Replacement of breast implants

Implant surgeons note that there are many reasons to replace breast endoprostheses. Let’s highlight the most frequent ones:

• the main reason is fibrous contracture;
• a woman may want to change the size and shape of her breasts;
• the implant is damaged in an accident, road accident, impact;
• the patient has first-generation implants, a planned replacement is required;
• endoprostheses were deformed, displaced, rotation occurred.

Doctors in Ukraine agree: if the endoprosthesis does not bother you and completely suits you, then you do not need to change it.

• Formation of a thick fibrous capsule that squeezes the implants (formed in 1-5 years).
• Prosthetic infection - detected during the rehabilitation period.
• Ptosis, sagging breasts with the displacement of the endoprosthesis, asymmetry of the mammary glands (after pregnancy and lactation, age-related changes, because of the large size of the bust).
• Failed primary mammoplasty.
• Synmastia - “sticking” of the mammary glands into one (too large prosthesis was initially chosen).
• Damage to the prosthesis - must be replaced as soon as possible, hazardous to health.

Everything is identical to the primary mammoplasty. The surgeon may postpone the operation of the tests are unsatisfactory. Also, the woman re-undergoes MRI, ultrasound, and mammography of the mammary glands.

On average, the operation takes 2 hours. In difficult cases, the duration can be up to 4 hours. An anesthesiologist is present in the operating room.

• The incisions are made following the traces of the previous operation.
• The surgeon removes the old implants, and the formed fibrous membrane.
• If necessary, the bed is formed for a new prosthesis - it is expanded or sutured.
• The tissues are sutured, bandages are applied.
• If necessary, a drain is installed to drain the liquid.

It must be remembered that re-intervention is more difficult to tolerate. Swelling and bruising are normal.

It is important for the patient to strictly follow all the recommendations of the specialist. Violation of the rehabilitation regimen can cause inflammation and infection.

• Physical activity and sports will have to be left for 6 months.
• The first 2 weeks - bed rest.
• 7 days sleep only on the back, head and shoulders should be raised.
• No water treatments for the first 48 hours, for the next 3 months - just a warm or cool shower.
• A month after the operation - abstain from sex.
• Avoid UV rays throughout the year to prevent the darkening of the scar.

Already after 2 months, the results of the replacement of endoprostheses can be assessed. Complete tissue healing will take 6-12 months.

At the Dobrobut MC clinic, breast implants are replaced at a price that does not exceed most of the offers in the sector. Our advantage is experienced doctors, the use of high-quality implants with a lifetime guarantee, modern operating rooms, and a private hospital.

Do you want to know the cost of examination and the price of replacing breast implants in your case? Call us by phone or leave your contacts in the application form on the clinic’s website - we will invite you for a consultation with a specialist.

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2. Calobrace MB. Elective Implant Removal and Replacement in Asymptomatic Aesthetic Patients with Textured Devices. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021 May 1;147(5S):14S-23S.
3. Swanson, Eric. Evaluating the necessity of capsulectomy in cases of textured breast implant replacement. Annals of Plastic Surgery 85.6 (2020): 691-698.
4. Punjabi A, Wee C, Boas SR, Swanson M, Harvey DJ, Kumar AR. Evaluating the Risk of Breast Implant–related Complications After Cardiothoracic Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019;7(8 Suppl ):19-19. Published 2019 Sep 10.