Breast implants can help us achieve a more attractive silhouette, boost self-confidence, and provide more sexual satisfaction. But, if you’re considering getting implants, you’re probably wondering how long you can wait until they need replacing.
The excellent news is implants can last for many years without rupturing or complications.
Keep reading to learn more about how breast implants work, which procedure is right for you, how long they last, and how you can afford them. This will help you decide whether you’re ready to have breast augmentation surgery.
Table of Contents
Different Types of Breast Implants and How Long They Last
How are Breast Augmentations Performed?
How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Breast Implants?
How Often Should Breast Implants Be Checked?
What Is the Typical Cost of a Breast Implant?
What Are Breast Implants?
Breast implants are medical devices typically used for cosmetic purposes. For example, they can increase breast size, modify breast appearance, and adjust breast unevenness through a breast augmentation procedure. They can also be used for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy or any other surgical procedure that affects breast shape and size.
In some cases, breast implants can be used to replace existing implants.
Breast augmentation can also be part of a transgender person’s surgical transition.
Health Canada requires extensive scientific review before it can issue a medical device license for breast implants. This is to ensure the product’s safety and effectiveness.
Different Types of Breast Implants and How Long They Last
Four manufacturers have active licenses for saline and silicone breast implants in Canada. These include Allergan, Mentor, Ideal Implants, and Sientra. However, they don’t offer precisely the same types of implants.
Implants generally differ based on their outer shells and fillings. Most fillings are made of silicone. In terms of shells, there are textured or micro-textured silicone and macro-textured implants, which have a slightly rougher and thicker exterior.
Silicone implants with smooth exteriors have a more natural feel and are more fluid, while textured implants are firmer and provide better adhesion to breast tissue. Your doctor will recommend the type of implant that’s right for you based on your health and the feel and appearance you want.
Here’s a quick review of the different types of breast implant fillings:
Saline-Filled Breast Implants
Saline-filled breast implants have a silicone outer shell with a sterile saltwater or saline solution inside. This implant is sometimes pre-filled before the operation, while others are filled during the procedure.
Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants
Because of their silicone gel filling, silicone gel-filled implants have a firmer and more natural feel than saline-filled breast implants. This means they aren’t as likely to wrinkle and ripple because of their composition.
Combination Gel-Saline Expanders
As the name implies, this breast implant involves silicone gel and a saline solution. Implants have two envelopes — one is pre-filled with silicone gel, while the other is empty and will be filled with saline until the desired volume is achieved.
How Are Breast Augmentations Performed?
You can visit a surgical center or an outpatient facility for a breast implant procedure. The surgeon will determine if the procedure requires local anesthesia (which means you remain conscious during the operation) or general anesthesia (which puts you to sleep).
During the actual implantation, the surgeon will make an incision in any of these areas:
● Under your arm
● Around your nipple
● On the crease below your breast
The incision is necessary for the surgeon to separate the breast tissue from the muscles. This creates a pocket behind or in front of the pectoral muscle where the implant is inserted. The surgeon will place the implant in the area behind your nipple, then close the incision with sutures before placing a bandage for optimal healing.
Expect soreness and swelling for a few weeks after the procedure. Some people experience bruising and bleeding. Other risks include infection and a difference in nipple or breast sensation. Scars fade over time, but they won’t disappear completely.
How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
Breast implants have long-lasting effects, but they aren’t lifetime devices. They usually last from 8 to 10 years before they need to be removed and replaced—some last longer than that.
Over the course of 10 years, silicone gel implants have shown a greater incidence of rupturing than saline implants.
You might be curious why some breast implants last longer than others. However, there’s no straightforward answer to this. Leaks, ruptures, and other medical reasons may require breast implant removal or replacement.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Breast Implants?
Breast implants can make your natural breasts look smaller, wider, firmer, or higher than they actually are. But you have to wait six weeks to three months before they settle. After that period, they’ll retain the same shape and appearance for around ten years or more.
Some people experience dropping or flooding when one breast settles faster than the other. In this case, the implants will settle on a lower position on the chest and expand as your breast tissues and pectoral muscles adjust to the device.
These are the long-term effects you’ll experience after breast augmentation recovery:
● Higher confidence and self-esteem
● More balanced breast sizes and shapes
● Adjusted breast size and shape after giving birth or breastfeeding
Around 97% of patients say breast augmentation is worth their time and resources. That’s 4,438 of 4,587 people reassuring you that implants are generally safe.
How Often Should Breast Implants Be Checked?
Your surgeon will share guidelines with you after the breast implant procedure. In addition, they will walk you through the process of regular self-checks and remind you of annual checkups to ensure no complications with your implants.
No matter how careful you are, it’s still essential for you to know the signs of breast implant problems. These are some common risks and complications to watch out for:
● Uneven breast size, shape, or level
● Delayed healing at the incision site
● Skin rashes around the breast area
● Pain around the breast or nipple area
● Changes in nipple and breast sensations
● Wrinkling or rippling of breast implants
● Breast tissue atrophy, or the gradual thinning of the skin
● Calcium deposits or hard lumps around the breast implants
● Deflation or saline solution leaking from the implant
● Toxic shock syndrome and other types of infection around the area
What Is the Typical Cost of a Breast Implant?
The average cost of breast augmentation ranges from $5,000 to $12,000. However, the actual price depends on various factors, including your location, your doctor or surgeon, and the type of implant you plan to use.
Breast implant replacement cost is another conversation altogether. Your healthcare provider will consider the state of your existing implants and what adjustments need to be made when you have them replaced.
Remember that breast implants are generally considered cosmetic procedures, so they aren’t always covered by health insurance.
How Can Beautifi Help?
Beautifi makes breast implants and other cosmetic procedures accessible and affordable to all Canadians. You don’t have to worry about shouldering the upfront cost because we can approve loans of up to $25,000. In addition, monthly payments are flexible and transparent.
If you know which procedure you want but still haven’t found the right doctor, we can help you with that too. Check our competitive patient financing rates and apply today!