Most people who undergo breast augmentation and receive breast implants are happy with the results of their surgery and do not need to exchange or replace their implants. However, there are certain cases in which the patient will need to remove and exchange their implants for medical, legal, or symptomatic reasons.
If you need to remove and exchange your breast implants for any reason, our dedicated, board-certified surgeons at The Vu Center are here to help! We offer an extensive selection of plastic and cosmetic surgery options, including breast augmentation and breast implant exchange and removal if necessary. Continue reading below to learn more about this procedure, and if you have questions or would like to learn more about any of our other cosmetic procedures, contact our Portland plastic surgery clinic today!
Who Is a Candidate?
The goal of a breast implant exchange and removal is to remove a breast implant that was previously inserted during a breast augmentation procedure and replace it with a new implant. There are many different reasons why someone may elect to have this procedure, but in most cases, patients choose this surgery because they are unhappy with the appearance of their breasts and want to improve the appearance, or they want to update the type of implant they originally chose. Good candidates for this procedure include those who are:
- Unhappy with the size, appearance, or shape of their breast implants
- Concerned with the condition or integrity of their implants
- Physically healthy
- Nonsmokers
We also look for patients who have realistic expectations for what to expect from this procedure, as results may vary from patient to patient.
Because the goal of a breast implant exchange and removal is to improve the appearance of the breast, your surgeon may suggest combining this procedure with a breast lift or reduction to help give the breast a better shape.
Preparing for the Procedure
The first step when preparing for any surgical procedure is to schedule a consultation with your doctor. During your consultation, your surgeon will assess your existing breast implants and discuss your goals and desires for your upcoming procedure. If there are any other procedures that can help you achieve the results you would like, your surgeon will also take some time to discuss those options. You can also use time during the consultation to ask your surgeon any questions you may have about the procedure. At The Vu Center, we want all of our patients to feel completely comfortable before going into surgery, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask them during the consultation or give us a call!
After the consultation, your surgeon will schedule an appointment for the procedure and provide you with a list of pre-op instructions. These instructions may require you to schedule an appointment for lab testing or a medical exam, to stop smoking, or to stop taking any medications that may interfere with the procedure. If you have questions about the instructions, be sure to ask your surgeon or contact our office.
During the Procedure
When you arrive for your procedure, your doctor will discuss any last-minute details and you will receive any necessary medications from a nurse. During the procedure, you will receive either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation — your doctor will recommend the best option for you.
The next step of the procedure is to make the incision. Where your surgeon makes the incision will largely depend on any additional procedures being performed on top of the breast implant exchange and removal. If there are no additional procedures being performed, then your surgeon may make the incision along the original incision scar to avoid any additional scarring. Depending on your situation, there are three types of incisions your surgeon can make:
- Breast lift incision
- Peri-areolar incision
- Inframammary incision
During your consultation, your doctor will discuss his surgical plan and go over the type of incision they plan to use.
After making the incision, the surgeon will remove the old breast implant, make any necessary changes you previously discussed, insert the new breast implant, and close the incision.
After the Procedure
After your breast implant exchange and removal procedure, you will not be able to see the final results, as your breasts may experience significant swelling. Final results are seen at least six weeks following your procedure. However, depending on the patient, it may take longer.
During that time, you will need to follow a set of post-op instructions provided by your surgeon. It is vital that you follow these instructions very carefully, as they are there to ensure that your body and your incisions heal properly. It’s common for your surgeon to apply gauze dressings or bandages to your incisions following your procedure. Some patients may also need a support bra or garment to help with the swelling.
Because the procedure is performed using sedation or anesthesia, you will need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home following your procedure. If you live alone, it is also recommended that you have someone at home to help take care of you the first day or two after your surgery.
If you have any questions regarding your post-op instructions, please ask your surgeon before you leave or contact The Vu Center and speak to a member of our staff.
Schedule Your Consultation!
If you are interested in a breast implant exchange and removal procedure, The Vu Center in Portland is here to help. Our board-certified surgeons are always happy to help you look and feel your best. Explore our website to learn more about the plastic and cosmetic procedures we offer, and give us a call to schedule a consultation.
We look forward to seeing you!
Learn More at The Vu Center!
If you are interested in learning more about a breast augmentation, or you want to find out if this cosmetic procedure is right for you, our board-certified surgeons at The Vu Center are here to help! We offer a variety of plastic and cosmetic surgery options to help you love the body you’re in. Explore our website to learn more and contact our Portland plastic surgery clinic to schedule a consultation.
We look forward to helping you!