Like many available retail products, breast implants have manufacturer warranties. Many patients do not think of or are unaware that such warranties actually exist. The only two implant manufacturers in the U.S., Mentor and Allergan, both have them and they have historically been relatively the same offerings. Such warranties apply to both saline and silicone gel breast implants.
Think of a breast implant warranty as some protection against inevitable device failure for many. There are no manmade devices that are currently commercially available that can be guaranteed to last a lifetime. This is especially true for medical implants. Many such devices, such as joint replacements or heart valves, do wear out and have to be replaced. Yet for some reason, people expect that a breast implant will last forever. But they do not. While many patients will experience decades of their benefits, eventually some will break down and leak. While no one is medically harmed or injured from these implant failures, the results achieved from the initial breast augmentation procedure will be diminished. This is especially true for saline implants where significant, if not all, implant volume will be lost.
The manufacturers offer two level of warranties, one that comes with their initial purchase (base warranty) and one that has enhanced replacement features at an additional cost. (premium or enhanced warranty) The base warranty is lifelong implant replacement. Meaning that as long as you are alive, they will give you a new implant free should it fail. (but they will not pay any costs related to having the additional surgery) In the first (ten) years from the initial surgery, however, they will not only replace the implant but give up to $1200 towards the cost of surgery. The premium warranty, at an additional cost of $100 dollars or so, offers not only lifelong implant replacement but a cash payout of $2400 in the first ten years and the option to get a whole new pair of implants. (replacing the one that has not failed as well)
Earlier this year, the Mentor Corporation expanded their premium warranty to include up to $3500 towards surgical costs for the first ten years. This is in addition to the existing paired implant replacement.. That new warranty reimbursement was set to expire on December 31, 2009. They have announced last week that the dollar limits of the enhanced warranty will continue for another year until December 31, 2010.
This is good and reassuring news for any new potential breast augmentation patient. I make it a point in my Indianapolis plastic surgery practice to make sure patients know of and understand the warranty information. It is critically important that patients are aware they only have up to 45 days after their surgery to sign and pay for the enhanced warranty program. Once that time has expired, one is no longer eligible.
While it may seem a little strange to have warranties on breast implants, it is good piece of mind for patients. Should replacement become necessary, the financial implications will be lessened (lifetime) or completely eliminated. (within the first ten years) For the patient, this is financial reassurance. For the manufacturer, it is a good business practice.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana