Breast augmentations are among the most popular cosmetic surgeries for women. But here’s the thing: while breast implants don’t come with a set expiration date, they won’t last forever. So, when should you think about replacing them? Dr. Michael Kim came on ABC7 to talk about the factors that can affect this decision.
In the United States, over 2.2 million people have breast implant procedures. Most women don’t choose to replace their implants within 10 years and can keep them in for several decades. However, around 20% to 30% of women need to replace their implants within 10 years. There are different reasons for this. Sometimes, the implant ruptures. Or, the breasts may become asymmetrical, or the implant may shift out of place. Some women just want to have their implants removed.
One particular reason for replacement is Breast Implant – Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA – ALC). Around 35 million breast implants globally carry a risk of this. BIA – ALC is a rare form of non – Hodgkin lymphoma that develops around textured breast implants. It’s a serious condition, but if detected early, the prognosis is usually good. Still, around the world, there have been 59 deaths in 51 countries due to this.
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