Breast Implant Exchange

Breast implants should make you feel beautiful and confident—that’s a top priority when performing breast augmentation in Charleston, South Carolina. In fact, the reason you had breast augmentation surgery in the first place was to look and feel your best. Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures worldwide, and most women are tremendously pleased with their results. Still, even the best-planned procedure may not be the end of the journey.

For various reasons, some patients do not achieve their breast enhancement goals the first time. Others who initially enjoyed a positive outcome may later develop undesirable changes or find that they no longer love their implants. Breast implant revision surgery addresses changing preferences or unsatisfactory results from prior breast surgery.

Is It Normal To Need Breast Implant Exchange?

The notion that breast implants must be replaced every 10 years is a myth. If you are happy with their appearance and not experiencing any complications, your implants may remain in place with routine monitoring to ensure there are no invisible issues. Your breast implants can last many years, even well beyond a decade.

However, breast implants are not lifetime medical devices. Your implants may need to be replaced or removed in a secondary procedure. This is true of any breast augmentation for any patient, regardless of age, anatomy, lifestyle, or implant type. Anyone considering breast augmentation should be informed and accept that additional surgery may be required in their lifetime.

Picture Your Results in 3D

At Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery, we offer the state-of-the-art VECTRA® XT 3D imaging system to capture face, breast, and body images to help simulate your surgical outcomes during your consultation.

When To Consider Breast Implant Exchange

Each patient has unique and personal reasons for seeking breast implant revision. Some common aesthetic reasons women request this procedure include:

• Unsatisfactory shape, size, or projection
• Desire to change to a different style of implant
• Breast tissue changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight fluctuations
• Improving the natural look and feel
• Changing lifestyle or aesthetic preferences

Implant revision surgery can also be undertaken for medical reasons, including:

• Capsular contracture
• Ruptured implant
• Rippling, implant malposition, or displacement
• Muscle flexion distortion
• Poor scar healing

Whatever the reason, we approach every breast implant exchange with the same dedication to beautiful, satisfying results.

Crantford, Costa, & UlmOur Expert Surgeons

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Your Breast Implant Exchange Procedure

Breast implant revision is a highly personalized surgery. Some women only need minor adjustments to improve their results, while others require more comprehensive changes. The techniques your surgeon uses will depend on how your initial breast surgery was performed and the aesthetic or medical issues that led you to pursue a revision procedure.

Options may include:

• Implant exchange
• Capsulectomy
• Implant placement change
• Internal pocket adjustment
• Correction of asymmetry
• Correction of a specific deformity

For your comfort and safety, breast implant revision surgery at our Charleston practice is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure will be done precisely and meticulously to restore anatomy as well as possible, create aesthetic improvements, and minimize potential scarring.

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What Is the Recovery Timeline for Breast Implant Exchange?

Recovery from your surgery will most likely be similar to what you experienced following your primary breast augmentation. You can expect some amount of discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the initial stages of healing. You will be advised to wear a special front-closing surgical bra to reduce swelling and support your breasts.

Most patients can resume light activities within a few days. The anticipated time off work is approximately 1 week, depending on the nature of your work. Refrain from strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks post-operatively. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on when you can safely return to your usual activities.

What Results Can Breast Implant Exchange Achieve?

As with the primary breast augmentation, what you see right after revision surgery will not be your final result. Your implants may look too high and feel too firm until the surrounding tissues relax and the implants settle into their final position. Postoperative swelling may also contribute to your breasts appearing overfull initially. Your incision lines will be pink and slightly raised, but they will fade and flatten with time. 

In most cases, patients can enjoy the full benefits of their new figure within 3 to 6 months. Scars can continue maturing for up to 12 months. Once your final results have emerged, they can last for many years.

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