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| Implant Replacement |  As you know breast implants do not last forever. At the same time as most patients with breast implants do well for many years, situations can happen where secondary procedures may be required to help get a more perfect aesthetic appearance. Increased firmness, or capsular contracture, can happen because of modifications in the scar capsule that creates around an implant. In the case of silicone gel implants, such a situation usually entails an evaluation to make sure that the implant has not ruptured. As a rule rupture of a saline implant is more obvious. Procedures to separate or remove the implant capsule may be needed with possible implant removal or replacement.
The good-looking appearance of an enlarged breast depends on the position of the implant comparative to the patient’s own breast tissue. Aesthetic modifications can be caused by a drop of breast tissue comparative to an implant, either from the effect of gravity or capsular changes that may lift up the implant position directly. Rarely breast implants may in the end settle to a position lower than initially intended following initial placement. Change of the breast tissue or implant position may be required.
Aesthetic objectives of a patient may modify with time. A patient may decide that a certain breast size or shape that was important earlier in life may be different from her present goals or wishes. This can be the case in the early or late postoperative periods following breast enhancement.
These are the most common situations that are seen in patients who consider secondary breast procedures. The best answers for a given patient are discussed and performed on a very individual and personal base. There are lots of options to help improve the result for these patients that can include saline or silicone gel implant removal with or without replacement.
The latest in saline and silicone gel implant technology allows plastic surgeons to offer many options to most of these patients, including choice of shape (round or teardrop), projection (moderate or high profile), surface (smooth or textured), and filler material (saline or silicone gels). Breast lift can also play an important role in achieving an optimal aesthetic result in these patients.
As a rule secondary breast enhancement is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient base. Insurance may help cover the price of the procedures in the event that a capsular contracture or implant rupture is present.
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