Breast Implant Removal and Replacement Surgery may be performed for a variety of reasons, such as implant rupture or leak, capsular contracture, drooping, visible rippling, desiring change in size, desiring change from textured to smooth implant, or saline to silicone (or vice versa), or as a maintenance procedure for old implants. It is also an option to remove the implants and not replace them. If scar tissue has hardened around the breast implant, this may also be removed during the procedure.
Dr. Anita will then go over the risks and activity restrictions, and give you time to ask questions. Prior to the surgery, you will fill out consent forms.
Breast implant removal typically involves removing the breast implant through the same incision via which they were placed, and may also involve partial or total capsulectomy (removal of scar tissue), and/or breast lift, depending on the circumstances. If implants are being replaced, the new implants will be inserted via the same incision.
General anesthesia will be administered for this surgery and we recommend that you arrange to have someone drive you to and from the surgery appointment.
Please Note: These are general estimates that may or may not apply to you individually.
We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, cash, and cashier checks. We also work with two third-party financing companies, Care Credit and Alphaeon Credit. You can find more information and apply for credit online using the links below.
During your consultation, Dr. Anita will take time to learn more about your motivations and goals, understand your concerns, and discuss the treatment in detail. She will go through your medical history and perform a physical exam in order to determine the best plan to reach your goals, and make sure you are a good candidate for surgery. Before surgery, you will also have the opportunity to “try on” different implant sizes, and see and feel different silicone and saline implant options.
The day of surgery, Dr. Anita will meet with you in the preoperative area, review the planned procedure and implant sizes, and mark the surgical site. This is also a time for you to go over any additional questions you may have prior to surgery.
After surgery, you will be provided with postoperative care instructions, and instructions for follow-up. Dr. Anita will see you for the first postoperative visit 1-2 days after surgery and place you into a post-surgical bra, with an additional visit the week after for drain removal if appropriate. Additional postoperative visits are typically spaced at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery.
Breast implants are not expected to last a lifetime, and are not considered permanent lifetime devices.
There is no exact number of years that applies to each patient. The general guideline is to expect to change the implants every 10 years. That being said, if a complication were to arise earlier than that, the time would obviously be shorter in that circumstance. On the other hand, if one has no problems with the implants and no desire to change any other aspect of the breasts at 10 years, then they can be left in place longer with appropriate monitoring as directed.
While the general guideline is to expect to change the implants every 10 years, if you are not having any symptoms or issues at 10 years, you can keep saline implants in longer.
In general, one should expect to replace implants approximately every 10 years. The exact amount of time varies according to implant type and individual circumstances.
One should expect to replace implants approximately every 10 years, possibly waiting longer if there are no other issues. They may also last less long if issues do arise, such as leak or rupture or capsular contracture.
While breastfeeding does not ruin implants themselves, it can definitely cause a change in the amount and location of the breast tissue, the laxity or looseness of the skin, and degree of drooping present. All of these may contribute to wanting breast implant revision with or without a lift, but they do not always result in changes that require surgery.
It is normal for breast tissue to change with age and develop more sagging, and breast implants may or may not sag to the same degree. If the implant does not sag and the breast tissue does, then a breast lift can be done without changing the implants (though if they are old, it is a good time to change them). Large, heavy implants can contribute to greater sagging or faster sagging, especially in cases where the skin that has poor elasticity or the implant is out of proportion to the frame and creating extra stress on the body.
The cost for breast implant removal and replacement surgery will depend on many factors, including type of implants, and if you require additional procedures such as breast lift. To provide you with accurate pricing information, we invite you to book a complimentary Pre-Consult Phone Call with our Patient Care Coordinator by calling 310-205-0212. During that phone call, important information will be discussed and ballpark pricing will be provided.