6 Signs You Need a Breast Implant Replacement

The FDA approves most breast implants for 10 to 20 years or more. But in some cases, implants may need to be replaced sooner. Breast implant replacement (also known as breast revision) is a surgery that removes your current implants and replaces them with a new pair. It is basically a breast implant removal, followed by another breast augmentation. 

Patients opt to get breast implant replacement for a number of reasons, which we will discuss below. Your new breast implants can be anything you choose — bigger, smaller, differently shaped, etc. You may choose saline or silicone implants.

Not sure whether this surgery is what you need? Here are 6 signs that breast implant replacement is a good fit for you.

6 Signs You May Need Breast Implant Replacement Surgery

1 – You have a ruptured implant.

An implant rupture can occur after a fall, because of a surgical error during your initial breast augmentation, or seemingly randomly. 

Fortunately, if saline implants rupture, the saline will simply be absorbed into the body. However, if a silicone implant ruptures, the health ramifications could be dangerous, so the silicone implants should be removed as soon as possible.

2 – You’re experiencing capsular contracture.

Capsular contracture is the development of excessive scar tissue within the breast tissue around your implants. This scar tissue essentially squeezes the implants, which can lead to pain and visible breast implants. Your surgeon can remove the scar tissue and old implants and perform a breast implant exchange.

3 – You’re experiencing discomfort. 

While capsular contracture is one of the reasons you may be experiencing pain or discomfort in your breasts, there are other reasons as well — and sometimes, we just don’t know why. In rare cases, the problem could be poor placement of implants, damage to the lymph nodes, a seroma, or other problems. 

If you are experiencing discomfort near your implants, however, do not endure the pain. Get them checked out, and if necessary, have them removed. While you can always get your breast implants replaced, in some cases, patients opt to get rid of their implants altogether and go with their natural breast tissue or get a breast lift.

4 – Your breast implants are rotating or shifting.

Sometimes, implant shifting is caused by lateral displacement, which means your implants are moving away from the center of your body, toward the sides. This usually happens when the pockets for your implants are too big. Rarely, breast implants will shift toward the center of your chest.

Rotation can also occur and is usually okay if you have around implants. If, however, you have teardrop shaped implants, rotation will make them look quite odd because the thicker side of the implant will be on the side or top of your breast when it should be on the bottom.

5 – Your breast implants are “bottoming out”.

This issue can occur when implants begin to drop or fall lower than the patient likes. Generally speaking, implants have “bottomed out” when they fall below the crease line under the breast. This occurs more often with rather large breast implants, but it can also be caused by pregnancy after breast augmentation or great fluctuations in weight. 

6 – You’d like to start over with new implants for aesthetic reasons.

Lastly, it’s not uncommon for patients to decide they want a new size and/or shape to their implants over time. For some patients, this decision is made right away after they’ve healed and they realize that they don’t like the size and shape of the implants they initially chose. 

For other patients, it takes a few years and they start to realize they’d like smaller breasts or possibly, larger breasts. We can also alter the shape and projection of your breasts or how they are positioned on your chest wall. 

Nearly any change can be made. Just keep in mind that the more expensive implants you choose, the higher the cost of breast implant replacement will be.

Set Up a Consultation Appointment With Dr. Aghayan

We also invite you to check back on the blog for more information on breast implant replacement surgery, including candidacy qualifications, surgical options, and breast revision surgery recovery time tips. Call today to schedule an appointment.

References

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/will-your-breast-implants-last-a-lifetime