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.

Dear YG
Exchanging implants usually is very straightforward. What can be extremely challenging is dealing with a high grade capsular contracture. Managing this problem depends on the cause, the degree, and the number of times you have had a contracture. There are several old and new ways to manage this and each has it's pros and cons. Make sure you discuss a capsulotomy vs a capsulectomy, smooth vs textured implants, size of the pocket, and the possible use of an artificial dermal matrix to decide what treatment is best. Best of luck.

Hi YG,

A capsulectomy (removal of capsular tissue) and capsulotomy (release of capsular tissue) is done under general anesthesia.  Old implants are removed and new implants can be replaced during the same surgery. 

Going to a larger implant is likely ok, as long as you have adequate tissue for coverage of a larger implant.  Usually, your old incision site can be used for the procedure, as long as it wasn't an axillary or transumbilical approach.  

Dr. Svehlak

Removing your current implants and replacing them with larger implants is a relatively straightforward process. It involves using your previous breast incision, removing the older implants, opening select portions of your capsule (the scar tissue within your best), and placing a larger implant. The recovery period can often be significantly faster with much less pain. However, if you have hard capsules, the operation is much different. The later involves excisng all of your capsules (scar tissue) and then replacing the implants, in particular, under the muscle if they aren't already placed within a submuscular pocket. Total removal of your capsules can often be associated with some discomfort and depending upon your surgeon, may involve the use of drains.