Lifetime breast implants: how long do breast implants last?
Do breast implants really last a lifetime? We reveal how long breast implants last and in which circumstances they may need to be changed.
How long do breast implants last?
The idea of “lifetime breast implants” is common in public discourse, but in practice, the longevity of implants depends on several individual and clinical factors, such as surgical technique, patient aftercare, and physiological response.
Like all breast implants, SILIMED Breast Implants have a limited lifespan. This lifespan has not yet been determined by the scientific community. Several factors can have a significant effect on the lifetime of a device, which include the current implantation procedure, the patient’s anatomy and health status, behavior and activities (e.g. sports activities), as well as external mechanical influences. predictable and unpredictable. SILIMED establishes an average period of 10 years as the expected useful life, but this parameter can be changed when any reason that justifies it is raised. For that reason, Silimed recommends patients have a clinical check-up each year.1 2 3 4
Average lifespan of breast implants
A study carried out with Silimed implants demonstrated a low rate of breast implant ruptures (5.42%). Furthermore, survival calculated by Kaplan-Meier with these devices was 93% at 9 years and 83% at 11 years.1 2 3 4 So, there is no exact replacement date.
How often do breast implants need to be changed?
There is no compulsory calendar showing that they need to be changed after 10 years. In this way, SILIMED establishes an average period of 10 years as the expected useful life, but this parameter can be changed when any reason that justifies it is raised. 1 2 3 4
The current medical advice is to have regular check-ups (ultrasound, MRI or mammograms adapted for breast implants ) and consider replacement only if there is a complication or relevant aesthetic change.5
Average lifespan of breast implants
- Modern implants, such as Silimed implants have High-Performance Silicone Cohesive Gel, are safer and last longer. This High-Performance Cohesive Gel has a higher resistance to gel fracture, increased gel-membrane integration, a higher rate of elasticity and increased stability of the format.6
- For some patients, the implants remain stable and complication-free for well over 10 years with no need for replacement.7-9
Is there such a thing as lifetime breast implants?
Silimed, for example, offers a Product Replacement Programme PSPS thar provides implant replacement in the event of:
- Rupture of the implant due to a manufacturing defect (lifetime warranty).
- Grade III or IV capsular contracture on the Baker classification system, with cover for between 6 and 10 years, depending on the type of surface.
Although this programme offers long-term reassurance, regular clinical monitoring remains essential.
Tips for extending the lifespan of breast implants
The lifetime of breast implants not only depends on their quality, but also by ongoing care and lifestyle choices.
Regular medical check-ups
We recommend having:
- An annual check-up with a physical examination, performed by the plastic surgeon.
- A breast ultrasound every 1-2 years.
Healthy habits to support their lifespan
The durability of breast implants also depends on aftercare and the patient’s lifestyle. We recommend:
- Avoiding trauma to the chest area and high-impact exercises, especially in the first few months after the surgery. This lowers the risk of displacement, rupture or the formation of a capsular contracture. 10 11
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that preserves skin elasticity and muscle tone. This is key to retaining the shape and position of the implant. Maintain a stable weight and hydrate the skin to ensure the aesthetic result lasts.11 12
- Carefully adhering to the surgeon’s post-operative instructions. Complying with medical recommendations and attending regular check-ups are essential to ensuring your implants last. Several clinical studies highlight the fact that surgical follow-up and adherence to post-operative guidelines reduce the incidence of complications and improve long-term results. 12 13
Extend the lifespan of your breast implants with Silimed
Thanks to their innovation, decades of experience, and strict quality and safety standards, Silimed offers long-lasting breast implants.
The BioDesign Collection and the four surfaces that are exclusive to Silimed allowing surgeons to match implant design to each patient’s biotype, optimising both aesthetics and long-term performance and safety.
To offer patients even more security, each box of Silimed implants comes with a Patient Card, where the plastic surgeon or team should affix the implant labels with the serial number, reference and volume of each implant. This card must be kept by the patient who has undergone silicone implant placement and should be presented before undergoing mammograms or bone mineral densitometry examinations. If the patient wishes to have surgery to replace the silicone implant or to validate the replacement, they must present this card to the plastic surgeon in order to choose the new implant.
At Silimed, we registering your breast implants on our website. You do not need to register the serial numbers online to manage your replacement.
Also, with the PSPS Warranty Programme, Silimed reinforces its commitment to support women who decide to take this step in their lives offering peace of mind, accountability and clinical excellence.
- Internal document Silimed usage instructions (e-IUP-001-01-P-E)
- Internal document Silimed usage instructions (e-IUP-001-02-LN-E)
- Internal document Silimed usage instructions (e-IUP-001-01-T-EC)
- Internal document Silimed usage instructions (e-IUP-001-01-l-EC)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2020). Risks and Complications of Breast Implants. FDA. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/risks-and-complications-breast-implants
- Kinney, B. M., Jeffers, L. L. C., Ratliff, G. E., & Carlisle, D. A. (2014). Silicone gel breast implants: Science and testing. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 134(1 Suppl), 47S–56S. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000000366.
- Handel, N., Cordray, T., Gutierrez, J., & Jensen, J. A. (2006). A long-term study of outcomes, complications, and patient satisfaction with breast implants. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 117(3), 757–767. doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000201457.00772.1d Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16525261/
- Stevens, W. G., Calobrace, M. B., Alizadeh, K., Zeidler, K. R., Harrington, J. L., & D’Incelli, R. C. (2018). Ten-year core study data for Sientra’s Food and Drug Administration–approved round and shaped breast implants with cohesive silicone gel. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 141(4S), 7S–19S. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000004350. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29595714/
- Brorson, F., Hölmich, L. R., & Henriksen, T. F. (2025). Long-term implant survival in delayed breast reconstruction. BJS Open, 9(4), zraf071. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zraf071. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40613789/
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2020). Breast Implants – What Patients Need to Know. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/what-patients-need-know-about-breast-implants
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). (2024). Breast Augmentation Recovery and Aftercare. Arlington Heights, IL: (ASPS). Available at: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation/recovery
- British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). (2022). Aftercare Following Breast Surgery. London, United Kingdom: BAPRAS. Available at: https://www.bapras.org.uk/public/patient-information/breast/breast-surgery-aftercare
- Hidalgo, D. A., & Sinno, S. (2016). Current trends and controversies in breast augmentation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 137(6), 1142e–1150e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000002303
