Can one remain with the same silicon breasts forever?

[Evolving Beauty]

I heard that you need to change your silicon breasts every like 10-15 years? Why is this so? Cos me I had had so much scars on the nipple that I don't wanna change it no matter what. Will this put my health in danger? What's the reason it needs to be changed exactly and what will be the consequences if I decide not to change it at all?

[Jaelithe]

I'm curious about this as well.

[Northern Jane]

My initial BA lasted 35 years and eventually needed to be changed because they started leaking. From what I was told at the plastic surgeon's office, 35 years is very unusual. With the new cohesive gel, I don't know why they would need to be replaced again - that is something you would have to ask a surgeon.

[mrs izzy]

Can not say about silicon used in BA. I had saline BA implants done in 2005 and the doctor said if they do not get a leak they will last me a life time.

Izzy

[luna nyan]

I was at a talk by a leading cosmetic surgeon in Sydney about history of cosmetic surgery, and other related topics.

His basic reply about BAs is that generally speaking, they may require revision at the 10-15 year mark as the silicon capsule can lose elasticity over time so they lose their "bounce".  If you don't mind that, they may be kept in place for longer until they leak.

The other common issue that leads to BA revision is capsular contraction - where a fibrous scar tissue forms around the implant and squeezes it into a ball shape with a texture like an orange.  It's less common these days as most BA are placed sub muscular.

As far as I'm concerned, any prosthesis that lasts 10 years plus should be considered pretty successful with our current level of medical science.

[anjaq]

I am interested in this as well. I am nearing the 15 year mark now. I dont have issues like contraction or lost bounciness or something like that - but I do not have the cohesive implants and I am a bit afraid that they may leak at some time without me knowing it. Is there a way to test this and maybe detect problems before they do damage to the body?
My surgeon there was telling me that I do not ever need to change them, but I dont trust him. He did not the best job and cut some of my nerves (I wish they could reconnect them ) and it took me years to get him to give me at least details on the manufacturer and lot number of the implants. At some point I felt like he was transphobic maybe to some degree and treating me a bit like an idiot.
My plan is now to check in the next year or so for another surgeon who does BA and tell him everything and then get advice. But I would like to know a bit beforehand what probably will be coming. I heard the 10-15 years number as well.

I did not get saline as they were described as having a less natural feel and the same was true for the cohesive silicones.

[luna nyan]

A quick google check and it seems that MRI is the current diagnostic tool of choice in checking for a leaking implant, and probably advisable given the age of your implants anjaq.

Any obvious change in shape and feel would be an indicator of a possible issue and should be examined.

[Northern Jane]

My GP sent me for an ultrasound and that was quite effective - even I could see it on the monitor.

[Evolving Beauty]

I was at a talk by a leading cosmetic surgeon in Sydney about history of cosmetic surgery, and other related topics.

His basic reply about BAs is that generally speaking, they may require revision at the 10-15 year mark as the silicon capsule can lose elasticity over time so they lose their "bounce".  If you don't mind that, they may be kept in place for longer until they leak.

The other common issue that leads to BA revision is capsular contraction - where a fibrous scar tissue forms around the implant and squeezes it into a ball shape with a texture like an orange.  It's less common these days as most BA are placed sub muscular.

As far as I'm concerned, any prosthesis that lasts 10 years plus should be considered pretty successful with our current level of medical science.

Mine is cohesive gel. It doesn't generally leak off right?

[anjaq]

Yeah, I should probably do a checkup, just dont want to go to that hospital again to do it, so I need to find someone else to take a look. (Can one carry a card that says not to be brought to a certain hospital ever? I would get that. They messed things up twice - SRS and BA). Who does this - a gynaekologist? GP? plastic surgeon? I dont have any issues at the moment with it, so it would be precautionary, but then I would have to repeat that what - yearly or so to be safe? I think I need to talk to someone experienced to figure if the 15 year age limit is really still valid - if so, great - that means even more surgery as if I didnt have enough about all the trans stuff in my head now again.

Cohesive gel I was told does not leak. I almost got that but the surgeon I was with told me that it is not as good in feel and that the regular ones will not have to be changed at all and cannot leak anymore, so he recommended them. I think that was maybe another wrong choice I made there to believe him...