If I am having breast implants replaced, how painful is the surgery? Is it as painful as original augmentation?

Question

I had breast augmentation surgery back in 1999 being 15 years and my right implant has ruptured. When I had my original surgery I was as sick as a dog from the anesthesia and immense pain. Will my recovery be different with this operation? Thanks!!

John J. Edney, MD · Answer

Surgical techniques and anesthetic techniques have improved greatly over the last 15 years.  It is likely you will have a better experienced this time.  Your postoperative recovery and discomfort however will be determined to some degree by the extent of the surgical procedure required to replace your implant.  It will be important however for you to consult a well trained and experienced board certified plastic surgeon to perform your procedure.  Good luck'

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  Assuming that the same breast implant "pockets” are utilized, revisionary breast surgery  tends to be associated with minimal recovery time/discomfort, compared to first-time breast augmentation surgery.    Make sure that you communicate your concerns regarding nausea/vomiting to your anesthesiologist and plastic surgeon.  Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Usually revision surgery is often less painful but it really depends upon what is needed to be performed.  Anesthesia techniques as well have improved.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Heather,In general, breast implant replacement surgery is less painful than the original augmentation.  This is of course dependent on whether or not internal work needs to be done, such as resetting the breast fold or removing the capsule.  Additionally, anesthetic techniques have improved over the past 15 years and antiemetic/antinauseant medications have become more readily available with a strong recent push to decrease post operative nausea and vomiting (PONV).  Good luck!

Scott L. Replogle, MD (retired) · Answer

Today even a first time breast augmentation with implants can be done with local anesthesia and IV sedation to minimize the risks, costs, and side effects of general anesthesia. A simple replacement can potentially even be done with just local anesthesia if all that is done is to open an old inframammary crease incision, remove the old implant, and place the new one. The only "healing" or recovery is the incision which is minimal. If the capsule around the old implant needs revision, then the procedure is a bit more involved and would require at least local anesthesia and IV sedation (Most plastic surgeons still do this under general anesthesia). The recovery would be more involved than a simple replacement but still nothing like the original placement procedure of the implants. If only one side needs revision/replacement then it's even easier than operating on both breasts.

If I am having breast implants replaced, how painful is the surgery? Is it as painful as original augmentation?

Answers (5)

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