Plastic Surgeon Daniel Ronel, M.D.

There is a myth that implants need to be changed every 10 years. This came from data on an older generation of implants that showed a 50% rupture rate at 10 years. With the newer generation of implants, this statistic is not true and, in fact, implants only need to be replaced if a complication develops, such as a rupture, or if you don't like the look anymore from sagging, or because the size chosen was incorrect, or because they moved.

The manufacturer warranties implants for a lifetime, so it is possible that they can last that long. I have seen many patients who have had their implants for at least 30 years. Having said that, it is advisable to think that implants will need to be replaced at some point simply because there is no guarantee that they will not rupture or change position, or that you will want that same size forever.