“Is it time to replace your breast implants?”
Whether you’re experiencing implant complications, aesthetic concerns or have just had your implants for some time, breast implant replacement may be a suitable treatment for you.
Patients see Dr Anh to have their implants replaced for a number of reasons. Some women require implant removal due to complications, such as rupture, shifting or capsular contracture, and choose to replace them with new ones. Other women find that their implants are no longer the right size for them after experiencing pregnancy or changes in weight. In some cases, women have been disappointed by surgery performed abroad or by a different surgeon, and wish for a Specialist Plastic Surgeon to review and revise their implants.
Whatever the reason, if you are dissatisfied or experiencing any problems with your breast implants, you may be a candidate for replacement.
What is a breast implant replacement?
Breast implant replacement is a surgical procedure designed to remove and then replace breast implants in order to correct unsatisfactory results or complications that have occurred after breast augmentation surgery.
When do breast implants need to be replaced?
Breast implants, while durable, are not designed to be life devices and will need to be revised, removed or replaced at some stage. Despite this, there is no exact time frame for replacing implants, as this varies from patient to patient.
While you typically should consider exchanging your implants at the 9-10 year mark, only 20% of women who undergo augmentation actually have their breast implants replaced within ten years. In fact, the average lifespan of breast implants is around 20 years.
Despite that, the longer your implants have been in place, the higher the risk of complications. For this reason, Dr Anh suggests undergoing an annual clinical examination of your implants.
What happens during the procedure
Breast implant replacement surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and takes around an hour to complete. Once you have been sedated, Dr Anh will make an incision, ideally at the same site as your initial augmentation if it is possible to do so. This allows her to remove your original implants and replace them with new ones of your choice. She will then close your incisions with sutures.
If, however, your implants are being removed due to capsular contracture, Dr Anh will use a technique known as en bloc capsulectomy to remove both the implant and surrounding tissue simultaneously.
Breast Implant Replacement FAQs
The cost of breast implant replacement varies from patient to patient. The total cost of your procedure is made up of a number of components, including Dr Anh’s surgical fees, anaesthetic fees, hospital fees and implant costs, as well as the complexity of the procedure. During your consultation with Dr Anh, she will provide you with a detailed quote of what is included in the total costs of your procedure.
Dr Anh is a highly experienced plastic surgeon, however no procedure is without risk. Potential risks and complications of breast implant replacement include:
- Allergic reaction to anaesthesia, sutures, dressings or antibacterial agents
- Visible and prominent scarring
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- Pain
- Blood clots
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Capsular contracture
- Implant leakage or rupture
- Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
- Excess fluid accumulation under the skin
After your implants have been replaced, Dr Anh will cover your breasts in gauze and insert a temporary drainage tube to collect any fluid or blood that may build up after surgery. You will need to avoid wearing an underwear bra for at least six weeks.
You will need to take some time off work, usually around two weeks, to rest after your breast implant replacement. You can expect to experience some pain, bruising and swelling, however Dr Anh will prescribe medication to alleviate this. You will also need to avoid any heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and swimming until advised by Dr Anh, however this is usually within six weeks.
Dr Anh will provide you with thorough post operative care instructions to take home. This will cover how to care for your wounds, which medications to take and when, warning signs to look out for and a timeline for any follow up visits.
As with any other surgical procedure, breast implant replacement will inevitably leave a scar. During the procedure, Dr Anh will aim to create incisions in an easily hidden location, likely in the same place as your initial augmentation to avoid creating any additional scars. This way, any scarring will hopefully go unnoticed once your surgical wounds have healed. If your skin is prone to scarring, make sure to discuss this with Dr Anh during your consultation.