Can I reuse my breast implants?

Question

Hi I would like to know if I had a removal of my breast implants because of a seroma can I reuse my breast implants?

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions.  Implants can not be removed and reused at a later date.  AT the time of surgery they can be reused.  Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon.  Best wishes

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

The most important thing is to evaluate the cause of the seroma. Once implants are removed, they cannot be re-used at a later date.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for the questions. This would depend on many factors, such as when your surgery was, how long after the seroma developed, what caused the seroma, etc. You need to see a local board certified plastics surgeon to discuss your options, but generally speaking, if there was a problem around the implant, it is usually better to be safe than sorry and replace the implant. Hope this helps!

Benjamin J. Cousins, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. No, generally breast implants are not re-used. If there is a hematoma or seroma that can be drained or evacuated, then the implants (and augmentation) can be salvaged, but not re-used. Hope this helps.Sincerely,Benjamin J. Cousins MD

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

are okay if done at the same time of removal... but if there was any suggestion of something funny with your seroma, it would be best to find out what the fluid consists of before putting any implant back in.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  Implants can be removed from the body and relaxed during the same surgery.  Removal of the implants and re-using them at a later date is frowned upon by the manufacturer.  Implant sizers are sterilized and re-used so technically breast implants can be used again as well.  Since they are not designed to do so and the implant manufacturers do not support doing so I think you will find a hard time finding a plastic surgeon willing to take that risk.Good luck with your breast shaping journey.Dr Remus Repta

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Practices may vary but in my practice, I would not reuse a breast implant in circumstances where there is any type of fluid accumulation around the breast implant.  The concern would be the potential for problems such as breast implant encapsulation.  Best wishes.

Nicholas A. Flugstad, MD · Answer

Breast implants are single use, and there is no practical way to 'sterilize' them again once they have been removed from your body. Also, if you had a seroma, there was probably also bacteria living on the surface of your implant. You should be able to have new implants placed without the same issues. Best wishes - make sure you are getting advice from a board certified plastic surgeon.

Robert Whitfield, MD · Answer

The package insert for each device says it is to be used one time.  If you are having issues with seroma that needs to be evaluated.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

Breast implants cannot be taken out and stored and reused at a later date, but if you have a simple seroma after augmentation that should be treated by drainage without implant removal. If you have a seroma long after the augmentation that can be a serious problem and you need an experienced breast surgeon. The capsule needs to be completely removed and the seroma fluid must be sent to an experienced lab for testing.

Can I reuse my breast implants?

Answers (11)

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