What is the typical recovery time for an implant exchange for larger implants?

Question

Do patients heal faster? The word is they experience less pain and discomfort. But what about “fluffing out” or “dropping” period? Do patients experience same hearing process as the first time around? Thanks!

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,It really depends on what is being done to accommodate the new, larger implant. If minimal capsule manipulation is being performed, you can feel great right away with just ibuprofen. Drop and fluff isn't so dramatic, as tissue expansion has mostly already occurred. Best of luck!

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello the better version of me   Regeneration of the sensory nerves is accompanied by tingling, burning, or shooting pains which disappear with time and are nothing to be alarmed about. If, however, swelling, redness, infection, or drainage accompanies this, then you will need to see the doctor at the office. Healing should be faster or easier in this case. #recovery #healing

Payman Danielpour, MD, FACS · Answer

Removal and replacement of implants is a fairly straight forward procedure that involves minimal to no pain and downtime.  It really all depends on how much work needs to be done internally but it is usually very easy for the patient.  Hope that helps.

Amy T. Bandy, DO, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. The answer really depends on if you are staying in the same surgical plane as where your implants are currently and also how much larger you are going. I have patients that will go from 400cc to 600cc and stay behind the muscle and they feel no pain, only a little discomfort at the incision site for a few days. Then I have patients that go from 400cc and go to 1,200cc and stay behind the muscle and they experience quite a bit of discomfort, as the muscle is being stretched again, while the capsule has to be opened up to allow for a much larger implant. So as you can see, it depends on the exact procedure you are doing. In addition, if you have to do any internal pocket manipulations, such as a capsulorraphy or a capsulectomy, these can both increase your discomfort experienced and healing time. It is best to speak with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon about the approach that they plan to take and what your expected healing time is. I wish you the best of luck!

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Great question! The recovery with removal and replacement is not as severe as the original procedure.  I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear The better version of Me,It depends on the individual but its at least a week of solid downtime. Beyond that depends on how you heal, what time of work you do, and the amount involved with surgery. In most cases patients heal faster after implant exchange. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Daniel B. Kim, MD · Answer

Thank you for reaching out. It definitely depends on what exactly needs to be done and if the pocket will need be widened. But overall it should be an easier recovery than the original augmentation. Best of luck! Dr. Kim

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

The healing process after implant exchange is usually easier than the first augmentation (assuming the implant was placed under muscle originally). The muscle has usually already been lifted and the patient has an expectation of recovery restrictions so it is both physically and emotionally easier.Large implants do weight more and may stretch skin more so you need to be careful that the size of the implants are selected properly with regard to your breast measurements and that the skin in the lower breast is not too loose so the implants do not bottom out too far. Sometimes surgical simulation software (we use Crisalix, other use Vectra) can help better show you the potential result and explain the settling process. Overall, in general, the recovery is faster and easier but there is still an incision that needs to heal so you need to still be careful and follow the surgeon's instructions.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I think that you have a good understanding. Generally, assuming the same breast implant "pocket" is utilized, patients experience significant less pain and healing time compared to first-time breast augmentation surgery. Also, depending on exactly what is done, there is less of a "dropping and fluffing" experience.  Again, much will depend on exactly what is done; therefore, your plastic surgeon will be your best resource when it comes more specific thoughts. Best wishes.

Edward J. Domanskis, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Usuall the first breast enlargement tends to be the most painful unless the patient is going for an XL size. Please visit my website for further info on that. You still need to limit your heavy activity for a period of 2-3 weeks though. Dr. Edward Jonas Domanskis is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery 1441 Avocado Avenue, Suite 307 Newport Beach, California 92660 949.640-6324/1.888.234-5080(Ca) FAX- 949.640-7347 Website: Assistant Clinical Professor of SurgeryWOS-Plastic,University of California (Irvine) Orange County’s Physician of Excellence/America’s Top Physicians/Top Doctors Plastic Surgery- 2005-2017 President,American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons 
Organoderm Skin care/ScaRxTape

What is the typical recovery time for an implant exchange for larger implants?

Answers (11)

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