15 Aug 2024 | by Dr. Sean Doherty
A breast implant is a safe, well studied, long-lasting medical device. It is not,
however, a lifetime device. Certain factors such as weight gain/loss, pregnancy and
hormones can adversely affect your skin and tissues, causing the appearance of
your implants to change. They may have moved out of position so that your breasts
no longer look as lifted, youthful and perky. Furthermore, your aesthetic taste may
have also evolved with time. The implants that suited your anatomy, lifestyle and
desired outcome in your 20’s may not work as well in your 40’s. It is important
when considering breast implant revision surgery that you understand your options.
You can replace your old implants with new ones, or you can choose to remove
them altogether. Here are some things to consider.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery in Boston
First things first, when it comes to revision surgery, it is imperative that you book
an in-person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon such as myself
who specializes in breast surgery. Whether you choose to replace your implants or
remove them, this is potentially a more in-depth procedure than your initial breast
augmentation. So, you want to ensure that your surgeon has considerable
experience in breast revision.
When you come in to see me, I will listen closely to what bothers you about your
body contour. If you have been diligent about having an MRI of your breasts every
5 years (to determine rupture in silicone implants), we will go over these results to
ascertain the overall health of the implants themselves. Then, I will conduct a
thorough physical exam to assess:
• Skin tone & texture
• Elasticity of breast tissue
• Degree of sagging, if any
• Nipple position
Together, we will discuss the best revision option for your individual needs.
Breast Implant Replacement vs. Removal
If you are happy with the size and shape of your breasts and you’ve had your
current implants for more than a decade, replacing your old implants with new
ones of the same size could be the best choice. However, most women that I see
have lived a life since they first got their implants and this shows up in their skin
and tissues. If you only have a mild to moderate degree of skin laxity, you may be
able to get away with replacing your old implant with a slightly larger size.
However, anyone with moderate to severe sagging in the breasts is most likely
going to do best with a implant replacement and a breast lift. This is particularly
true as the overall aesthetic trend these days is veering towards smaller breasts.
Also, some women with previously placed saline implants may decide to switch
them out for new silicone gel implants.
Breast implant removal is best for patients who are simply tired of dealing with
their implants. Because your skin and tissues have stretched out over time to
accommodate your implants, I will generally remove the implant and perform a
breast lift in order to deliver the most pleasing shape. All of these options will be
discussed with you in detail during your initial consultation.
To find out more about breast revision surgery, or any other surgical or nonsurgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
