As a result of major advances in implant technology, breast augmentation has consistently been one of the most often requested cosmetic surgical procedures, year after year. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (the leading professional organization for plastic surgeons), its members performed almost 280,000 breast augmentation procedures in 2015, making it the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure for that year. Dr. Paul Pin has certainly seen this trend within his own practice.

However, there has been another growing trend associated with breast augmentation surgery, with women having implants removed, but not replaced. Each year, as many as 40,000 women decide to remove their implants. The ASPS annual survey also showed that the number of breast explants (removal of implants) jumped by almost 10 percent between 2010 and 2014. Just in 2014, almost 24,000 women, mainly between the ages of 30 and 54, opted to remove implants but not replace them. Dr. Pin has also seen this trend among his patients. If you are considering a breast explant procedure, here are some considerations to keep in mind.

Has Your Lifestyle Changed?

Breast augmentation procedures are most popular among women between the ages of 18 and 29. By the time they get into their 30s, their lifestyles may have dramatically changed. The truth is that breast implants may no longer fit into that lifestyle, particularly if it includes pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Breast Implants Do Not Last Forever

There have been remarkable advances in breast plant material technology. The new cohesive gel implants (sometimes referred to as gummy bear implants because of the texture resemblance to the popular candy) are a huge step forward in terms of not being prone to leaking or rupturing. Nevertheless, breast implants (including cohesive gel implants) are not meant to be permanent. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is responsible for oversight of breast implant safety, recommends that breast implants be removed after 10 years. Many women find that once they reach that point, they simply do not feel like replacing the implants.

Early Detection of Breast Cancer

Although there are very few health concerns associated with saline or silicone gel implants that leak or rupture, there are other health issues that may develop that would make removing implants without replacing them a wise decision. Patients with a strong familial history of breast cancer, or the BRAC1 or BRAC2 genetic mutation that may lead to breast cancer, often opt to have implants removed in order to make it as easy as possible to detect any tumors early. While the breast implants may not have any direct relationship to development of breast cancer, they do make it more difficult to get a proper mammographic image, which can make it more difficult to catch breast cancer as early as possible.

The truth of the matter is that what may seem like the right decision at one point in your life may not be so at a later point. Many things may happen to change the course of your life over time. You might get married and start a family, get a major promotion with a great amount of job responsibility, or face a substantial change in your health status. Any one of these changes can play a role in your decision to have your breast implants removed. Dr. Pin can guide you through this process.