Are My Breast Implants Still Intact After 31 Years?

Q: Dr. Eppley, My breast implants were put in 1997, I am 64 now, never an issue, they are still soft and no pain at all..but want them out, but cant afford that. I believe they were 350cc. I need a mammogram but refuse the one where they smash you down! i am too afriad of that. Yes, they are old but intact for sure..if they were not intact would’nt my implants be totally deflated? they re still full and round! But if I do this mammo, and they smash em down—I may just invite issues for myself as they might burst…eeek! I cant do that. I read where you wrote a lady back as she had implants that were 31yrs old and you said the shell is not intact any longer anyway…..but….mine is intact or my implants would be deflated correct? 

A: Are they silicone or saline breast implants? I assume since they were placed in 1997 they are saline implants. If so then of there was any loss of integrity of the implant shell they would deflate or be flat.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World Renowned Plastic Surgeon