Removing and changing breast implants: breast implant revision surgery

Breast implant removal and replacement procedures are collectively referred to as breast implant revision surgery. Most women with breast implants will need to undergo revision surgery at some point, as breast implants don’t last forever and will eventually need to be removed or replaced.

When should breast implants be removed or replaced?

If implants are more than 10 to 20 years old

L’mammaplasty with implants provides long-lasting, but not permanent, results. If you’ve been wearing your implants for more than 10 years, you can make an appointment with a plastic surgeon to make sure they’re still in good condition.

The fact that your current implants are 10 years old or more does not automatically mean that you need to replace them. If you have no health problems related to your implants, and the implants themselves are intact, revision surgery may not be necessary. A plastic surgeon can perform an examination and confirm it for you.
If you have health problems related to your implants

Some people experience health problems related to their breast implants. Problems that may require implant removal include:

• Excessive scar tissue
• Capsular contracture
• Implant leakage

If the patient wishes to change the appearance of your breasts

Some women choose to have their breast implants removed or replaced not for health reasons, but for aesthetic reasons. Breasts may change shape or size for the following reasons:

• age
• pregnancy
• breast-feeding
• weight changes

These changes can occur even in breasts with implants.

Some people decide they no longer need implants, no longer want them, or want to have them replaced with a new pair of a different size or shape.

How much does implant revision surgery cost?

Visit cost of implant revision varies according to the type of surgery you require. If you wish to have your existing implants removed and replaced with a new set of implants, this operation will cost more than if you simply wish to have your implants removed without being replaced. Request a personalized quote from Medespoir by filling out this online form:

Good candidate for implant replacement or removal surgery?

You may be a good candidate for this cosmetic surgery if you currently have breast implants and have a specific reason for wanting to remove or replace them. Health and aesthetic issues can be common reasons for breast implant revision surgery.

It’s also important to be in good physical health and have a stable weight. This is particularly important if you are having revision surgery for aesthetic reasons, as weight variations can affect the results of the operation.

The consultation for a breast implant revision is similar to the one you had for your first implant. You will undergo a physical examination and spend some time discussing the procedure with your surgeon.

You’ll discuss a number of issues, including your surgical goals, medical history and previous breast augmentation surgery. And don’t forget to mention any medications or supplements you’re taking.

Once your surgeon has performed a physical examination and taken your medical history, he or she will recommend a plan of action. Depending on your situation and preferences, this may involve implant removal surgery, or removal followed by placement of a new set of implants.

Operation sequence

The removal or revision of a breast implant is generally performed under general anesthesia. Once the procedure has begun, your surgeon makes incisions in your breasts, either along the inframammary fold, or around or under the areolas. The breast implants are removed through these incisions.

The rest of the intervention will be tailored to your specific needs. For example, scar tissue may be removed or a new series of breast implants. Once the procedure is complete, the incisions are closed and you are transferred to a recovery room.

Postoperative recovery and care for implant removal and revision

Breast implant replacement and removal procedures are generally performed on an outpatient basis. This means that unless you have complicated health problems, you’ll be going home the same day. Make sure someone takes you home and helps take care of you for at least the first 24 hours.

After your breast implant revision procedure, you may experience pain, swelling and bruising in the breast area. These symptoms will gradually diminish over time. However, while most pain and bruising tends to disappear after two weeks, residual pain may persist for up to six weeks. Swelling may take longer to disappear completely.

Depending on your normal level of activity, you may have to limit certain activities for two or three weeks after the operation. In general, this means avoiding any strenuous activity, including heavy lifting and high-impact exercise. Your surgeon will give you a full list of activities to avoid, depending on the specific nature of your operation.

The results

The final results of breast implant revision surgery are highly individual. It’s very difficult for a surgeon to predict precisely what your results will be, because so much depends on whether or not your breast tissue has been damaged.

Possible complications

The possible complications of a breast implant revision are as follows:

• Bleeding or hematoma (ecchymosis)
• Seroma or accumulation of fluid around incisions or in breasts
• Infection
• Asymmetry may occur if scar tissue is removed, as the quantities of tissue removed from each breast may be unequal.
• Sagging skin, which can lead to sagging breasts
• Loss of sensitivity
• Scars