How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

At Northstate Plastic Surgery in Chico, CA, we offer breast enhancement surgeries that use breast implants CA to help women achieve their ideal appearance. These procedures can meet the needs of women who want to undergo breast augmentation to achieve some specific goals and those who need revision surgery to replace older implants with a newer option. Our treatment plans can help women feel more confident in their appearance, look better in clothes, and achieve their ideal body profile.

How Long Do Breast Implants Last?

Breast implants CA provide women with an effective way to achieve their ideal breasts and enjoy long-lasting results. Contrary to popular opinion, implants do not last forever. The lifespan of a typical breast implant is 10 to 20 years. Even though implants won’t last forever, there are some steps you can take to extend their lifespan.

Scheduling regular checkups and following your surgeon’s directions about caring for your implants can make them last longer and delay the need for a revision procedure.

Extending the Life of Your Implant

Extending the lifespan of your implant can begin as early as the recovery process after your initial procedure. Proper post-operative care will ensure adequate healing and promote a quick and healthy recovery. The surgeon will provide you with some very specific aftercare instructions, which may include wearing a specialized garment to help support your breasts as they heal. With proper support, you can prevent sagging or improper healing.

Additionally, attending regular checkups and performing self-examinations can help you be proactive about maintaining the condition of your implant so that if you experience any issues, you can address them before they become more significant. According to the FDA’s recommendations, women who get silicone breast implants should schedule MRIs every few years to ensure their implants remain in optimal condition.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a procedure during which we can use a breast implant to increase the size and improve the shape of the breasts. This is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures available and can meet the needs of women in good health who want to change the size or shape of their breasts with a breast implant. Typically, women who undergo this procedure will choose a silicone gel or saline implant to achieve their desired results.

Who Is a Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Women in good health who have realistic expectations about this procedure make good candidates for breast augmentation. It can meet the needs of women who want to achieve a more proportional figure, who want their clothes to fit better, or who want to correct how weight loss, pregnancy, or the aging process has negatively affected the size and shape of their breasts. It can also meet the needs of women with asymmetrical breasts who want to address aesthetic imperfections.

What Is Breast Revision Surgery?

Breast revision surgery is a procedure designed for women who need to replace their implants because of an issue with the implant or if the implants have reached the end of their lifespan. During the procedure, the surgeon will replace the older implant with a newer option. Women can schedule this procedure to revise their initial procedure by changing the implant type, shape, and size.

Additionally, it can be scheduled to meet the needs of women who want to correct any imperfections resulting from a previous procedure to achieve their ideal results. The ultimate goal of this procedure and our surgical team is to restore a youthful appearance to the breasts and exceed each patient’s expectations.

Who Is a Candidate for Breast Revision?

The best candidates for breast revision surgery are women who have issues with their breast implants CA, including deflation or a leak, or the implants have shifted into an undesirable position. This procedure can also meet the needs of women with skin laxity or who have lost or gained weight and have noticed changes in the appearance of their breasts as a result. It can also address tightening scar tissue around the implant, also known as capsular contracture.

What Type of Recovery Can I Expect?

Whether you’ve never undergone breast augmentation before and are interested in the procedure, or your implants have reached the end of their lifespan and you need to undergo breast revision surgery to replace them with a newer and better option, your recovery process will look very similar. You’ll need to follow some specific aftercare instructions, wear the proper support garment, and avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity as directed by your surgeon.

Most women can resume light activities within the first two weeks and regular activities within the first four to six weeks. It’s important that you have someone to drive you to and from your appointment and who can help you rest at home so that you can focus on recovery and not on your to-do list.

Learn More

If you’re interested in breast augmentation or a breast revision procedure, we can give you more details about the procedure and design a surgical treatment plan that results in youthful and contoured breasts that make you feel more confident in your appearance and your body. Contact us at Northstate Plastic Surgery in Chico, CA, to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about our breast enhancement procedures and how they can help you reach your aesthetic goals.