Mr Omar Tillo
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Breast Implant Replacement
At a Glance
Do you have breast implants that need removing and replacing? After 10 to 15 years, it is natural to feel the need to replace your implants with new ones. In some instances, there may be a medical reason for swapping the implants. Sometimes your body would have changed and you no longer like the size of your implants. Whatever your reason for wanting the implants replaced, the breast specialists at Centre for Surgery will be able to give you with a range of replacement options.
Anaesthesia type: ClearSleep™ Procedure time: 1 - 2 hours Recovery time: 3 - 5 daysAbout
After a period of roughly 10 to 15 years, women will often seek out a breast implant replacement.
Capsular contracture can often be a reason for wanting implant replacement. This is where the internal scarring forms around the implant. This is a normal response from the body to a foreign object (the implant). Generally, the scarring will help to keep the implant in place. For more people, this will occur and they will be unaware of it happening. However, in some instances, capsular contracture will occur when the scarring puts pressure on the implant. This can cause the implant to appear misshapen or can even cause physical pain or discomfort.
Others may not experience capsular contracture, but simply want to change the appearance of their implants. Naturally ageing, as well as pregnancy, can alter how the breasts and the body appear. This may mean that the implants no longer suit. Replacing your implants will allow you to choose a new shape and size of implants to help achieve your desired look.
Candidates
To be suitable to have breast implant replacement, you will need to be experiencing capsular contracture or be unhappy with the size or shape of your current implants. Those who are wishing to have smaller, natural breasts may choose to opt for implant removal instead of replacement. In the case of implant removal, you may also need to undergo an uplift to avoid having any sagging skin or drooping breasts.
While breast implants generally need replacing after 10 to 15 years, if you are not experiencing any medical issues, it may not be necessary for you to undergo a breast implant replacement.
Those who undergo breast implant replacement will also need to be:
- 18 years or older
- Physically and mentally healthy
- Have reasonable expectations about what the procedure can achieve
Procedure
Prior to surgery, you will have a consultation with one of the surgeons, where you will be able to discuss your reasoning for wanting implant replacement, as well as the size, shape and placement of your new implants. The surgeon may also discuss the risks of going abroad for this particular procedure.
The breast implant replacement surgery will take place under a general anaesthetic known as ClearSleep™. You will be asleep throughout the procedure.
Your existing scars from your first breast augmentation will be used for the incision position, so you will have no new scars. Your implant will need to be placed in front of or behind the muscle. Generally, your implant will be placed back into the pocket that was previously made for it. However, if you have issues such as capsular contracture, or you are able to feel the edges of the implant, a new pocket may be made.
You will be able to increase or decrease the size of the implants. If you are looking to increase, the maximum size will depend on how much tissue and skin is available. If you choose implants which are too large, the edges of the implant may be visible after surgery. If you decide to decrease the size, this may result in loose or saggy skin, and it may be recommended that you undergo a mastopexy to lift the position of the breasts. This will ensure you have firm, youthful looking breasts without any sagging skin. If you undergo a mastopexy, you will have additional incisions and as a result new scars.
Recovery
The recovery period will often be shorter and not as difficult as when you had your first breast augmentation. This is because the surgeon would have used the existing pocket in front of or behind the muscle to place the implant. Unless the implant size has been drastically increased, no new skin and tissue stretching is involved in an implant replacement.
You may still experience pain and discomfort, particularly at the site of the incisions. You will be given pain medication to help alleviate any symptoms.
You may need to take one to two weeks off work to fully recover.
You may be able to start undertaking light activities within a few days of surgery. However, you will need to avoid any strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting for at least four to five weeks.
In most cases, your surgeon will have used the previous scar for the new incision site. However, if you also required an uplift, you will notice new scars, particularly around the areola and going vertically down to the breast crease. This will look more prominent directly after the procedure but will fade in colour and size over time.
FAQs
Many people feel the need to undergo a breast implant replacement 10 to 15 years after having their original breast augmentation. This can be for numerous reasons, including a change in body shape, wanting to change implant size, or experiencing capsular contracture.
Those who are wishing to decrease the size of the implants and want to have a more natural look may wish to have the implants removed and not replaced.
If you do not wish to alter the appearance of your breasts and are not experiencing any medical conditions, you may not need to replace the implants.
Many women will undergo breast implant replacement in order to change the size of the implants.
If you choose to increase the size, more pocket space will need to be made available and the skin and tissue will be more stretched, which may impact the recovery time.
If you choose to decrease the size, you may also wish to undergo a breast lift. This will lift the position of the breasts and avoid any sagging skin occurring.
An implant will either be placed above or below the muscle. In most cases, the implant will be placed in the same pocket as previously. However, if you experienced any capsular contracture, or you wish to have a different look with the implants, you may wish to alter the placement of the implant. This means a new pocket will have to be created by the surgeon before the implant is placed.
In most cases, the surgeon will make the incision in the same position as your previous surgery. This means you will have no new scars.
However, if you also opt to have a breast lift, you will have new scars. This scar is known as a ‘lollipop scar’, with the scar going around the edge of the areola and vertically down to the crease of the breast. This scar will fade with time, however, it will remain visible.
The recovery period for breast implant exchange will be considerably easier and shorter than that experienced after your initial breast augmentation. This is because the skin and tissue have already been stretched and the pocket for the implant has already been made.
If you have larger implants inserted, or you change the placement of the implant, you may experience a longer recovery period.
You will need to take between one to two weeks off work to fully recover. This will vary depending on personal preference and what type of job you do.
You will find you will be able to complete light activities within a few days of surgery. However, you will need to avoid vigorous physical activity for four to five weeks after surgery.
Why choose us?
Surgeon-led and managed care throughout for a truly personalised approach
Our innovative ClearSleep anaesthesia technique
Comprehensive aftercare programme
Financing options available
Our Consultant Surgeons
Verified Patient Reviews
We searched for many different surgeries to perform my procedure but the center for surgery really stuck out. The staff were incredibly friendly and the receptionist Gregory and surgeon Omar were highly professional, welcoming and made me feel at ease. Would highly recommend to anyone!
Dexter Montgomery
20:14 25 Apr 18
Old implants removed and replaced, plus silicone granules removed from right armpit. My previous surgery was done over 20 years ago. (I never really had any breast tissue, so I had the implants to look normal). One implant had erupted and both had capsulated. I was never told they had a shelf life! When I first arrived at the clinic in Watford, ( I never went to th Harley St surgery) I was quite dubious about the whole set-up. The Surgery is right in the middle of a Business Site and it seemed like some sort of Back Street Butchery. (I hope this review will put people's minds at rest when they first arrive) It actually didn't help much that I had to wait an hour because the surgery that day had overrun, however, after talking to Omar Tillo and seeing how clued up he was on my situation, I began to relax. It didn't stop me going on-line to Google him and everything else about the practice, but it was all good. On the day of the surgery, I met with Mr Tillo again. I also met everyone else who was going to be in theatre with me and they all came to me individually to explain their roll. It was very comforting and reassuring. The surgery was quite lengthy and took several hours. I hadn't decided what size implants to go for pre surgery as my old ones were so distorted and out of place, so I left it with Mr Tillo to make the decision once the others had been removed. It is now 3 weeks since the implants were replaced and I am delighted with how I look and feel. The size and shape are perfect for me. Nothing weird or huge; I'm on the wrong side of 50 now so am not looking for glamour, just normality. The post surgery is superb. My coordinator, Naz, is very efficient and can't do enough for me. The incision in my armpit where the silicone particles had to be removed is probably the most uncomfortable part of the whole procedure, but most of you won't have to worry about that. I got a sick note for work purposes without any fuss at all, so over all; worth every penny! Don't let your first impressions put you off :-) Good luck.
Nina
14:43 02 Jun 18
Had a BA and uplift with Mr Tillo amazing MR Tillo knew what I wanted the staff where so lovely and looked after me the after care is excellent I would definitely recommend centre for surgery and would go again I’m so pleased thank you so much
Dee Catton
10:09 15 May 18
If you don't know about Omar tillo you should HES AMAZING at his job.. I went for bbl and at present I'm 9 days post op and loving my results. I must also review gregory .. my co ordinator .. Gregory your one of the most wonderful people out there you hsve gone above and beyond for me to make sure The dates the times were right just for me .. this is an AMAZING company with AMAZING staff.. so much so I'm going for a consultation in 8 weeks for breast surgery ...
Bryanna buswell
11:39 23 May 18
Highly recommend. Very professional and friendly staff.Had my BA and everything went smooth and good. I would choose this place over and over again for all the plastic surgeries.
Melania Ciurea
13:45 13 Mar 18
I had a tummy tuck 2 weeks and 4 days ago. It is something I had been considering for a whilst now that I have completed my family. Also the excess skin and fat was getting me down. I went to another consultation in Harley Street which was 15 mins where the Dr examined me and told me he could do the work and his secretary than called me with the price, it was very rushed. I found Dr Tillo searching the net and after reading his reviews I called his office and spoke with Naz, she was very friendly, explained their procedures and arranged an appointment for me to meet with him. I met Dr Tillo in his Watford clinic, I felt at ease with him straight away. Dr Tillo examined me and than explained what the procedure would involve. I had a few questions and he was very patient and explained everything fully and clearly, I never felt rushed at all.On the day of my operation I was excited. Dr Tillo’s staff were All lovely and so was the anethesist who explained everything and next thing I knew I was asleep. When I woke up it didn’t even feel as if though I had had an operation! My husband picked me up , I was given pain killers and it was explained that I would need to keep my compression belt on and drains would be removed after two days.I went home a very happy lady!!!As days have passed I have healed very well with no complications, I am so pleased with my new tummy, I know it’s good esp since my 3 year old doesn’t think there’s a baby in there anymore!I cannot Thank Dr Tillo and his staff enough!!
Hanna
17:13 19 Jul 18
Dr Tillo and his team are fantastic. Nothing has been too much for them!!I was told my tummy tuck would cost £17,000 at one clinic and £13,000 at another. It was considerably cheaper here. I'm not one to go for 'the cheaper options usually, as I tend to think you would get a cheaper result. But Dr Tillo pointed out that I didn't need all the work doing that the other places had said I did!! They were using my body to make money! Due to his honesty, and his non judgemental view, I left feeling confident that he was the man I needed.I am only a week out and thrilled to bits with my result so far. I can't recommend them enough.
Rachel Irwin
08:33 16 Aug 18
Very welcoming and professional, Mr Tillo,his team and Nikesh the PA.
Joshua Alexander
12:22 17 Aug 18
Honestly, I was supposed to have a surgery at another private hospital (this hospital was supposed to be one of the best in london) but I chose to get my surgery done at center for surgery instead, my main reason for this was the level of service I recieved, the staff are very professional, they are caring (I had not eaten the entire day on the day of my surgery and one of the nurses got me some food without me asking her to do so. My surgery itself was amazing considering I never had one before and was a bit nervous beforehand. The staff calls you everyday to make sure you are ok and coping post surgery. Honestly I cannot thank the staff enough.
Frazer Gonsalves
23:45 26 Oct 18
