Implant Replacement
Implant revision is necessary to:
- correct symptoms caused by complications of breast augmentation (capsular contracture, implant malposition, implant rupture)
- improve the appearance of the breasts if the original implants had wrinkles or were mispositioned
Some patients prefer to have their implants permanently or temporarily removed, while others choose to have them replaced.
In the case of capsular contracture, the implant is under pressure from the fibrous tissue that forms around it. This initially causes discomfort, followed by pain in the breast. The implant becomes deformed, and the breasts take on an unnatural appearance.
Implants that exhibit capsular contracture or have folds, those that can be felt under the skin, and those that are malpositioned or have shifted can be replaced with others of different sizes (or the same size), different textures, or placed in different pockets, if the doctor deems it necessary.
In the case of capsular contracture, the capsule surrounding the implant is partially or completely removed, meticulous hemostasis is performed, and the implant is replaced with another one placed in the same pocket or in a different one (for example, if the implant was initially placed subglandularly, it may subsequently be placed subpectorally).
Permanent removal of the implants causes the same psychological trauma as a mastectomy. For this reason, implant replacement is preferred.
After implant removal, the breast skin that was stretched by the implant will sag, and a mastopexy may be necessary, which involves additional scarring. Complications that may occur after implant removal or replacement include: bleeding, infections, numbness in the areola-nipple complex, atrophy of the mammary gland, and deformities of the rib cage resulting from pressure exerted by the implants.
Keloid scars occur more frequently in certain areas (anterior chest, back, shoulders, earlobes). People with darker skin tones and children are more prone to developing keloid scars. Keloid scars are quite difficult to treat because they have a very high tendency to recur.
TIPS TO MINIMIZE THE NEED FOR IMPLANT REVISION SURGERY:
- Educate yourself thoroughly about breast augmentation surgery
- Carefully follow all pre- and post-operative instructions
- Have realistic expectations regarding the results
Implant removal is recommended for patients who are dissatisfied with the results of their breast augmentation or when complications arise, such as infections or implant ruptures.
Typically, implant removal surgery takes less time than implant replacement surgery, which requires the removal or modification of the capsule.