Breast Implant Replacement After Surgeon Retired - What Info Do I Need?

Hi there-

Because I do a great deal of Breast Implant Revision surgery, I come across your problem often...Ideally, we would be able to obtain the records of your implants from your surgeon's office, the facility the procedure was performed in, or the manufacturer of the implants.

In many cases, this is not possible.

With a careful examination, the critical factors can be understood even in the abscence of these records.

The most important thing to realize here is that we as plastic surgeons are NOT all created equal, nor is our training, experience, and practice style....

You need to find a surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery who has a LOT of experience doing complicated and revision breast surgery and can show you lots of photos of beautiful outcomes.

In cases like yours, I believe 99% of surgeons could successfully complete the operation you need, but only a much smaller fraction could reliably achieve beautiful breasts that were consistent with your goal.

Please choose carefully.

For help finding a surgeon you like and can trust, read this:

It would be preferable to obtain a copy of your medical records. You have a few options. If the surgery was performed at a hospital, you may be able to get the records through the medical records department. If you can recall the manufacturer and in 1996 there were essentially only two: McGhan (=Inamed = Allergan) and Mentor  (now J&J), you may be able to call and see if they have any record of your implants. Sometimes neighboring practices take over the records and I would call around to local practices to ask. They may have some knowledge about who may have your records.
Ultimately, although it is helpful, it is not crucial. You need to review your goals prior to scheduling a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon:

Do you want to be bigger/smaller?
Do you want to remove them altogether?
Do you want saline or silicone?
Do you want to correct the mild nipple asymmetry with a crescent lift on the right?