Breast Implant Exchange And Removal

Breast implant exchange or replacement and breast implant removal are the two cosmetic surgery options available to women who may seek breast implant revision following their primary breast augmentation. 

The surgeon will assess the reasons why the patient wants a revision surgery, and evaluate the condition of breast tissue and implants before recommending the most appropriate solution.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) provides breast implant exchange and removal surgery to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding locations.

Need for Breast Revision 

Breast implant exchange or removal may become a medical necessity when complications arise with the existing implants. Some women may want a revision because they are dissatisfied with their current breast augmentation results or have a change in their aesthetic preferences. 

Patients should be aware at the time of their primary breast implant surgery that at some point in the future the implants may have to be replaced or removed. While implants can often last for one to two decades, most women will need to go through breast implant exchange or removal within their lifetime. 

Saline Breast Implant Removal

During the saline breast implant removal plastic surgery, the surgeon may decide to deflate the implant before removing it. Saline solution is harmless for the body, and once the implant is deflated it can be removed more easily with a smaller incision. 

If the breast tissue has become overly stretched and the nipples are pointing downward, the surgeon may have to perform a breast lift surgery in conjunction with breast implant removal. This will restore a firmer and more natural looking breast appearance. 

Silicone Breast Implant Removal

If the original silicone breast implants have suffered a rupture, damage or capsular contracture, the surgeon’s goal will be to remove the implants in such a way that the silicone gel does not leak out to other areas in the body.

Depending on the situation, the surgeon may either perform an en bloc capsulectomy (removal of the implant and the breast capsule as one unit), or traditional capsulectomy (the implant is removed first, and then the capsular tissue is removed). Breast lift surgery may also be performed in case of silicone breast implant removal, in a similar way as saline implant removal. 

Breast Implant Exchange or Replacement

Breast implant exchange surgery is similar to the primary breast augmentation in the sense that it involves the placement of a new implant in the breast tissue. The goal of the surgeon will be to use the existing incisions to remove the old or damaged implants and replace them with new ones. 

If the patient has chosen the same size of implants as before, the surgeon may place the new implants in the original breast pocket, provided it is in a healthy state. If, however, the new implant size is increased or decreased, the surgeon may have to create a revised breast pocket and place the new implants in a different position than before. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt receives patients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and nearby areas for breast implant exchange and removal surgery.

To learn more about the plastic surgery treatments and procedures performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) please contact us at 760-324-2660. To learn more about Dr. Q’s Medical Spa please visit drqmedicalspa.com

Dr. Q receives patients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and other suburbs and towns in this part of California.