Replacements

I read in many sites and forums that implants should be replaced every 10 years.

Do we know if it's harmful if the implants don't get replaced? If everything goes well and one is still satisfied with the surgery is it necessary to get it done again?

I want to get the least amount of surgeries. None if possible...

Has anyone gone over 10 or 20 years here?

nche wrote:I read in many sites and forums that implants should be replaced every 10 years.

After my implant ruptured last year I did lots of research into how long implants last and discovered that by the time our implants are 10 years old most of us will have at least one ruptured implant, some presenting symptoms and some will be silent ruptures (no symtoms at all other than the rupture which can only be detected through a ultrasound/MRI scan)

From 2006 the FDA required implant makers study 80,000 women with breast implants for 10 years, previously these tests were only conducted over a 3 year period, so the results of these latest tests wont be available until 2016.

You can read more about this HERE

Do we know if it's harmful if the implants don't get replaced?

All the research I've read indicates that there is no harmful effects from breast implants.

If everything goes well and one is still satisfied with the surgery is it necessary to get it done again?

No. If you're happy with how your boobs look after 10 years and you know there are no ruptures or other complications then there is absolutely no reason why you should replace the implants.

I want to get the least amount of surgeries. None if possible...

There are no guarantees with this surgery sweetness. xxx

I think it all depends. Some people have to have them replaced after less than 10 years, and others find their implants last a lot longer.

I think like most things that technology is moving on and the quality of implants is generally improving. You should be prepared to have them replaced.

The website is very helpful, thank you.

I always thought that the implants were all previously tested for about 10 years before they were out on the market. Now I have I'm not sure if I should get the silicone gel implants. My mother keeps asking me to wait because she doesn't think the product has been out long enough.

But many people have gotten them done, and most surgeons recommend them as well.

It's such a hard decision to make

kittie, the reason I ask as well is because I have a close family member who has had them for 17 years. I asked her to go see a surgeon and make sure that everything is fine. But she refused to because she doesn't want them to "influence" her into getting new implants (she doesn't want to go into surgery again), she thinks it's fine now. Her family doctor said there is nothing to worry about. But I think that she needs to see a surgeon to be sure.

I had 11 good years!! I always had in the back of my mind that I would get them replaced around the 10 year mark but when I hit 10 years I thought I'd wait until 15 years but fate took it's hand. IF I hadn't had any complications in all honestly I wouldn't have bothered getting them replaced probably until I had a complication. This time around I hope to get at least 10-15 years but I will start putting some pennies aside just in case!!

nche - personally, if I had no complications I won't get them replaced at 10 years. Right now I think that in about 10-15 years I will have them replaced and possibly an uplift, if necessary, but will wait and see what happens.

nche wrote:The website is very helpful, thank you.

I always thought that the implants were all previously tested for about 10 years before they were out on the market. Now I have I'm not sure if I should get the silicone gel implants. My mother keeps asking me to wait because she doesn't think the product has been out long enough.

But many people have gotten them done, and most surgeons recommend them as well.

It's such a hard decision to make

We've been using silicone implants here in the UK since 1962 and there is no evidence to connect breast implants to anything harmful to the body.

In response to concerns raised over the last fifteen years over the safety of breast implants, particularly regarding the possibility of long-term immunological effects, a number of reviews have been carried out by MHRA and independent bodies. These systematic reviews have reached a consensus conclusion that there is no evidence of a causal link between the implantation of silicones and connective tissue disease.

Quote from HERE

Also see here -

Silicone has long been regarded as one of the most compatible materials available for implants into the body. It has been extensively tested in laboratory studies as well as clinical studies that study human health.

It’s used in medical devices like surgical instruments and hypodermic needles, and provides a very natural feel for breast implants. Scientific evidence has also been gathered on the experiences of the 1 to 2 million women who have received breast implants. There’s been no epidemiological evidence found associating silicone breast implants with permanent connective tissue disease or cancer. Specific assessment of the safety of silicone breast implants was performed by the UK Government which published a report confirming their safety based on the published data of international trials (Independent Review Group 1998). This has since been confirmed also by the European Union and the Food and Drug Administration in America (2006).

Quote taken from HERE

o wow CharlieB that's good to hear that it lasts quite long for you. If you don't mind me asking what kind of complications did you have?

kittie: ya, me too i hope it will last that long as well.

cookie: silicone gel implants were banned in north america, was it banned in the uk for some period too?

nche wrote:cookie: silicone gel implants were banned in north america, was it banned in the uk for some period too?

No. We continued using silicone here.

The only implants banned here are PIPs, Hydrogel and Trilucent implants xx

Some more information collected here in the UK in regard to the saftey of silicone. -

1) UK Department of Health review, 1992. This review by the Independent Expert Advisory Group concluded that there was no evidence of an increased incidence of connective tissue disease associated with silicone gel breast implants.

2) UK Department of Health review, 1994. The Medical Devices Agency, which is now called the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) concluded that results from clinical or scientific studies did not demonstrate an increase in the incidence of connective tissue disease in implanted patients, compared with the unimplanted population as a whole.

3) Independent Review Group (IRG), 1997. The IRG reviewed the evidence relating to the possible health effects associated with silicone gel breast implants and examined the issues relating to pre-operative patient information. The IRG concluded that silicone gel breast implants are not associated with any greater health risk than other surgical implants, and that silicone induces a conventional biological response, rather than an unusual toxic reaction. The group also made a number of recommendations regarding the provision of information to, and the follow-up of patients. Their report was published in July 1998 and is available on the IRG website at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] The IRG met again in April 2004 and felt the conclusions reached in 1998 remained unchanged.

4) The Committee on Carcinogenicity, carried out a review on behalf of the Department of Health between 1989 and 1990 and concluded, that the possibility that silicone gel implants would induce local tumours in humans was remote.

5) The IRG report also stated that "analyses of large groups of women both with and without breast implants have shown that there is a slightly reduced incidence of breast cancer in women with breast implants. Studies looking at the incidence of other cancers have failed to demonstrate a statistically significant increase among women with breast implants.”

nche wrote:o wow CharlieB that's good to hear that it lasts quite long for you. If you don't mind me asking what kind of complications did you have?

I developed capsular contraction around my right implant. My surgeon has 'suggested' it was a combination of having old implants, changes to my breasts during pregnancy and breastfeeding. To reassure you and everyone else though I know plenty of people who have breast implants and have had children and suffered no problems BUT their implants werent 11 years old. And I think it's a valid to point out implants have come along way since I first had mine done!! x