed.
If you are thinking of an exchange
An exchange is a new operation, with new implants. Ask whether the surgeon will go through the FDA’s patient decision checklist with you again. The choices you made the first time are open again too: fill, surface, shape, size and incision. Some people choose a different fill or surface the second time, or decide to have the implants removed without replacing them, sometimes with a lift. Cleveland Clinic says removal is often combined with a breast lift. Take your device card and your records to the consultation, so the surgeon knows exactly what you have now.
Questions to ask a surgeon
- How many more implant operations should I expect over my life?
- What screening do you advise, and how often?
- What warranty does the implant maker give?
- What would removal or exchange involve, and what might it cost?
- How will my breasts look if the implants come out one day?
If the idea of future operations puts you off implants, fat transfer uses no implant, for a smaller change.
This page gives general information, not medical advice. Only a surgeon who examines you can say whether an operation suits you and what it involves. In an emergency, call 911.
Questions people ask
Do breast implants have to be replaced every 10 years?
Not on a fixed schedule. ASPS says they are typically exchanged or removed about every 10 to 15 years, depending on the person. Some last longer, some less.
Are breast implants lifetime devices?
No. The FDA says breast implants are not considered lifetime devices.
How do I know if my implants need replacing?
A saline leak shows, because the implant collapses. A silicone leak may not, so ASPS suggests regular MRI or ultrasound checks. Your surgeon can examine you.
Does insurance pay to replace implants?
Not always. The FDA notes some insurers do not cover removal or replacement even for complications.