If you are considering getting breast surgery or breast implants, you should know a few things about it. One of them is that you may be required to replace your breast implants when the need arises. Not a lot of people are aware of this, but breast implants require replacement and do not last for a lifetime. Usually, they last for 10 to 20 years but may need to be replaced sooner.
Breast implant replacement, also known as breast revision surgery, removes your current implants and replaces them with a new pair. The new implants can be anything of your choice– smaller, larger, shaped differently, etc. You can choose between saline and silicone implants. Consult with your San Diego plastic surgeon for your breast surgery concerns.
Reasons to replace your breast implants
- Your implants have ruptured.
Both saline and silicone breast implants are safe and FDA-approved. However, it is 100% possible for them to rupture after a certain time. You will know immediately when your saline implants rupture because your breasts will lose volume, usually within one or two days.
When your silicone implants rupture, you may not know immediately as it is not easily visible. That is why it is recommended for women with breast implants to get routine MRIs to ensure their implants are still intact.
- You are experiencing discomfort.
Capsular contracture, a developmental scar tissue around the implants, can cause pain and discomfort. However, there are other reasons why you may experience pain. In some rare cases, it could be the improper placement of the implants, a seroma, damage to the lymph nodes, or something else. Sometimes, doctors do not know the reason.
If you are experiencing continuous pain, do not endure it silently. Go to your doctor and have them removed, if necessary.
- You want to change the size of your implants.
The biggest reason women replace their breast implants is to get bigger ones. When women first get their implants, they are happy with their new appearance and do not wish for change. However, over the course of time, they feel that the size of their breasts could be a bit bigger. When you get smaller or bigger implants, it should be because of your own preferences and lifestyle.
- Your initial breast augmentation results are asymmetrical.
Most women undergoing breast augmentation surgery hope to achieve symmetry in their breast size. Therefore, when it does not happen, it can be frustrating. Sometimes, despite your doctor’s best efforts, your breasts may look uneven due to a preexisting asymmetry. You can undergo another surgery to get it fixed.
If you want to change your breast implants, consult your surgeon today.
