I Have a Slight Double-bubble and Was Offered Free Revision. Can I Reuse my Implants?

I had my BA last April and I have noticed over time the double-bubble. When I raise my arms or stand up too straight it is prominent and everyone that I show notices it.Worst of all is that every night I look in the mirror and see it I feel disgusted! Im using the same place but different surgeon. He is offering a free revision and discussed releasing the muscle a bit. Everything about them are fine except for that. Is it ok for him to reuse the same implants?

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double bubble reuse

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by MissDec

Doctor Answers (9)
Community Comments (2)

Reusing implants during revision surgery

This is an excellent question. Though many surgeons will re-use an implant during a revision procedure, the manufacturers do not recommend this. In fact, this may actually void the warranty of the implant. You should discuss this with your surgeon ahead of time. Good luck.

Although there is nothing wrong within implant a year after surgery, the manufacture recommends the use of new implants in any r

It is unlikely that a patient will benefit from purchasing new implants for revision one year after the original operation. Nevertheless, the manufacture recommends use of new implants and probably will not recognize the warranty on the old ones if they are used.

Can I reuse my implants?

Thank you for your question. As long as the implants themselves are not an issue (not ruptured or damaged), they can be kept for correction of a double bubble deformity. This will help to keep the cost of the procedure to a minimal! Good luck.

Reusing Implants with Double Bubble Correction

Correction of a double bubble deformity does not require an implant exchange. This would only increase the cost of the operation not the effectiveness. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Can I Reuse my Implants?

There is no implant related problem here, so there should be no problem using the same implants. All the best.

Double Bubble Correction Keeps Indwelling Breast Implants

Correction of a double bubble does not involve the use of new breast implants...unless they are somehow damaged during the procedure.

Double bubble and same implants

It is certainly is possible to use the same implants but releasing the muscle more will not help your double bubble. Reinforcing the inframammary fold will.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Correction of “Double Bubble” after Breast Augmentation?

Thank you for the question. Assuming the breast implant involved is in excellent condition and meets the objective ( when it comes to size and symmetry), there is no indication to remove/replace it. More important than this question ( and the costs associated with the procedure) should be the concern of your chosen plastic surgeon's experience helping patients in this situation. Make sure that he/she is able to show you ( before and after pictures) good examples of previous... more

Same implants ok for capsuloraphy

Yes, as long as they are not damaged during the procedure you can keep them. Good Luck.

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Comments (2)

islandcheif 2 Feb 2013

Don't let these doctors give you wrong information. This doctor says the truth. The reuse of breast implants is a practice that is greatly discouraged. The FDA has stated "Breast implants are intended for single use only." Implant manufacturers also discourages this practice and will void the implant warranty in such situation. Also, you never know the amount of stress the implant was under in the previous host and you can not be sure the implant is sterilized adequately for re-implantation. A doctor will not perform such a procedures because of all the risks and their work can not be guaranteed or backed up by the warranty

islandcheif 1 Feb 2013

Implants are "Single Use Device". Once they are removed, they cannot resterlize the implant, there is a biofilm left on the implant that could cause an infection, that could lead to Capsular Contracture or an infection. Surgeons are misleading the patients by saying it is okay to reuse them. They are not "Single Patient Device", They are labeled "Single Use Device". You can call Allergan, and they will tell you the same thing. Once the implant is removed from the body, it should be discarded and a new implant should be used.

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