The present invention is directed to methods and systems for adjusting an implant, such as a mitral valve ring, over the long term without having to enter a patient's body. The long term adjustment system can include a magnet, or other magnetic material, that is functionally connected to the adjustment mechanism of an adjustable implant. The long term adjustment system can be activated by placing an activating magnet near the area of the patient's body where the adjustable implant is located and positioning the activating magnet so that an attractive force is generated between the activating magnet and the magnet that is functionally connected to the adjustable implant. Due to the attractive force between the two magnets, rotation of the magnet outside the patient's body will adjust the size and/or shape of the implant.