Breast Implant Replacement
With aging, your appearance changes, and that includes that of your breasts. Pregnancy, weight loss or weight gain, hormonal fluctuations, and hereditary factors can result in changes to the shape, size and look of your breasts. These occur in both breasts that have been surgically enhanced and those that have not.
Breast implants do not last a lifetime, even though some women have enjoyed implants that continue to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. There may be many reasons why the patient decides to have their implants replaced. Therefore, your options must be discussed with your board certified plastic surgeon and in many cases requires more thought and planning than the original decision to undergo breast enhancement surgery.
Patients undergo replacement of their breast implants in order to improve the size, shape or feel . As your body changes with age, your implants must be tailored in order to give you the most proportional look to the rest of your body. During the initial consultation, the size, position, shape, natural breast tissue and body frame are all evaluated to determine what type of replacement implant can best improve your body image.
Patients who have undergone breast augmentation surgery can lose firmness to their breast tissue which can lead to sagging. This is sagging can vary between patients. Breast lift techniques, with or without exchange of the implant, May be indicated to reshape the sagging breast tissue.
Even patients that do not have any concerns with the appearance of their breast after breast augmentation surgery must visit their plastic surgeon regularly to assess the condition of their breast implants. Patients may require replacement of implants that have deflated or are leaking. Moreover, patients may be advised to consider a change in breast size or shape to maintain proper proportions between their body and breasts. Implant replacement may also be indicated in cases of capsular contracture, a condition in which excessive scar tissue develops around the implant causing a unnatural feel and firmness to the breast. Not only must the breast implant be removed in many cases, but the scar tissue must either be released or completely removed.
The first step is to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. During the consultation, we will discuss your aesthetic goals, examine your breasts and take a thorough history. Pictures will be taken, reviewed and a plan recommended. You will be informed of your obligations as a patient during the preoperative and postoperative course, including your restrictions to activity, work and exercise. All surgery carries risks and the potential complications and unexpected results will be discussed prior to treatment. Most breast implant replacement surgeries can be performed on an outpatient basis and many times can be done under “twilight” or general anesthesia. If you are treated as an outpatient, I do recommend that a capable adult accompany you from the surgical facility to home and stay with you for a minimum of 24 hours. If this is not possible, we can refer you to excellent recovery facilities around the bay area. All of these arrangements are made prior to procedure.
After you have healed adequately, we do recommend support and wearing a bra that fits properly. Massaging techniques will keep the implant soft and supple. For the long-term, monthly self breast exams and mammography screenings are required in maintaining good breast health. An annual examination is also advised to assess the condition of your breast implants. Just as important is a good quality of life, including a healthy diet and regular exercise. For patient examples, please refer to the link below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office and schedule a consultation. Thank you for your time.