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Implant Exchange

Breast Implant Revision

Breast implant exchange, also known as implant revision surgery, is a surgical procedure performed to replace existing breast implants with new ones. This procedure allows patients to update the size, shape, or material of their implants to better suit their current aesthetic goals or to address medical complications such as implant rupture, leaking, or capsular contracture (hardening of the scar tissue). Surgeons often utilise the original incision sites to minimise new scarring, and in some cases, the surgery is combined with a mastopexy (breast lift) to correct drooping that may have occurred due to aging, pregnancy, or weight changes.

 

Procedure Overview

Procedure Time 1–2 Hours
Hospital Time Day Case
Return to Work 1 Week
Full Recovery 6 Weeks
Support Bra 6 Weeks
Final Results 3–6 Months

The Different Types of Implant Exchange

Breast implant exchange is highly individualised. The technique, implant type, and placement are carefully selected based on body shape, tissue characteristics, and aesthetic goals.

Implant Removal Journey

Before & After Gallery

View authentic transformations from real patients who have undergone implant exchange with Mr Nakul Patel, showcasing natural, elegant results tailored to each individual’s anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Breast Augmentation Gallery

Benefits of Implant Exchange

Are You Suitable for Implant Exchange?

You may be suitable if

  • You are unhappy with the current size, shape, or feel of your breasts and wish to move to a larger or smaller implant volume.
  • YYour current implants are older than 10–15 years and you wish to upgrade to modern cohesive silicone gel for increased safety and a more natural texture.
  • You have developed clinical complications such as a confirmed rupture, persistent rippling, or capsular contracture that has made the breast feel firm or uncomfortable.

Alternatives

  • A simple implant removal without replacement is an option if you no longer wish to have foreign objects in your body and prefer a return to a natural look.
  • A breast lift alone may be appropriate if you are satisfied with your natural volume but wish to correct drooping or nipple position without inserting new implants.
  • Fat transfer can be used as an alternative to new implants, utilizing your own body fat to provide a modest and natural-feeling increase in volume.

The Procedure: What's Involved ?

Labiaplasty Incision Diagram

Step 1: Incision and Access

The surgeon typically reopens the original incisions from your previous surgery—usually in the crease under the breast or around the areola—to avoid creating new scars. Once the access point is established, the surgeon reaches the existing breast pocket to begin the exchange process.

Labiaplasty Reshaping Diagram

Step 2: Implant and Pocket Revision

The old implants are carefully removed and the internal "pocket" is inspected. If you are changing sizes, the surgeon will either enlarge the pocket for a bigger implant or perform internal stitching (capsulorrhaphy) to tighten the pocket for a smaller one. If you have hardened scar tissue, a capsulectomy is performed at this stage to remove the old capsule.

Labiaplasty Suturing Diagram

Step 3: Placement and Refinement

The new, modern implants are inserted and positioned for optimal symmetry and projection. If a breast lift was planned, the excess skin is removed and the nipple is repositioned at this point. Finally, the incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures and a supportive surgical bra is applied to hold the new implants in place during the initial healing phase.

Preparing for Surgery

During your consultation, we will plan:
  • We evaluate your current breast implants to identify any issues such as rupture, displacement, or capsular contracture.
  • We determine if your existing surgical pocket needs to be tightened or enlarged to accommodate your new implant size.
  • We select the ideal implant material and profile to achieve your desired balance of volume, feel, and projection.
  • We assess your skin elasticity to decide if a concurrent breast lift is necessary to restore a youthful position.
  • We map out the surgical approach with the goal of utilizing your original incision sites to prevent further scarring.
  • We review your full medical history and finalize your anaesthetic plan to ensure a safe and smooth recovery.

Avoiding Complications

Pain, swelling, and bruising: Expected in the first few weeks as the tissue adjusts to the new implants.

Sensory changes: Temporary numbness or hypersensitivity in the nipple or breast skin.

Asymmetry: Minor differences in breast height or volume during the “drop and fluff” phase.

Scarring concerns: The potential for thickened (hypertrophic) or widened scars at the incision sites.

Seroma: A localised collection of fluid around the implant that usually resolves naturally but may require drainage.

Cosmetic dissatisfaction: The possibility that the final shape or size does not perfectly match your expectations.

Haematoma: Internal bleeding that creates a blood collection, sometimes requiring a return to the operating theatre to drain.

Infection: This may require antibiotics; in severe cases, the new implant may need to be removed until the infection clears.

Capsular Contracture: The hardening of the scar tissue around the new implant, which can cause discomfort or a distorted shape.

Implant Malposition: The device may shift, rotate, or “bottom out” if the internal pocket does not heal tightly enough.

Rippling or Palpability: The edges of the implant may be felt or seen through the skin, especially in patients with thin breast tissue.

Fat Necrosis: Small, firm lumps of fatty tissue that can form if the blood supply is disrupted during surgery.

 

Implant Rupture or Failure: Damage to the implant shell that may occur during or after surgery.

BIA-ALCL & BIA-SCC: Extremely rare types of lymphoma or carcinoma associated with the capsule around breast implants.

DVT or Pulmonary Embolism: Blood clots in the legs or lungs; we use compression stockings and early movement to minimize this risk.

Implant Extrusion: The implant pushing through the skin or incision line, usually due to severe healing issues.

Chronic Pain: Persistent discomfort in the chest wall or breast tissue that lasts long after the healing period.

Anaesthetic Complications: Rare reactions to general anaesthesia or respiratory issues such as pneumonia.

Frequently Asked
Questions about Implant Exchange

There is no "expiry date" on modern implants, but they are not considered lifetime devices. Most surgeons recommend an exchange or assessment every 10 to 15 years. Over time, the risk of the shell weakening or the tissue changing increases, making a proactive exchange a common choice.

In the vast majority of cases, yes. Your surgeon will typically enter through the existing scar (usually under the breast fold) to remove the old implant and place the new one. This prevents the creation of "double scars" and allows the surgeon to potentially refine the appearance of the original scar.

For many patients, the recovery from an exchange is slightly faster than the initial augmentation because the "pocket" has already been created. However, if your exchange involves a capsulectomy (removing hard scar tissue) or a breast lift, your recovery may be more similar to your first surgery in terms of soreness and downtime.

 

Yes. An exchange is the perfect time to "convert" the pocket. If you originally had implants placed above the muscle (subglandular) and are now experiencing rippling or visible edges, your surgeon can move the new implants beneath the chest muscle (submuscular) for better coverage and a more natural look.

 

After an exchange, your breasts may initially look high, tight, or even slightly "boxy." "Drop and fluff" refers to the period (usually 3–6 months) where the chest muscle relaxes and the skin stretches slightly, allowing the new implants to settle into a natural, teardrop-shaped position.

If you move to a significantly smaller size, there may be "excess" skin left behind. If your skin elasticity is good, it may shrink back. However, if there is noticeable sagging, a Mastopexy (Breast Lift) is often recommended alongside the exchange to ensure the skin envelope fits the new, smaller volume tightly.

Yes, patients can choose to "upgrade" from saline to modern cohesive silicone gel ("gummy bear") implants during an exchange because silicone typically offers a more natural feel and is less prone to visible rippling or "sloshing" sounds.

While you can usually go for light walks within 48 hours, you must avoid all upper-body weightlifting, running, or high-impact cardio for at least six weeks. Engaging the pectoral muscles too early can cause the new implants to shift or result in internal bleeding.

While you can technically replace just one, surgeons almost always recommend replacing both. Implants are manufactured in "batches," and replacing both ensures that the age, projection, and volume remain perfectly symmetrical. It also prevents you from needing another surgery a few years later when the older, non-ruptured side eventually wears out.

An exchange generally does not change your ability to have screenings, but you should always inform the radiologist that you have implants. If you switch from "over the muscle" to "under the muscle" during your exchange, it can actually make mammogram imaging slightly clearer as there is more natural tissue available to pull forward.

If your capsule is healthy and soft, the surgeon may leave it in place and simply swap the device. However, if the capsule is hard (capsular contracture) or if the implant has ruptured, the surgeon will perform a capsulectomy to remove the scar tissue partially or entirely before placing the new implant.

During your consultation, we use your current implant volume as a known "baseline." If you feel your current 350cc implants are too small, we can trial sizers that are 100–150cc larger. Having a starting point makes it much easier to predict exactly how a new size will look on your specific frame.
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