Can saline breast implants deflate after surgery?

Saline breast implants can deflate after surgery. About 1% per year will do so. As a cumulative risk, this means that after ten years there is a 10% chance of deflation. The Mentor Corporation, one of the two implant companies, quotes a 3.7% deflation rate for its smooth, round saline implants after seven years. Inamed Aesthetics, now part of Allergan, counters with a 2% deflation rate for its similar product. This contrasts to Mentor's 12.4% rate of deflation for its textured variety. And larger implants may deflate sooner than smaller implants. If deflation occurs, wait until morning and then schedule an appointment with your plastic surgeon right away. Sometimes replacements can be performed under local anesthesia. The implant companies often will pick up part of the bill.