Breast Implant Exchange Myths
Breast Revision, Wyomissing, PA
Since breast implants are not lifetime devices, it is no surprise that several myths have surfaced about breast revision surgery and breast implant exchange. Whether you desire a different size, correction from a complication, or you simply no longer wish to have your implants, here are some of the most widely believed myths about breast implant exchange, debunked.
Myth 1: I must get my breast implants replaced after ten years.
Many women think that they must have their implants replaced after ten years, when, in fact, ten years is simply the average amount of time that passes before most women have them replaced. After ten years, the patient may have grown dissatisfied with the size she originally chose for her breast implants. Or, she may have gone through pregnancy or breastfeeding and her implants no longer provide the enhanced shape or volume they did when they were first placed.
The risk for developing complications from breast augmentation with implants also increases with time. If ten years have passed, there are no complications, and the patient is still happy with the way her breasts look, most surgeons see no need to replace them.
Myth 2: If I exchange my breast implants for a smaller size, I will have loose skin.
If you decide to replace large implants with smaller ones, there is a chance you will experience excess skin, but this is highly dependent on your unique situation. The most straightforward way for your surgeon to determine the amount of breast sagging is to simulate smaller breasts by deflating the implants. This procedure is done under local anesthetic while the patient is awake. Of course, this can only be done if the initial implants are saline filled. Excess skin may be easier to predict if you are choosing a significantly smaller size than your initial implants. Your surgeon may recommend a breast lift along with implant replacement when this is the case, as a breast lift will eliminate any loose skin.
Myth 3: Two surgeries are required for breast implant exchange.
Many women believe that if they have their implants removed, they must allow their breasts to heal for several months before receiving new implants in a secondary surgery. The majority of the time, breast implant exchange can be performed during one procedure, but this is dependent on the patient’s unique circumstances. If there is a significant amount of aesthetic correction to be made (e.g., the nipple must be adjusted significantly, or a breast lift must be performed), two surgeries may provide the best results. Two surgeries may likely be advised if the reason for implant replacement is due to an infection.
Myth 4: My breasts will look deflated if I choose to remove and not replace my implants.
If you have your implants removed but not replaced, you may experience sagging skin or other undesirable cosmetic changes to your natural breasts such as dimpling, wrinkling, puckering, or breast tissue loss. These issues can be avoided by combining breast implant removal with a breast lift. Dr. Schlechter also performs breast augmentation with fat transfer to provide natural-looking augmented breasts without the use of implants.
Dr. Benjamin Schlechter has been performing secondary breast augmentation for more than 20 years at his practice in Wyomissing, PA. If you are interested in this procedure, please schedule a consultation at Spring Ridge Plastic Surgery by calling (610) 678-9200 to schedule your appointment.
