10 Jan 46-Year-Old Breast Implants Revealed on TikTok
You can find just about anything on TikTok, and there’s a lot to uncover if you follow “SurgeryTok” on the popular platform. At Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, we saw that a plastic surgeon recently documented the removal of 46-year-old implants, which were placed in the 1970s. According to the doctor, he was just four years old when the patient had these first-generation silicone implants placed. Today’s silicone implants are considered fifth-generation.
Ultimately, breast implants don’t have a shelf life, regardless of the material used. However, most patients change their breast implants every 10 – 15 years as their body and preferences change. For example, the very large, round, intentionally fake-looking breast implants of the 1990s have fallen out of favor. Now, natural-looking, teardrop-shaped breast implants are in high-demand. However, this TikTok video is a reminder that while most patients don’t keep the same implants for nearly half a century, you probably could!
What Old Implants Look Like
Bear in mind that it’s impossible to compare breast implants from the 1970s to implants today. The technology has progressed so much that it’s like comparing apples to oranges (the comparison—not the shape). The surgeon who removed the implants noted that one was more discolored than the other, and it was easy to peel away layers of the removed implants. They were not ruptured, but the doctor points out that the silicone “bleeds” when he presses on it. In the video, it can be seen that the implant sticks to his hand.
This should not be cause for concern. The doctor says, “When I picked this up [the implant] to try to tear it apart, it still didn’t tear when I pulled on it pretty forcefully.” There’s also a big difference between squishing an implant that’s been removed and how it is treated in the body. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) suggests that breast implants are not “lifetime devices,” but should rather be monitored and typically replaced by the 20-year mark. Further, the ASPS says, “On average, today’s implants are designed to last more than a decade, with the chance of rupture increasing by 1 percent each year. So, the older your implants are the greater your risk of rupture or other complications.”
Rupture Realities
“Rupture” can technically happen to silicone or saline implants, though they are naturally more common with saline (but still rare). However, when saline implants are ruptured, the saline is naturally and safely absorbed by the body. That’s one of the primary draws to saline implants for many patients. A ruptured saline implant is noticeable, but fixable by your cosmetic surgeon. Silicone implant ruptures aren’t visibly noticeable, which is why it’s important to have them regularly checked by your surgeon.
It’s a testament to breast implants that this 1970s pair is still in relatively good shape. These implants were made by Dow Corning, who created 88 percent of breast implants in the 1970s according to the National Academy of Medicine. These implants sported a very thick shell and gel compared to today’s models. However, this thickness helped contribute to a low rupture rate—but also made “seepage” more common. Thinner shells became popular by the 1980s, but with an increased risk of rupture. It took a few decades to find the perfect balance that we enjoy today.
Today’s Silicone Implants
Today, shells are once again thicker and they are of overall higher quality. The gel inside is more cohesive today thanks to advanced cross-linking technology of silicone polymers. Seepage has been almost entirely eliminated, which is why you don’t hear about it happening anymore. All in all, we’ve come a long way since the 1970s, but that doesn’t mean if you have an old-school pair of implants that you’re in trouble (but you should definitely get them checked!).
There are also many more options today for customizing breast augmentation surgery. There are gummy bear implants (a type of silicone), different textures, more shapes, and more options for incision placement. You can also choose to have implants put above or below the chest muscles, with many patients opting below the muscle for a more natural look. If you’re thinking about getting breast augmentation surgery (or those old implants replaced!), schedule a consultation with Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center today. Call the office or complete the online form to get started.