Press & Media
Ocean Plastic Surgery Explains When Breast Implants Should Be Replaced
Dr. Raman Mehrzad explains why breast implants do not automatically need replacement after 10 years and what changes may call for an evaluation.
Published September 21, 2026
Ocean Plastic Surgery Center was featured in September 2026 coverage about when breast implants should be replaced. This page summarizes the release and explains how Dr. Raman Mehrzad evaluates implants, surrounding tissue and patient goals before recommending revision.
Published September 21, 2026. Dr. Raman Mehrzad explains why breast implants do not automatically need replacement after 10 years and what changes may call for an evaluation.
No automatic 10-year expiration
There is no universal rule that every breast implant must be removed or replaced at the 10-year mark. Ten years should not be viewed as an automatic expiration date. A more useful evaluation looks at whether the implant remains intact, whether the surrounding breast tissue or implant pocket has changed, whether symptoms have developed, and whether the original result still matches what the patient wants today.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that breast implants are not lifetime devices and that the likelihood of complications increases the longer implants are present. Replacement is not automatically required at a specific anniversary after breast augmentation.
What breast implant revision covers
Breast implant revision is not a single operation. It is a category of breast surgery used to address changes involving an existing implant, the surrounding scar capsule, the implant pocket, breast tissue, skin or breast position.
Reasons for revision may include implant rupture or deflation, capsular contracture, malposition, asymmetry, rippling or visibility, changes after pregnancy or weight fluctuations, aging of breast tissue, a wish to change size, or a decision to remove implants.
According to Dr. Mehrzad, revision planning is as much about the surrounding anatomy as the implant itself. The pocket, capsule, tissue, skin envelope and nipple position can all change, and identifying which component causes the concern determines the plan. Learn more about breast revision in Los Alamitos and Dr. Raman Mehrzad.
Rupture and capsular contracture
Silicone rupture can occur without an obvious change, sometimes called silent rupture. Current FDA recommendations for patients without symptoms who have silicone gel-filled implants call for a first ultrasound or MRI about five to six years after implantation, then imaging every two to three years. Saline rupture usually behaves differently because the breast generally loses volume as saline is absorbed, making deflation more noticeable.
The body normally forms a capsule of scar tissue around an implant. Capsular contracture occurs when that capsule becomes abnormally tight or firm, which can cause firmness, discomfort, displacement or visible distortion. Treatment may involve removing or modifying the capsule, replacing the implant, adjusting the pocket, or combining techniques.
Revision does not always mean replacement
Depending on the reason for surgery, options may include exchanging implants, changing size or profile, correcting position, removing implants without replacement, addressing the capsule, combining surgery with a breast lift, correcting asymmetry, or using fat grafting in selected patients to improve contour. Removing an implant does not necessarily restore the breast to its appearance before augmentation, since pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, aging and tissue remodeling also affect appearance.
When to seek an evaluation
New or unexplained changes should be evaluated rather than attributed to implant age alone. Persistent swelling, a new mass, significant pain, increasing firmness, substantial asymmetry, displacement or an unexpected change in shape may warrant further evaluation.
Arranging a consultation
Located in Los Alamitos, Ocean Plastic Surgery Center treats patients from Orange County, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Irvine, Long Beach and surrounding communities. To review whether evaluation or revision applies to your situation, request a consultation with Dr. Mehrzad.