Breast Implant Replacement

The quality of modern breast implants has improved enormously over the last 20 years. Saline breast implants have been superseded by silicone breast implants and there is now a very large range of natural feeling silicone breasts to enable women to have very natural looking breast augmentation results to give them back their confidence. With the older implants which many women still have, there is now a growing trend to have them replaced with the more advanced breast implants with implant exchange or implant replacement.

Breast implant exchange is a great option for those women who prefer to optimise the results from their previous breast augmentation which they may have had over 15 years ago. You can have the size of your breasts increased or decreased in size by choosing an appropriately sized implant. At Centre for Surgery, our surgeons specialised in breast implant exchange for patients in London and the UK more widely. Many patients also travel to us from overseas.

At Centre for Surgery, our plastic surgeons have years of experience in carrying out many breast implant replacement procedures in London. The options are many and varied, whether its an increase or decrease or even change in shape with a breast lift – we’ve got you fully covered.

The surgeon design a bespoke treatment plan based on a full medical history and a thorough physical examination. The objective to to create natural and beautiful results which lead to an increase in confidence and self-esteem. Patients who would like to find out more can book a consultation with one of our expert surgeons. At the consultation, your surgeon will discuss with you at depth, all the possible treatment options and will advise you of the most appropriate option after taking into account your needs and preferences.

Centre for Surgery are unique in that both of our surgeons are dedicated breast and body specialists – they do not perform any other type of surgery.

After taking your medical history, the surgeon will typically questions like:

• When did you have your first breast augmentation?
• Do you prefer an increase or decrease in implant size?

The consultation is a perfect opportunity to ask any questions you may have and it may be a good idea to have these prepared in advance so that you do not forget during the consultation.

READ PATIENT TESTIMONIAL – Dee’s story

• Ability to increase or decrease the size of your breasts depending on your preferences
• Better placement of breast implants with a more natural appearance
• Addressing breast changes that occur with pregnancy and weight loss or gain.
• An increase in confidence and subsequent improvement in quality of life

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.

The consultation is the foundation of good clinical care at Centre for Surgery. It is the ideal time to ask all questions you may have about the procedure in order to make a fully informed decision on the breast implant replacement procedure. The consultation serves a function on providing you with the education and understanding to move forward with confidence.

Questions you may wish to ask:

• Am I suitable for the procedure?
• Do I have realistic expectations?
• Will one procedure be sufficient or will I require a staged treatment?
• Do you have before and afters I can view of similar patients?
• What is the recovery like and what do I need to do to optimise patient recovery?
• Will I be supported in the aftercare period by your nursing team?
• What is the level of bruising, swelling or scarring that can be expected with breast implant replacement?
• If I am not satisfied with the results, what are my options moving forward?

Although implant replacement is required for implants that have reached the end of their lifespan, some implant replacements have become sadly necessary for implants that were made of defective materials such as PIP implants. PIP implants were used by the larger cosmetic surgery chains as they were cheap and helped to cut costs and increase profits at the expense of patient safety.

Centre for Surgery have never used PIP implants and are only one of a handful of UK providers not to have used them. Other providers have cut  corners in the provision of high quality patient care and in doing so they have put patients lives at risk. For patients desiring breast implant replacement, we have built up a solid reputation in catering to the needs of women who have been badly let down by the commercial-focused cosmetic surgery groups. If you have been experiencing symptoms from your breast implants and you suspect them to be lower grade PIP implants then we would advise you get in touch to learn about the treatment options available.

For all our patients who have had breast implant surgery at Centre for Surgery, you can be reassured that the implants which our surgeons are only of the highest quality and have undergone rigorous safety testing.

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.

Why would I need implant exchange surgery?

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

The effects of smoking on healing after surgery

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.

At Centre for Surgery, our surgeons strongly believe that the success of any cosmetic surgery procedure including breast implant exchange surgery is optimised with following all of the surgeon’s pre-procedure instructions. We always strive to go above and beyond to make sure all our patients are optimally prepared for breast lift surgery – physically, mentally and emotionally.

How to prepare for cosmetic surgery

Our specialist plastic surgeons will design a bespoke treatment plan for you prior to your procedure.

The breast implant replacement surgery will take place under a general anaesthetic – Centre for Surgery use TIVA anaesthesia. You will be asleep throughout the procedure to ensure your comfort. The procedure is performed as outpatient which means you will get to go home the same day and recover in the comfort of your own home.

Day case breast surgery in London

Breast implant exchange is similar to a primary breast augmentation surgery. 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.

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.

With all surgical procedures, there is always an element of risk and breast implant replacement is no different. Centre for Surgery have some of the very best plastic surgeons who specialise specifically in aesthetic breast surgery to optimise results and minimise risk. It always highly recommended to follow the postoperative instructions to ensure optimal healing.

It is common to experience the following side-effects:

• bruising and swelling
• temporary numbness
• a small amount of scarring

Potential complications of breast implant replacement

• Anaesthetic risks
• Bleeding
• Surgical site infection – Reducing the risk of surgical site infection
• Delayed wound healing
• Hyperpigmented skin
• Collections of fluid under the skin
• Tingling or numbness of the area around the incision
• Breast asymmetry
• Capsular contracture
• Implant malposition
• Hypertrophic or keloid scar
• Requirement for revision surgery

Top strategies to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism