Breast Implants and Aging: What To Know About Old Breast Implants

Whether it is due to genetics, weight loss, aging, or pregnancy, there are hundreds of thousands of women who want to improve the appearance, shape, and size of their breasts. This would have been considered too risky and taboo several decades ago but public opinion on the matter of breast augmentation in Singapore shifted towards a more accepting light these days, so no one bats an eyelash anymore when the words ‘breast’ and ‘implant’ are mentioned together in one sentence. In addition, there are now different implant options and surgical techniques to choose from, and each one guarantees safe and effective results. To learn more about the procedure – why breast augmentation is done, who is a great candidate for it, what happens to breast implants as a person age (https://nassimplasticsurgery.com/clinic-services/breast-augmentation/), and more – read this article and to find out what breast augmentation can do for you.

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation, sometimes known as a “boob job”, is a surgical procedure where a doctor inserts an implant made from silicone gel or saline underneath the skin to make the breasts look larger or fuller. It is one of the most popular options for women who want to improve their breasts’ volume, curve, lift, and symmetry. 

Why do women undergo breast augmentation?

When it comes to breast augmentation, no reason can be too big or too small. Many women consider their breasts as an important part of their appearance. It is a personal decision, one that is deeply rooted in an individual’s perception of what an ideal breast size or shape would bring satisfaction and fulfilment to their wants and desires. Some of the reasons why women undergo breast augmentation include:

• To boost their self-esteem and be more confident in the way their body look.
• To achieve a more proportional body size.
• To enhance the appearance of their breast, if they think that theirs are small or that one is smaller than the other (asymmetrical or uneven breasts)
• To restore the size of the breasts after experiencing significant loss of weight or pregnancy
• To correct uneven breast after breast surgery for cancer (called breast reconstruction)
• To have better options in clothing.
• To achieve a more youthful appearance

Women between the ages of 20s to 30s are likely to seek a plastic surgeon’s help to address severe breast hypoplasia, a condition where there is insufficient breast tissue to meet a person’s expectations of an adequate or desirable breast size. In other words, they seek breast augmentation to achieve fuller-looking breasts that still look natural. Women in their 40s, on the other hand, undergo the same procedure to address age-related changes to breast appearance. Aging is the human body’s kryptonite – everything it touches loses its once-youthful qualities. The effects of aging on the breasts are not an exception – aside from the loss of volume, it causes breast tissue to sag. Add the deflating effects of post-pregnancy and nursing as well as sun damage and the pull of gravity over time and the physical changes to the breasts can be very apparent – and undesirable, for some people.  

Although there are a lot of people who undergo breast augmentation in Singapore for cosmetic purposes, the procedure is also beneficial for those who have had a mastectomy (breast removal). Breast augmentation can help restore the breasts after a mastectomy due to cancer or other serious health issues, thus allowing cancer patients and survivors to feel whole again.

What happens when you get old with breast implants?

Getting breast implants is a major and life-changing decision, so one should consider it thoroughly.

One of the most common questions that are asked by patients during the initial stage of the discussion is “What happens to the breast implants when I age?”. And it is a very sensible question to ask, especially since breast implants are not known to last forever. The average lifespan of breast implants is somewhere from ten to twenty years. Beyond that, the chance of having the implants rupture increases by one percent annually. This means that the longer you keep the implants in, the higher the risk of rupture, leaks, and other unwanted effects. An old implant is likely to lose its outer shell’s strength and when this happens, the implant becomes unstable and more easily broken.

Studies also show that there is a link between keeping old breast implant and developing a specific type of cancer called breast implant-associated large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). This type of cancer is found in between the scar tissue inside the breast (where the implant was inserted into) and the breast implant itself. Technically, BIA-ALCL does not fall within the category of a conventional breast cancer, but it is recognized in the medical community as a cancer that affects the immune system. The concrete cause of this cancer is not yet determined, although it is widely thought that some types of breast implant material can cause long-term irritation within the body, which compromises the immune system.

Should I have my old breast implants removed?

No need to panic or worry too much if you have old implants – it is a good thing that today’s breast implants in Singapore are designed to be safe in the event of a rupture or leak. Silicone implants are now self-adhesive to prevent leakage into the surrounding breast tissue, while saline implants are engineered to safely discharge the saline solution into the body. 

If you notice any of the following signs, you should see your doctor immediately to discuss the possibility of implant removal:

• Breast hardening, which can cause tightness, pain, tenderness in the breast, as well as changes in the size and shape of the breasts.
• Implant rippling or wrinkling that can be noticed on the skin.
• Change in the position of the implants.
• Saline implant rupture, which causes the breast to look deflated, misshapen, and/or smaller.
• Silicone rupture, which causes uneven appearance, reduced breast size, swelling, numbness, or a tingling/burning sensation in the breast. A silicone rupture is also called a ‘silent rupture’ because it is notoriously difficult to spot.

To avoid any complications, it is best to see your doctor for an annual clinical breast exam. And if you notice any changes, do not hesitate to reach out to your plastic surgeon to monitor the condition and review your treatment options. As always, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Nassim Plastic Surgery

1 Orchard Blvd

#11-02 Camden Medical Centre

Singapore 248649

https://nassimplasticsurgery.com

(65) 6517 9890

(65) 9267 7469