What's Involved in Replacing Old Implants with Bigger, New Ones?

This is possible, but you first need to see your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, be evaluated, then consider the risks of the change, and whether the risks can be justified.  Bigger means, more risks, and risk of infection, asymmetry, and more.

Thank you for your question.

Replacing existing breast implants with larger sizes is occasionally requested in our San Francisco Bay Area practice and the surgery is similar to the original procedure. Replacement implant size can be increased, decreased, or remain the same depending on the goals of the individual. Saline implants may be exchanged for either silicone or saline implants and silicone implants may be exchanged for either saline or silicone implants. Implants placed above the muscle may be replaced above or below the muscle (generally below). If present, capsular contracture (hardening of the tissue around the implant) can be corrected during the same procedure. Additionally the recovery period for breast implant exchange is generally faster and easier on patients than the original surgery.

For additional information on breast implant exchange please visit the office of a board-certified plastic surgeon.

I hope this helps.

Generally speaking, the procedure is relatively simple. It involves incising capsule tissue to allow for placement of a larger implant. If encapsulation is present, some scar tissue excision may be necessary.

On this site, I do my best to give advice without a physical examination but I want you to know that a physical examination by a board certified physician is always the best way to get the most accurate information.