“Breast implants can last even 12-20 years, but the assessment is crucial with routine MRI, starting three years after surgery and every two years thereafter to make sure implants are safe with no asymptomatic rupture, as the FDA recommended!”
Dr. Karishma Kagodu, a leading plastic surgeon in Bangalore, and the active member of ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons), IAAPS (Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), and APSI (Association of Plastic Surgeons of India) noted that removing ruptured breast implants always take concerns of lifestyle, aging, weight changes, and pregnancies to determine the key factor for influencing the lifespan of the implants.
One must hold this fact that breast implants are technically not permanent. Still, most patients experience long-lasting results with 10-15 years or even longer if they commit to the best post-op management, including the routine MRI, healthy lifestyle with no excessive chest muscle strain or indulging in any high-impact activities that may potentially lead to earlier replacement, or the case of unwanted implant ruptures/ or leakage.
The silicone implant cost in Bangalore typically ranges from ₹75,000 to ₹1,80,000, which may be further influence by several factors associated with the procedure, either externally or internally.
According to Dr. Karishma Kagodu, Managing Director of KAesthetics, Bangalore, a board-certified celebrity surgeon, “most often, post-op implant safety measures are overlooked due to the novice surgeon or the lack of patients’ education, or they may fail to do a good investment in selecting the right plastic surgeon who only can perform the successful implant surgeries with very minimal complications.”
I have had a few patients who have undergone breast implant surgery at other clinics, and reported the implant leakage, capsular contracture, and associated risks, such as progressive wear from mechanical stress, shell fatigue, which can increase ruptured risks, and extremely required breast implant removal surgery. Unfortunately, most patients were unaware of the silent rupture, as regular MRI scans are mandatory as a precautionary measure for long-term silicone breast implants. The shortest lifespan of an implant I evaluated was 12, and the longest was 22. Still, it is crucial to get the required assessment done properly after the operation to avoid the potential complications. Since I was not the original surgeon who had placed their previous set of implants, the patients had been unaware of the need for imaging or implant replacements. I must instruct my patients to follow all the required post-op measures to review long-term breast implants as a mandatory management care, avoiding the chances of potential risks.
Apart from a disciplined post-op regimen, as suggested by your plastic surgeon, it is quintessential to follow the FDA guidelines necessary for avoiding the potential complications associated with breast implant surgery.
The FDA (The US Food and Drug Administration) recommends getting imaging (MRI: magnetic resonance imaging) for silicone implants starting three years post-surgery and then every other year to check for a leak or silent rupture. MRI is highly effective in detecting silent ruptures in asymptomatic patients.
One must note that silicone leaks may not be obvious in most cases because silicone is highly cohesive, and the breasts can still have a similar shape even after a leak or rupture. However, an MRI is necessary to determine whether the implants are safe or require removal. In some instances, ruptures are obvious and a patient can experience the distorted implant in the form of capsular contracture, which occurs when scar tissues form tightly around the implant, making the breasts feel hard or distorted. For saline implants, it is easier and more obvious to detect implant deflation, as there is sterile saline in implants that get flatter and obvious on physical examination. Therefore, an MRI is not necessarily needed to determine if there is a saline implant leak. Thus, it is always recommended to get your routine checkups done according to your age and individual risk factors.
Dr. Karishma Kagodu recommends breast implants removal and replacement with a new implant before you get a leak/ or rupture. Of course, capsular contracture is an alarming state that requires immediate removal, but having the new implant placement is equally important to enhance your aesthetic breast profile, as well as self-confidence.
For silicone breast implants, it is recommended to get your new implant done every 8-10 years to minimize the risks of an unwanted rupture. On the other hand, saline implants have looser guidelines. Dr. Karishma recommends around 15 years, but it can be longer if your body responds well to saline implants and you do not have any issues.
If you have had silicone implants for longer than 10 years, please make an appointment to discuss removal and replacement. We will prioritize your appointment to avoid further delay.
Call us at +91 8951269006 or +91 7624809006, or use WhatsApp at +91 9108969006 to schedule a consultation today.