At some point in their lives, women who have received a breast augmentation will need an implant replacement due to a number of reasons. Rupture or leakage of the implant, hardening of the tissue around the implant, a desire to increase the implant size, and droopiness among other reasons may cause a patient to require an implant replacement.
 

What is a Breast Implant Replacement?

    A breast implant replacement refers to the revision of breast implants to correct issues that may have arisen over years after an initial breast augmentation procedure. There are a series of reasons as to why an implant replacement may be required, however, Dr. K Plastic Surgeon is skilled and experienced in providing implant replacement procedures that are safe and effective. The goal of the procedure is to remove tissue, or a capsule, that has hardened around the implant, increase the implant size, or correct droopiness of the breasts, if any. 

How Do I Know If My Breast Implants Need to Be Replaced?

Its a good practice to have your breast implants checked annually. If your breasts have undergone any kind of trauma, imcluding impact or compression, you should visit your surgeon because it may be possible the implants have ruptured and may be leaking into your body. Saline implants tend to deflate immediately, making their rupture apparent but silicone implants may leak slowly and be less apparent. It is also possible for implants to shift position, or become noticeable due to rippling, in which case an appointment with a plastic surgeon is recommended. If you choose to remove implants without replacing them, it will be necessary to perform a breast lift to maintain the visually pleasing appearance and fullness of volume in the breasts.

What Can I Expect During a Breast Implant Replacement Surgery?

Breast implant replacement is similar to breast augmentation. The scarring and recovery time are typically the same. In some cases, plastic surgeons may offer breast implant warranties, or, depending on the reason for the breast implant replacement, the procedure may be covered by the patient's insurance company. After surgery, strenuous activity must be avoided and the patient must wear a supportive, gauze-lined bra to absorb fluid drainage and minimize swelling.