Breast Implant Removal and Replacement is a procedure performed to remove and replace breast implants. This can be done for many reasons. If your breast implants have been in place for a long time or you have a concern, implant replacement surgery may be a suitable option for you. It’s also a time when you can remove and change the size of your breast implants if you’re not satisfied with the size, shape, texture, or position of your current breast implants and want to change to new breast implants.
Breast Implant Replacement Surgery
Target area: Size and shape of the breasts
Time off work: 1 – 2 weeks
Total recovery: 6 weeks
Compression garment: 2 weeks full time wear, 6 weeks total
Scar position: Generally, along the fold beneath the breast
Why You May Require Breast Implant Replacement
- Replace old breast implants
- Replace due to rippling breast implants
- Remove a ruptured implant
- Remove due to symmastia
- Change the size, shape or texture of the implant
- Improve breast distortion caused by implant movement over time
- Improve Breast Implant Illness symptoms
Breast Implant Replacement Options
Breast Implant Replacement Benefits
There are many benefits when it comes to breast implant replacement surgery, these may include: Smaller implants to improve posture and relieve back, neck and shoulder pain caused by heavy implants. If your breasts are a different size or shape, replacing your implants may create symmetry. Removal of textured breast implants and their capsules can reduce the risk of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a type of cancer associated with capsules of textured breast implants, and the potential risk of developing breast implant illness. Breast implant replacement may attract Medicare and health insurance rebates if it is deemed medically necessary.
Replacing Different Types of Breast Implants
You can choose to replace old breast implants with a modern breast implant. Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle can assist you with your decision with a surgical recommendation within your surgery consultation, allowing you to have more information.
Textured Breast Implants
In the past, textured implants were used as they were able to grip and stay firmly within the surrounding breast pocket, making them similar to an anatomical breast shape. Textured implants are more likely to wrinkle and warp and are quite difficult to remove during revision surgery, as they can become attached to the surrounding tissue. Studies have shown that patients with textured breast implants face a higher risk of a rare form of cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Although, textured implants were originally designed to prevent capsular contracture, it is now clear that capsules form readily around textured implants. Due to this, Dr Doyle now chooses to only implant using smooth breast implants. Some patients are enquiring to remove their old textured implants and replace them with new, smooth breast implants.
Smooth Breast Implants
Smooth breast implants usually have a thinner shell, which means they can move more easily in the breast pocket. They are commonly used to replace textured implants in cases where the textured implant has wrinkled or warped. Smoother implants have less risk when compared to textured breast implants and also have less risk of rippling. There is also no current evidence that patients with smooth implants are associated with having BIA-ALCL.
Am I A Suitable Candidate for Breast Implant Replacement?
Breast shape changes for many reasons. Over time, gravity, pregnancy and fluctuating weight can have effects on the shape of women’s breasts. Because implants increase the weight of the breasts, these changes can be more pronounced in women who’ve previously undergone breast augmentation surgery.
Changes such as loose and excess skin can be surgically corrected with breast implant removal and replacement surgery, or sometimes with a breast implant removal and breast lift. Book a surgery consultation and speak to Gold Coast Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Doyle about your concerns today. Then, you can both determine a preferred surgery plan.
You may be a suitable candidate for breast replacement surgery if you:
- Wish to increase or decrease the weight and volume of your breast implants
- Want to change your current breast implants
- Have one or more ruptured implants
- Wish to replace old breast implants
- Want to change your breast shape and size
- Believe your implants have moved position and are too close together (Symmastia) or too far apart
- Have loose, excess breast skin due to heavy breast implants
- Have breast implant complications, such as an infection, capsular contracture, asymmetry, displacement or leaking silicone.
- Suffer from breast implant illness
Gold Coast Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle always conducts a preliminary examination to advise you on the best course of action and surgical plan. This procedure may be subject to Medicare and health insurance rebates.
Breast Implant Replacement Before and After Photos
Disclaimer: All information on the Gold Coast Plastic Surgery website is general in nature and is not intended to be medical advice, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Results can vary significantly and depend on individual patient circumstances. Please be aware that the outcomes shown are specific to those patients and may not necessarily reflect the results others may experience. Individual results can vary due to many factors, including genetics, diet, and exercise. All images on this website, unless specified as real patient images, are graphics used for illustrative purposes only. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your surgeon. Book a consultation for details regarding your cosmetic surgery procedure.
Breast Implant Remplacement Gold Coast
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Breast Replacement Surgery: Procedure and Recovery
The en bloc breast implant removal technique is one that Dr Doyle specialises in. This technique involves removing the breast implant and its surrounding scar tissue (capsule) in one piece. Removing the breast capsule and implant together reduces the risk of any fluid or silicone surrounding the implant from leaking into your breast tissue. Dr Doyle is experienced at performing en bloc breast implant removal and can discuss your suitability for this technique.
“My preference is to remove implants in an ‘en bloc’ type of procedure where suitable, as it limits the patient’s exposure to the implants, their surface and potential silicone exposure if their implants are ruptured,” says Dr Mark Doyle.
After removing old breast implants and capsules, Gold Coast Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Doyle will generally replace them with new breast implants or perform a breast lift. This can involve changing the position of the implants from on top of the muscle to beneath the muscle or vice versa. From here, internal sutures are often used to help shape the breasts and hold the new breast implants in place.
“I have a strong commitment to maintaining sterility at all times. I always change my surgical gloves any time I am handling a new breast implant to minimise the risk of contamination,” says Dr Mark.
How Long Is Recovery After Breast Implant Replacement Surgery?
Most patients leave the hospital on the day of their surgery. For the first 2 to 3 weeks, you should take it easy, with no exercise or heavy activity. After this time, you should be capable of returning to work. However, we recommend you consider another 3 weeks (6 weeks in total) for breast implant removal and replacement recovery, before recommencing exercise.
Breast Implant Replacement Cost
Breast implant removal and replacement prices vary based on factors such as the specific procedure, the type of implants chosen, the surgeon’s expertise, and the geographic location of the hospital, with the starting price from $21,167. It’s recommended to consult with a Dr Mark Doyle to receive an accurate price estimate tailored to your unique anatomy and circumstances.
FAQ
What Happens to Breasts When Implants Are Removed?
Generally, breast removal and implant replacement surgery will take place during one surgery. However, in some instances, patients may need two separate surgeries. If an infection is one of the reasons you want to remove your breast implants, then you will need to wait a month or two before breast replacement surgery. Some patients even use this time to see how they would feel with a smaller bust.
Also, if your breasts have excess skin or the nipples are pointing downwards, a breast implant removal and breast lift may be recommended by Dr Doyle.
Does Medicare Cover Ruptured Breast Implant Removal?
Health insurance may cover the cost of breast implant removal surgery when it meets the policy’s criteria for medical necessity. Implant rupture symptoms can include leaking silicone or severe capsular contracture that causes breast pain. Breast implant replacement procedures may only attract a small Medicare rebate if the removal alone would cause a medically deemed unacceptable deformity.
What Are Breast Implant Replacement Surgery Complications?
Like any major surgery, breast implant replacement surgery poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anaesthesia.
- Noticeable scars
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation (temporary or permanent)
- Rippling of the skin over the implant
- Seroma (fluid accumulation under the skin or around the implant)
- Capsular contracture
- Implant leakage or rupture
- Development of capsular contracture
- Breast implant rupture
- Implant malposition or movement
- Development of breast implant illness symptoms
Book a Consultation
If you believe you are a candidate for Breast Implant Replacement surgery, book your appointment by calling us on 07 5598 0988.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing breast, body, face and nose surgery. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.
