While breast implants do have the possibility of lasting a lifetime, the implant manufacturers do not consider them "lifetime devices" as the possibility exists that over time the outer shell will fail. Saline implant failure is obvious when it occurs: the saline solution is quickly absorbed by the body and the deflated side immediately looks smaller than the intact side. Silicone implant failure is somewhat different, as rupture cannot be detected by looking at or feeling the breast. The gel material is not absorbed by the body so the appearance and feel of the breast does not change following rupture. For that reason, implant companies have created cohesive gel implants: when these devices rupture, the gel sticks to itself and doesn't wander into the surrounding tissue (also known as "gummy bear" implants because of the way the internal gel behaves when the implant is cut in half). Do you have questions about implants? Ask in the comments below and we'll answer.
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