Answers

"I had silicone breast implants at age 19 and I am now 36. I have not had any problems with my implants (or any other physical ailments relevant to them). I am wondering if I should get them replaced anyway as they are now over 15 years old."


— Answered by Dennis C. Hammond, MD
Grand Rapids, MI


Typically if patients are asymptomatic with regard to their breast implants, it is very reasonable to simply leave them alone and follow them along expectantly. I believe this is best done under the case of a plastic surgeon on a yearly basis. However, 15 years is getting up there and for sure the shell has weakened. As this patient begins to undergo routine mammographic screening at the age of forty, there is a very real chance that the pressure from the mammogram could rupture the implant. As well, the implants from that time period were very often made with a very thin silicone gel, when this gel oozes into the soft tissues, it can be very difficult to remove. Therefore, I would recommend this patient strongly consider elective implant replacement before any problems develop. I hope this is helpful.

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