Breast implant exchange

Breast implants are an effective way of improving the aesthetic form of the breast and bring a high degree of satisfaction to many. They improve the overall aesthetic, enhance femininity and bring benefits to individuals’ social functioning. Individuals may seek implant exchange due to shifting aesthetic ideals and expectations in order to further heighten their satisfaction with breast augmentation.

Why are implants exchanged?

Implant exchange may be performed for a variety of reasons:

  • Changes in the native breast position, shape or volume with age. This commonly occurs following cessation of breastfeeding or with increasing age, which causes breast volume reduction, ptosis (breast droopiness) and loss of projection. Individuals often opt to switch to anatomical (teardrop-shaped) and larger implants for elevation of the droopy breast
  • Individual desire for a different size, volume and/or different shape
  • Presence of capsular contracture (abnormal scarring around the breast). Capsular contracture may cause hardening and migration of the implant(s) to an unnatural position, therefore, requiring implant exchange
  • Implant rupture
 
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What are the preoperative investigations required?

Prior to breast implant exchange, it is routine to perform routine breast cancer screening with mammography, ultrasound or MRI scan.

Breast Implant Exchange Surgery

Successful breast implant exchange improves one’s overall aesthetic, enhances femininity and bring benefits to individuals’ social functioning. It is an ambulatory procedure performed under intravenous sedation or a short general anesthetic.

Individuals are advised to stop herbal supplements and traditional medicine, and start special medications 7 days prior to surgery to minimize bruising and swelling.

Breast implant exchange may often be performed through the previous incision used for the previous breast augmentation surgery. In patients with capsular contracture or implant rupture, it may be necessary to perform implant exchange through the inframammary fold (IMF) incision. This incision provides good exposure and facilitates complete capsule removal and/or ruptured silicone. The new implant is usually placed within a new pocket at a different depth to prevent recurrence of the capsular contracture. The wound is meticulously closed for optimal postoperative outcomes. Drainage tubes may be inserted to prevent fluid accumulation within the cavity.

Mild bruising and swelling is expected after surgery, which will mostly resolve by the 7th postoperative day. Stitch removal, if required, is usually performed on the 10th postoperative day. Many individuals are able to resume work on the 5th postoperative day.

Showering is normally possible following removal of drainage tubes. Stitch removal is usually not required as self-dissolving stitches are used. Strenuous physical activity is avoided for the first 2 weeks postoperatively. Your regular exercise routines may commence 3 weeks post-surgery.

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Breast Explantation Surgery

Breast explantation alone results in reduction of breast volume and will lead to varying degrees of breast drooping (ptosis). Mastopexy (breasts lift surgery) is then required to elevate the droopy breast and restore it to its youthful and natural position and may be performed at the time of explantation or at a later time. Successful breast explantation and mastopexy recreates a youthful and aesthetic breast form. Breast explantation surgery, with optional mastopexy, is usually performed under intravenous sedation or a short general anesthesia.

Breast explantation may be performed through the previous incision in most cases and no new scar is created. Individuals who desire correction of breast drooping (mastopexy) surgery may require excision of excess loose skin and thus additional incisions. These incisions are well-placed and well-concealed. Breast explantation and mastopexy will restore the breasts to their youthful position, improve breast projection and reduce redundant skin.

Individuals are advised to stop herbal supplements and traditional medicine, and start special medications 7 days prior to surgery to minimize bruising and swelling.

Breast explantation is performed through the previous incisions used for breast augmentation. The implant is removed and the capsule, if present, is then partially or completely removed following explantation. Capsulectomy is performed by meticulously dissecting it away from the surrounding breast gland, pectoralis muscle, as well as chest wall.

In cases where mastopexy is planned, a few common skin incisions may be used:

  • The circumvertical (lollipop) incision. This technique is appropriate for correction of moderate degrees of breast and nipple-areola complex ptosis and horizontal skin excess. The incision is performed around the areola and in a vertical line connecting the bottom of the areola to the IMF
  • The J- or L- incision. This technique is appropriate for correction of moderate degrees of breast and nipple-areola complex ptosis. This incision is similar to the lollipop incision with a slight side extension and is appropriate for the reduction of vertical and horizontal skin excess
  • The inverted T incision. This technique is appropriate for severe breast and nipple-areola complex drooping and permits complete breast gland repositioning and resuspension to the chest wall with sutures

A detailed explanation of mastopexy surgery may be found here.

Individuals requiring mastopexy may require insertion of drainage tubes and these are usually removed in the outpatient clinic on the 1st or 2nd postoperative day. Mild bruising and swelling is expected after surgery, which will mostly resolve by the 7th postoperative day. Many individuals are able to resume work on the 5th postoperative day. Stitch removal is not required as they are self-dissolving.

Showering is normally possible following removal of drainage tubes. Individuals may require compressive dressings to collapse the inner cavity to accelerate wound healing. Strenuous physical activity is avoided for the first 2 weeks postoperatively.

The Picasso Advantage

Dr Yeo is one of the select plastic surgeons in Singapore who is be able to offer the latest nanotextured Motiva breast implants as well as all other brands and types of implants. He is also experienced in structural fat grafting breast augmentation, and is able to offer you the full range of breast augmentation procedures available.

Our clinic has an en suite operating facility that has MOH certification as an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC). This assures your maximal privacy and convenience while keeping facility and equipment costs contained. Our operating room carries a full range of specialized equipment for breast augmentation aimed at delivering results.

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