Dallas – Fort Worth metroplex, Texas Breast Augmentation
When you are considering breast augmentation with breast implants, it’s important to consider the long-term outcome of the surgery, including whether you will have to replace your breast implants. You will likely have to remove and/or replace your breast implants at least once during your life. Although the goal of breast implants is to give you great-looking long-term results, these results are likely not permanent, and you will want to remove and/or replace your breast implants to maintain the appearance you desire. However, there is no set schedule for replacing your breast implants, and replacement will be determined by your breast implants and your breast augmentation results.
If you are considering breast augmentation and you want to learn more about the long-term outcome you can expect, please contact breast surgeon in Dallas Dr. Vasdev Rai at the Cosmetic Surgical Center in Dallas, Texas today.
Reasons You May Have to Replace Your Breast Implants
Despite the engineering of breast implants and the surgical skill of Dr. Rai, breast augmentation results are not permanent. There are several reasons why you might need to replace your breast implants:
- Quality of results changes
- Breast implant rupture or deflation
- Local complications
In June, 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration released the results of postmarketing studies of silicone breast implants, which included the statement: “Although routine replacement is not necessary, many women will need additional surgery to modify, remove, or replace their implants.” The actual rates for re-operation were 20-40 percent within the first 8 to 10 years.
Changes in Breast Augmentation Results
Although breast augmentation supplements your natural breast tissue with breast implants, it does not replace the supportive tissue of the breast, the ligaments and skin. These natural tissues change as you age, losing their elasticity and ability to support breast tissue, whether it is natural breast tissue or a breast implant. Over time, your breasts will become stretched and will sag, just like natural breasts. You may want to refresh your results with a revision breast augmentation.
Breast Implant Rupture or Deflation
Breast implant rupture is one of the more frequent complications of breast augmentation. Rupture rates for saline breast implants are available for three years after surgery and seem to be 3-5%. Silicone gel breast implant rupture rates are available for 8-10 years after surgery and they range from 10-14% for primary breast augmentation. In addition to rupture, breast implants can deflate over time, especially saline breast implants. Water migrates through the implant shell, causing the implant to slowly deflate, which can lead to rippling, implant visibility, and other cosmetic defects.
Local Complications
There are a number of local complications associated with breast augmentation that may cause you to remove your breast implants. These complications include severe capsular contracture, which may occur in up to 20% of breast augmentations within 10 years of surgery. Implant malposition or extrusion may also require revision surgery.
Your Surgeon Makes a Difference
The information given here is based on clinical studies of breast implants and breast augmentation, and can give you a good idea about what to expect. However, it is important to talk to your surgeon about his or her personal complication rates, since these can vary widely.
Dr. Vasdev Rai is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been serving the people of Dallas, Texas for thirty years. During this time, he has performed thousands of breast augmentations. You can see examples of his results in our before and after gallery.
To learn more about breast augmentation, Dr. Rai’s personal experience with the procedure, and information on if you will have to replace your breast implants, please contact the Cosmetic Surgical Center serving Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas.
