Replacement of inserts

Why do people replace breast implants?

There are several reasons why patients choose or need to replace their implants. Common reasons can include a desire for larger or smaller implants, changing aesthetic preferences over time, or changes in breast shape after pregnancy and aging.

In some cases, medical factors such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, or leakage can also make implant replacement necessary.

Some patients also choose to replace their implants after many years to refresh the result or adapt it to new desires and circumstances.

During the consultation, both the condition of the implants and the anatomy of the breasts are analyzed to plan the most suitable treatment and create a harmonious and long-lasting result.

Secondary breast surgery

When implants have been in the breasts for a long time, various changes can occur in the tissues.

The skin may have become more stretched, the breast muscle may be shortened or have developed scarring, and the implant pocket may have changed in size. The capsule around the implant can also become thickened, and in some cases, the implant may be damaged or leaking.

These changes mean that implant replacement often requires more advanced surgical planning than an initial breast surgery.

Each situation is unique, and therefore treatment is customized individually to achieve the best possible result and improve both shape and stability.

Simple implant replacement

In some cases, the situation is relatively straightforward. The implant can then be replaced with a new implant of the same size without requiring major changes to the breast pocket.

This often applies to patients who are happy with their breast shape but want to refresh their implants.

Change to larger implants

If the patient desires larger implants, the surgeon often needs to expand the implant pocket.

This can be done by adjusting or opening the capsule around the implant so that the new implant obtains a stable and correct position.

Change to smaller implants

When implants are changed to a smaller size, the skin and tissues can sometimes find it difficult to adapt to the new volume. This can lead to the breasts feeling less firm or to excess skin developing.

In these cases, it may be necessary to adjust the capsule to reduce the size of the implant pocket or to combine the implant replacement with a breast lift to remove excess skin and improve the shape. In certain situations, a breast reduction may also be appropriate, especially if there is a more substantial amount of breast tissue.

The goal is always to create a firm, natural, and harmonious breast shape, even when the size of the implants is reduced.

Treatment of capsular contracture

Around every implant, a thin capsule of scar tissue naturally forms. In some cases, this capsule can become thickened or hard, which is known as capsular contracture.

When this occurs, the surgeon may need to remove all or parts of the capsule, a procedure called a capsulectomy, before a new implant is placed.

A new capsule then naturally forms around the new implant.

Ruptured implants

In some cases, it is discovered that an implant has ruptured. If silicone has leaked, there may be silicone residue in the capsule and sometimes in the surrounding tissue.

In these situations, a thorough cleaning of the area is performed before new implants are placed. In some cases, a temporary drain may be used to facilitate healing.

Changing the implant placement

In certain situations, it can be beneficial to change the placement of the implant. This could involve, for example, moving the implant from behind the breast muscle to in front of the muscle, or vice versa, depending on the quality of the tissues and the desired result.

This change may be relevant if the tissues have changed over time or if there is a desire to improve the stability of the implant and the shape of the breasts. In some cases, this can also be combined with fat grafting to improve the quality of the soft tissue and create a softer and more natural transition.