According to WebMD, breast implants should last at least 10 years, if not longer. You have been enjoying the confidence that you feel after having breast augmentation surgery but are not sure if it is time to undergo breast implant revision surgery. Here are a few telltale signs it is time to have your current breast implants replaced.

The Breast Implants Begin to Feel Hard  

Breast implants are pliable and soft, which gives the implant the look and feel of natural breast tissue. However, over time the implants can begin to feel hard. This is a condition called capsular contracture and it occurs when an abnormal amount of scar tissue begins to grow around the implant. In rare cases, the body will see the implant as a foreign invader inside the body and excessive scar tissue will begin to form around the implant.

There are four different grades of capsular contracture. The lowest grade is usually not even noticeable. However, if a patient is diagnosed with grade four, it can be very noticeable because the implant will feel very hard and painful. In the case of severe capsular contracture, your plastic surgeon will typically recommend having the implants replaced.

You Simply Aren't Happy With the Size

Your breast augmentation surgery was successful, and you are moderately happy with the results. However, after a few months, you start to wonder if you have made the right choice and want to replace your current implants with a different size product. Your plastic surgeon wants you to be very happy with your results and if you simply decide that the implants are too large or too small, you can have your current implants replaced with the ideal size for you.

Your Breast Implants Have Shifted 

The majority of breast implants are placed beneath the muscles of the chest. In some very rare cases, if a woman flexes her chest muscles, the implants can shift slightly. However, this is not a cause for concern. In other cases, however, the breast implant can shift or migrate enough that it is noticeable. In this case, your surgeon will need to either remove the existing implant and replace it with a new product or the current implant will need to be relocated to ensure that there is no shifting or movement in the future.

From capsular contracture to simply being unhappy with the size of your breasts, there are several signs you should have your breast implants replaced.

For more information, contact a company like Dakota Plastic Surgery: Sanjay Mukerji, MD.