Breast implants are gel or fluid-filled pouches inserted in the breast area. People get breast implants for cosmetic reasons or after breast surgery to reconstruct.
They differ in size, shape, filling, and surface characteristics. Most implants are either round or teardrop shaped. They may be filled with saline (sterile salt water) or with silicone gel.
Breast implants are not lifetime devices. They are often replaced after 10 to 15 years.
Consider the risks and benefits
Find out what the risks and benefits are of undergoing breast implant surgery. Your health practitioner can give you education material so that you're informed. This is often called the patient information leaflet.
You can also ask your health practitioner about alternatives to breast implant surgery. See here for more questions to ask your health practitioner or if you are considering breast reconstruction surgery, then there is a tool to help you in your decision making on the Breast Cancer Network Australia website.
If you go ahead with the procedure, ask for a patient implant card to help you keep a record of:
- the name of the device
- type of implant
- type of procedure
- details of when, where and who performed the procedure.
Research the device
Check to see if your implant is included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
- If your device is in the list, it's legal for supply in Australia.
- Some implants get suspended from inclusion in the register - see our Current status of breast implant products in Australia page. This indicates that the TGA has concerns about the implant's safety and performance.
- Your doctor should give you our information sheet What you need to know about unapproved breast implants (pdf,244kb) if the implant is suspended. This document can help you can make an informed choice for your circumstances.
Ask your health practitioner if they contribute to the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR).
The ABDR records your contact and surgery details (including why you had surgery).
The ABDR helps us track the long-term safety and performance of breast implants. It also helps in notifying you and other patients of any safety concerns related to breast implants.
We encourage you to contribute to the ABDR, but you can choose to opt-out.
Any research reports that use ABDR data won't contain any personal information. More information about ABDR data privacy is available on the ABDR website.
Research the health practitioner
Ask your health practitioner about their training and experience.
Health practitioners have varying levels of training and experience. For breast implant surgery consider their expertise in:
- breast implant surgery,
- management of any associated complications, and
- adverse outcomes, including breast implant associated cancer.
See the Getting help webpage for information on where to go for help on breast implants.
Consider getting a second opinion from your GP if you feel it will help you make a good decision.
Seek advice
Keep in mind that if you're going overseas for breast implants, the quality of care may be different.
Your implant might not have undergone the same regulatory scrutiny. We encourage you to talk to your healthcare professional about your plans.
Know the symptoms
Breast implant associated cancer, which is also known as breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), is a rare cancer of the immune system. It is not breast cancer, which forms from cells in the breast. Instead, a cancer that grows in the fluid and scar tissue that forms around a breast implant.
The most common symptom is swelling of a breast. This is from fluid build-up, but in some cases, it may appear as a lump in the breast or armpit.
Find out more about breast implant associated cancer on our information page.
Report problems
We monitor the safety of medical devices in Australia. This includes breast implants. If you experience a problem or side effect following a breast implant procedure, report it to us.