Implant Revision Exchange

Our staff surgeons have performed thousands of breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction surgeries of all kinds with beautiful results and happy patients. We have four locations in Chicago’s Gold Coast, Oak Brook, Arlington Heights, and Naperville

Breast implant exchange can be simple or a complicated, multi-step surgical procedure depending  on the intention of the end result

• Surgical removal and replacement of deflated saline implants of one or both breasts
• Exchanging breast implants to replace with larger or smaller implants for aesthetic reasons
• Removal of torn, old silicone gel implants
• Removal of excess hardened capsule around the previous breast implant and  replacement of the old breast implant by in a new  state-of-the-art breast implant
• Replacing a saline implant with a silicone implant, or vice versa
• Correcting uneven or asymmetrical appearance of breast or malposition of implants

There are two ways saline (salt water) may leak out of your implants. The most common is leakage through the valve in your implant, through which the saline fill tube was inserted to fill your implants during surgery. With passage of time the valve becomes incompetent and slowly allows saline to escape. The other is rare chance of being punctured by sharp penetrating object, such as a needle or another impediment. Not to worry, though. Salt water is completely harmless and will be naturally filtered out of your body by your kidneys.

No one knows the answer. Breast implants will not last a lifetime. However, I’ve seen patients return to my office 25 years later with their implants still perfectly intact. The implant manufacturers (Allergan or Mentor) offer lifetime replacement warranties and up to $2400 toward implant replacement surgery if the implant leaks within 10 years after initial surgery.

If it happens, don’t wait longer than two weeks. Change them right away to prevent scar tissue formation and deformity.

This is a term used with silicone gel implants. Do not fear a rupture. Implants do not explode. If they do rupture, it’s normally only a miniscule tear or rip. And today’s silicone implants are cohesive, which means very little, if any, gel spills out of the tear. Think about tearing gummy candy in half. Nothing leaks out, right? Same with the modern day gel implants.

Once is the rupture is diagnosed and verified by ultrasound or MRI,  expeditiously remove the entire implant and all the leaked out silicone gel via surgical intervention.

It is a term used when one or both breasts start to feel hard. This hardening is caused by the body’s natural reaction to a foreign object. The body sometimes creates a layer around the implant, which causes the hardening. This can be tougher to diagnose in saline implants, because they are naturally harder than silicone.

Surgical intervention is required. We will, in most cases, remove the entire implant and replace it with new implant.

Yes, but with varied forms of success. An anti-inflammatory medication treatment combined with Cellupulse treatment sessions are initiated. In some cases, the repetitive pulses to the breast capsule seems promising in breaking the hard capsule and soften the capsule hardness. It is worth giving it a chance but it is best to start early. In our practice we recommend FBD and Mega Omega Tm, a mixture of  antioxidant and omega 3.

We advise that you first decide to choose surgery or nonsurgical approach. Then start the treatment of the contracture within the next two weeks. Start anti-inflammatory medication immediately, regardless of the chosen approach.

Those who desire to change of the size of their present breast implants

Surgically

1 hour.

General anesthesia or intravenous Sedation with local,

Usually surgical procedures are done only once

Unless the initial surgery is from the bellybutton or the armpit,  we almost always choose the present existing incision to avoid a second incision

Breast implants are expected to last more than 10 years, and in many cases much longer than that.

Normally only one to two days.

Single, in office safe procedure that replaces old deflated, hardened breast implants for newer softer breast implants.

The goal of breast implant revision surgery is to enhance and alter size of breast implants.

Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If there are recent or present health issues that prevent surgery, or on surgically forbidden medications as blood thinners or immune-compromising drugs.

Normally after one or two days, with the exception of lifting anything over 10 pounds. Usually wait about two weeks for heavy lifting.

As with most breast surgery, discomfort, bruising, and swelling are common and transient.

It starts at $1500, depending of type of implant and procedure, and may be up to $7500

Free consultations are available at four convenient Chicagoland locations.

We only use the best implant from Natrelle ™ by Allergan Corporation and Mentor corporation.  All our implants are FDA approved and manufactured in the USA. We never use tissue expanders as breast implants, which is a dangerous and devious tactic some surgeons use.

In one of our private and safe surgical facilities. The implants are removed and exchanged for desired size and newer type of implants.

You must be in good general health and avoid all medications that predisposes you to bleeding, such as aspirin or blood thinners. A general physical examination and a detailed breast examination is necessary. At times, a mammogram or an MRI may be needed. Alcohol drinking and smoking may contribute to bleeding and delayed healing. If high blood pressure or diabetes exist they must be under proper medication control.

Rest, no exertion. Sleep with the head elevated for few days. No aspirin. No smoking. Keep the breast incision clean. If you are prescribed any medications, such as antibiotics or muscle relaxants, please follow all physicians’ advice. Avoid touching and rubbing of the incisions.