Breast Implant Revision: Q&A

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Can I Get New Implants w/ the Same Periareolar Scar? (Saline to Silicone Exchange)

I had breast surgery last year under muscle, under nipple with saline, if i want to redo will it be under nipple again? im afraid since i dont want more nerve damage as i already cant feel that much and i do want to breast feed one day. i was wondering if i can do it another way for less scarring? and less damage there again thanks!

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18 Doctor Answers | Asked by aly in scarborough

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Implant exchange through the old incision

It is possible to replace your breast implants through the periareolar incision, saline or gel. Sensation should not be affected working through the old scar. Our patients have little problem with breast feeding with the periareolar approach. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Location of Incision for Breast Revision Surgery?

Thank you for the question and picture. Everything considered I think it would be in your best interest to have the revisionary surgery done through the same (periareolar) incision. Best wishes.

Implant exchange and periareolar complications

If you are concerned about loss of nipple sensation, the implants can always be inserted via an infra-mammary approach. Although the circumareolar approach can heal beautifully, it does have the risk of loss of nipple sensation. I hope your plastic surgeon discussed all the possible risks and benefits of each surgical approach prior to your initial surgery. Generally, breast incisions heal well and I would focus on the issue of lack of sensation more than the incision, per se. Best of luck! more

Breast Implant Scars

For the reasons mentioned here, I use the original incision whenever possible. Best wishes!

Save yourself more scarring

If you plan to have your implants revised, then you should have it done through the same incision. If you go through the same incision, there is little additional risk of nerve damage or inability to breast feed.

You can choose your breast augmentation incision

If you want to exchange your implants, you can use the same incision or a new incision. Just keep in mind that a new incision will leave a new permanent scar. Your best bet for silicone implants is to go through the peri-areolar scar (the one you currently have) or through an inframammary crease incision (one on the underside of your breast in the breast crease).

Same incision for redo Breast surgery is one of the options.

There are a number of factors to consider with revisional breast surgery. Technically it is often very possible and practical to use the old scar location to remove the old implants, modify the pocket as needed and replace with a saline or cohesive silicone gel implant. We try not to add scarring to the breast when possible. In some cases, a new scar in the breast fold may be recommended if: the replacement implant will be too large to easily travel through the... more

Incisions for breast augmentation

The incision choice really depends upon the size of the implants being placed and the size of your areolas( that is, if you want to go back in the same way as before). If not, an inframammary incision is fine.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants can be placed through the nipple, under the breast, or through the armpit.

Breast implants can be placed through the nipple, under the breast, or through the armpit. Usually, repeat surgery would be done through the same incision. But if you don't like the scar or the results, you can use another incision.i Also, if you want to switdh to silicone implants, bigger sizes need bigger scars, which might be best through the crease under the breast. None of these incisions should affect breast feeding in the future.

Implant exchange through same scar

Hi there- As my colleagues have mentioned, there should be no reason to necessarily believe that replacing your implants through the same scar would increase your risk for losing more nipple sensation or limit your ability to breast feed. On the other hand, in my opinion (and especially because you already have lost some sensation), if maintaining maximum sensation and ability to breast feed is important to you, I would use a scar in your crease. There is no doubt that... more

Redo with the same incision

There has to be a really good reason to give someone a new scar, when the old one is perfectly acceptable for use. In your case, I would use your pre-existing scar. During the procedure, I would completely remove the old scar tissue, and re-sew it "fresh", for the best appearance. All the best,

Breast Augmentation Scar

Hello and thank you for the question. Having examined your photographs and to answer your question, utilizing the same scar is in my opinion, the best approach, as it will limit further unnecessary scars on the breast. Additionally, you shouldn't incur further numbness if the same tissue plane is accessed to exchange the implants. I recommend following up with your surgeon to discuss these issues and alternative options. Warmest Regards, Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S.... more

Implant remove and replace through diffrerent incision.

Technically speaking if you go through another incision you will have more scarring. Clearly you could place the silicone implants via a crease incision and this would diminish the chance that the implant would interfere with the potential for nursing at a later date.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

New implants usually placed through existing scar

Most of the time the existing scar is used when new implants are placed, and it heals just as well. Since the length of the incision around the areola is limited by the size of the areola, it can be difficult to place large silicone implants that way. If there have been problems that require more surgery, that may also require a longer incision.

Can I Get New Implants w/ the Same Periareolar Scar? (Saline to Silicone Exchange)

Maybe because if the pre filled silicone implant is to large to squeeze through the circum areolar incision than we have an issue. Best from MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski

Can implant exchange be done through the old incision?

Thank you for the photo. My question is this: why do you want to change out the implants? From the photo, your breasts look natural, I do not appreciate any rippling, they look symmetrical and nipple position looks fine. But, if you insist on another surgery, the reaugmentation can be done through the same incision. Gel implants might require a slightly longer incision, but the size of your areola is adequate for this. Breast feeding is an issue for most women. There's no guarantee that... more

Revision surgery for breast implant placement can be done through the original incision

A simple implant exchange can be done through the original incision if that incision is on the breast. Revision surgery can not be done easily through underarm incisions and should not be done through an umbilical incision. In your case, exchange of implants can easily be done through your periareolor incision.

Silicone Implants Can Usually be Placed Via Periareolar Incision

It is usually possible to place silicone implants through a periarolar incision or previous scar. The limiting factor is the size of your areola. There is a new device available which makes this somewhat easier. Ask your plastic surgeon if he/she thinks this is feasible. I certainly always try to not create a new scar when there is already one present.