Breast Implant Revision: Q&A

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

I had implants about 14 years ago. One of them is starting to change shape, and they look less natural than before, and a little harder. The doctor has retired and no one has taken over his practice. I was a small B cup before. My body shape has changed so much over the last 14 years. I also thought that the implants were saline and that they were placed under the muscle. The scars are under my breasts in the crease. But I don't know anything for sure. How can I proceed?

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21 Doctor Answers | Asked by toppa in Out of state

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Implant exchanges with no records

It is commonly the case that a patient needs surgery and their records are not available. An experienced surgeon can measure you and eyeball your result and have a range of implants available to use once the old ones are out. You need pocket revision on your right side and it would be wise to start with 2 new implants.

Need Revisionary Breast Surgery

It is nice to have previous surgical information but it is not necessary. Go see a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience with revisionary breast surgery and most likely they can discuss options with you even without your previous surgical information.

Breast Revision Surgery When Surgeon has Retired

From looking at the photo and reading your description you most likely have a capsular contracture which is changing the shape of your breast and making it harder. What I recommend is to find a board-certified plastic surgeon in your community and go in for a consultation. You may even want to get several opinions. The key is to feel comfortable with your surgeon as you want a good long term relationship in case you need more surgery down the line. Hope that helps and good luck! Dr.... more

Information necessary to change your breast implants

When receiving a breast implant exchange by another plastic surgeon, ideally you should have the operative report of the original plastic surgeon as well as the model and serial number of your implants. At the time of your original breast augmentation, you should have received a card that listed the model number and serial number of your implants. If it is still available you should contact your original plastic surgeon and see if you can obtain an operative report of this surgery.... more

Further breast implant surgery

It si always helpful to have the prior surgeon's notes if that is possible. Most likely at 14 years they are not available. Find a good plastic surgeon who will do a thorough exam and review the options with you.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Retired surgeon

Hi, Thank you for your question. It would be best if you could get the operative report with all of you information about the procedure on it or if you still have the stickers from the manufacturer of the implants. This will give you the size and type of implant. You can also contact the two breast implant. Most states only require physicians to keep medical records for 10 years so this may be a little difficult. If you can't remember and can’t get the information, be sure to choose... more

Breast Implant Revision after prior surgeon's retirement

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 more

Revision after breast implants.

Hi. If your original breast implants were done in the hospital, the records are available. If they were done in the doctor's office, probably not. But an expert plastic surgeon with an inventory of breast implants available in his operating room can take care of you without the records.

Getting records for implant exchange

From what you described, it sounds like you are developing scar tissue around your implants making them change shape and become hard (called capsular contraction). If you implants are saline that is the most likely contracture. If you have silicone implants that maybe one has leaked. Nevertheless, you would need and implant exchange and most likely a capsulectomy (scar tissue removal). It would be great if you have records, but if you don't this would not change your surgery. A... more

Breast augmentation replacement

If you can obtain your old records, this will be very helpful for the next surgeon involved in your care. If not, you could also try calling the implant companies, Allergan and Mentor, to see if they have your implant information on file. They generally do not record information for women with saline implants, but all silicone implants have been tracked using the patient's social security number. Finally, you should have been given a small card with your implant information on it at... more

Breast implant replacement after surgeon retired

Great question. I would try to obtain ANY records from the previous surgery. If that is not possible than you need a 'leap of faith' and chose another, younger plastic surgeon to take over your care. Regards from MIAMI

Getting information for breast implant replacement

Ideally you would know the style and size of the implant and if the implant is under or over the muscle. If you do not know checking with the custodian of the medical records would help, in Texas even after a doctor retires the record has to be retained somewhere for at least 7 years after the last patient encounter. If the is no record one of the manufacturers of the implants may have your name. Getting good measurements at the time of your evaluation will go a long way towards... more

Obtaining records from retired surgeon

This is a not uncommon problem. If your surgery was performed somewhere other than the doctor's office, you may be able to obtain the records from the facility. Many doctors maintain their records for a period of time after they retire. You can attempt to contact your previous surgeon directly or contact the local medical society which might also be of assistance to you.

How you can replace breast implants from a retired surgeon

It might seem a surprise you, but very frequently in the Chicago area we see patients who had breast augmentation 14 or even 20 years ago and come in with questions about implant replacement and have no records concerning what implant they have, and the surgeon is retired or the practice is closed. The retention of these records varies by state and is generally in the range of 7 to 10 years. All patients we augment are given a booklet describing the implant and warranty, and a card with the... more

Retired surgeon after breast augmentation

If you can get the implant information (size, shape, fill, surface type, etc.), that would be great. If you can't get this information, just go to a board certified plastic surgeon with experience and you should be fine.

Breast implant remove and replace

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... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation secondary surgery without previous surgical information

In a perfect world, it would be great to have the data: Previous operative report, implant registration with manufacturer, type, style, and size/fill of implant. Unfortunately, we often can not get this information. We need to start with adressing the main concerns of the patient. What do they not like about their previous result - size change, shape, feel, ripples. Based on the changes we need to attempt to correct one can guide you to where you want to be. Choose an experienced board... more

What to do when your plastic surgeon retires and you need something

Hello - I would recommend obtaining your chart from the plastic surgeon who placed your implants. This record will have what kind of implants you have and what size. It will also have the operative notes which are very helpful for the surgeon doing your revision. If you can't get your chart, contact the hospital where your surgery was performed for your records. Finally, if you have the plastic identification card that came with your implants this will also have some helpful information. more

It is OK if there are no records.

Frankly, we would prefer to know the implant size, shape, material and company that was used. However, there are many times that none of these is available. Make sure your surgeon is experienced and has many size implants available for the surgery. If the implant is intact or somewhat intact, there should be markings visible at the time of surgery. Otherwise, there are different methods to estimate the size if the implants need replacement. You should have a good... more

Breast implant revision

From your descriptions, it sounds as if you are developing or have developed some degree of capsular contractrure. This is contracture and tightening of the capsule that surrounds your implant. It can result in breast asymmetry following displacement of the implant. If this continues, you may need a procedure known as capsulectomy and implant exchange.

Breast Augmentation Follow Up

It would be very helpful if you had copies of your surgeon's operative report (the note we dictate after each procedure describing it in detail) and the manufacturer's stickers of the breast implants. We normally put them on a credit card sized card and give it to the patient. That would disclose the manufacturer, type of implant, volume, style and serial numbers. State law varies but in Tennessee doctors have to keep medical records for 10 years after the last visit. You MAY find copies of... more