Breast Implant Exchange in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Need A Breast Implant Exchange?
Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic procedure amongst women in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. Unfortunately, there are circumstances in which revision surgery becomes necessary to improve the outcome. Dr. David J. Levens, a board-certified plastic surgeon, specializes in all aspects of breast enhancement surgery and thus is well qualified to help such women seeking breast implant exchange to achieve their ideal breast augmentation result.
What is a Breast Implant Exchange?
Breast implant exchange is a type of revision breast augmentation surgery that removes breast implants to replace them with new implants. Patients may pursue breast implant exchange due to medical necessity or simply to adjust their appearance to better satisfy their cosmetic goals.
What are the Benefits of Breast Implant Exchange?
Benefits of breast implant exchange include:
- Optimizing the size and shape of the breasts
- Improving symmetry in the breasts
- Correcting capsular contracture
- Replacing ruptured or leaking implants
Patient Before & Afters
Gender: Female
Breast Surgery
Procedure Type:Breast Implant Revision
Implant Placement:Submuscular
Implant Type:Mentor MemoryGel Silicone Gel Implant
Gender: Female
Breast Surgery
Procedure Type:Breast Implant Revision
Are You A Candidate For Breast Implant Exchange?
To be considered a good candidate for breast implant exchange, you should be in good overall health and near your ideal body weight. Other criteria for revision breast augmentation are patients who:
- Can achieve ideal breast enhancements with a new implant style
- Have asymmetry in the breasts or have implants in an unnatural position
- Are unhappy with the size and shape of their current implants
If you meet these criteria, you might be a good candidate for breast implant exchange. However, the best way to determine your candidacy for a revision breast augmentation is to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Levens. During your consultation, you can discuss your cosmetic goals as Dr. Levens helps you identify whether a breast implant exchange is an appropriate solution. If it is, he’ll develop a personalized treatment plan and explain what you can expect leading up to, during and after your surgery.
How Soon After Breast Augmentation Can I Get a Revision?
If you’re unhappy with the results of your breast augmentation, it’s understandable that you would be eager to undergo a revision breast augmentation. However, it’s recommended that patients wait 6-12 months before the breast implant exchange to ensure that the body is fully healed from the initial surgery. Furthermore, it can take several months for the breasts and implants to settle into their new position after a breast augmentation, at which point the results of surgery can be fully evaluated.
What Type of Breast Implant is Best for Me?
If you are unhappy with your current breast implants, you may have selected an implant size, shape or material that is not well-suited for your cosmetic goals. During your consultation with Dr. Levens, you may want to discuss and reconsider the type of implants you receive based on the following categories:
Breast Implant Materials
There are two main types of implants used for breast augmentation, saline and silicone. Saline implants are made with an outer silicone shell that replicates natural breast tissue. While saline implants offer some benefits during the surgical process, and subsequently the recovery process, the saline filling may not feel as natural as other breast implant materials. Furthermore, they are susceptible to rippling and wrinkling. Silicone implants are also made with an outer silicone shell, but they’re filled with a silicone gel that mimics the natural breast tissue. This results in a breast implant that looks and feels much more natural than saline implants, and it’s the main reason why silicone implants are the preferred implant material for a majority of patients.
Breast Implant Sizes
To achieve optimal sizing Dr. Levens carefully measures your breast dimensions and assesses your soft tissues. Then sizers are used to place in a bra and simulate your appearance. Finally typical patient photos (inspiration photos or “inspos”) are reviewed several times to help determine the look you are seeking so Dr. Levens can choose just the right size and projection of your implants.
How Much is Breast Implant Exchange?
The cost of revision breast augmentation is based upon an individual treatment plan that Dr. Levens develops during your consultation. After the appointment, we will provide you with a total cost and explain your payment options, including cash, personal check, Visa®, MasterCard® and American Express®. If you are interested in financing your breast implant exchange, our patient coordinators will explain how to apply for CareCredit®, Alphaeon Credit, or Prosper® Healthcare Lending.
What Happens During Breast Implant Exchange Surgery?
The procedure for revision breast augmentation is similar to the surgery for breast augmentation to a degree, but Dr. Levens may also need to remove scar tissue from the breast area. Whenever possible, he will place the incisions along the scars from your previous breast augmentation. Once he makes the incisions, he will carefully remove the implants and, if you have ruptured silicone implants, he will also remove any silicone that has leaked into the surrounding tissues. He then inserts the new implants through the incisions and may choose to position your new implants in a new tissue “pocket” to improve the outcome. The incisions are closed with sutures, a drainage tube may be utilized and a support bra applied.
What are the Risks of Breast Implant Exchange?
There are a few important risks to consider before pursuing breast implant exchange, although they are the same risks that patients take when pursuing an initial breast augmentation surgery.
Mammogram Risks
Breast implants may make a mammogram somewhat more difficult to read. This does not mean that a mammogram can’t be adequately read, simply that the mammograms must be performed and interpreted by someone experienced in the proper techniques. When an implant is present, special views are performed to better visualize the entire breast. To be clear, breast implants do not cause breast cancer. Studies indicate breast cancer occurs in about 10% of women, whether or not they’ve had breast augmentation. For this reason, women with or without implants would all abide by the recommended cancer screening guidelines of annual mammograms.
Breast Symmetry Risks
You should remember that there are always slight differences in size, shape and/or nipple location between your two breasts. Revision breast augmentation may reduce these differences but not entirely eliminate them.
Implant Lifespan Risks
No one can guarantee or predict the life of a breast implant. Some patients have had the same implants in place for 25 years while others have needed to replace them sooner. It is a common misconception that implants need to be replaced every 10 years. Although they’re not lifetime devices, they often last well beyond 10 years.
Capsular Contracture Risks
When any implant is placed in your body, the body forms a lining or capsule around it. This capsule is similar in some ways to scar tissue and can shrink or contract. If it contracts markedly and squeezes on your implant, it can distort the implant or make the breast feel too firm. This risk cannot be totally eliminated, and mild firmness is relatively common. However, it is rare that firmness and distortion will be severe enough to require re-operation.
Implant Rupture Risks
Very rarely, the shell of a breast implant can leak. Usually, this is due to folds occurring with abrasion of the shell, and can follow the development of firmness due to capsular contracture. Very rarely the valve mechanism in a saline-filled implant can leak with the loss of harmless salt water into the surrounding tissues. Your body then absorbs this fluid. If implant rupture can be confirmed, or is strongly suspected, the implant can be inspected, removed, if necessary, and replaced with a new implant.
Surgical Risks
In a small percentage of cases, risks common to all surgical procedures can occur, such as bleeding, infection, and scar tissue formation. Bleeding or infection may occur in 1% to 3% of cases, and may require another procedure for correction. Infection may require temporary implant removal and subsequent replacement. Dr. Levens will give you detailed information about these and other rare risks during his discussion with you and in written information about breast implants.
Why Choose Dr. David J. Levens?
Dr. David J. Levens, FACS, is an exceptional plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Coral Springs since 1989. With a career spanning over three decades, he has established himself as a highly respected and experienced professional in the field. Dr. Levens is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and he is a member of prestigious organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
When it comes to revision breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Levens is known for his surgical skill and expertise. He offers a comprehensive range of sophisticated plastic surgery procedures and treatments for the face and body. However, what sets him apart is his patient-centric approach. Dr. Levens takes the time to understand each patient's unique situation and helps them choose the most suitable procedure or treatment to achieve their desired outcome. His expertise, combined with his compassionate and meticulous approach, make him an excellent choice for those looking to undergo breast implant exchange. Learn more about Dr. Levens or read his reviews.
Call 954-752-1020 Today
To Schedule Your Consultation!
What to Buy for Breast Implant
Exchange Recovery?
When preparing for revision breast augmentation surgery and the recovery period, it's essential to have certain items on hand to ensure a smooth and comfortable healing process, just as you would for your initial breast augmentation surgery. Some of the items you may want to consider having available include:
- Surgical bras
- Comfortable clothing
- Extra pillows
- Ice packs
- Medications
- Scar care products
- Loose and supportive undergarments
- Entertainment and self-care items
How Painful is Revision Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Your breasts and chest area will feel tender and swollen, and you may have some moderate discomfort. This is handled well with pain medication. Most also experience nuisances such as tightness or fullness, both of which are temporary and resolve within the first 2 weeks. There may be slight bruising under the breasts a day or two after surgery, but it will fade in about a week. A moderate feeling of soreness may persist for a week or two for which Dr. Levens will prescribe medication although most women only require the pain medication for the first few days.
How Long is Breast Implant Exchange Recovery?
Recovery from your revision breast augmentation may be slightly longer than the recovery from your initial breast augmentation due to the additional tissue removal that may be required. Still, most patients make a full recovery within three months. The typical schedule of recovery is:
- Drains will be removed within a few days, when you’ll be able to resume bathing/showering.
- Bruising and swelling for 3 to 10 days
- Return to work and social activities within 3 to 5 days
- Return to mild aerobic activity within 14 days
- Partake in strenuous activities within 3-4 weeks
Dr. Levens will encourage you to return to normal activity as soon as you can but avoid strenuous or jarring exercises.
Post Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
When Sleep on My Side After Revision Breast Augmentation?
Patients are advised to sleep on their back and/or in an elevated position for the first few weeks following breast implant exchange. This is done to minimize pressure on the incisions, promote proper healing, and reduce the risk of complications. Sleeping on your side too soon could potentially put pressure on the surgical area, disrupt the healing process, and cause discomfort. You may resume sleeping on your side after the initial healing phase, which is typically about 4-8 weeks after surgery, although the exact timeline will be different for each patient.
When Can I Wear a Normal Bra After Revision Breast Augmentation?
You will be provided with a comfortable cotton sports bra which you will wear most of the time for the first two to three weeks following your procedure. As your healing progresses, most patients are able to transition to a regular bra. During this time, we recommend using a supportive sports bra or a soft, non-underwire bra. Patients who want to sleep without a bra or go braless after their breast implant exchange should wait at least 6-8 weeks, as doing so any earlier could place unhealthy stress on the breast tissue and interfere with your recovery process.
Are Breast Implants Permanent?
Breast implants are designed to be long-lasting devices, and many of them will last upwards of 20 years. However, all implants come with the risk of rupture, deflation or other complications that may require them to be removed or replaced earlier than this. Regular monitoring of breast implants through routine check-ups with a plastic surgeon is essential to assess their condition and identify any potential complications. Most patients enjoy many years with their breast implants without any complications.
Dr. Levens has been providing breast augmentation surgery for women in Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, and throughout Broward County since 1989. To learn more about the breast implant exchange procedure or to schedule your complimentary consultation, contact us today.
