WANT TO GO BIGGER OR SMALLER? MAYBE YOU NEED A BREAST IMPLANT EXCHANGE
If you’ve had breast augmentation and would now like to change the size of your implants, you’re not alone. About 10 percent of women who get breast implants choose to have breast implant replacement later on to change the size of their breasts.
You might realize soon after the procedure that once the initial swelling disappears and your breasts settle into their final shape, that you were too cautious and should have gone bigger. Or, you might be considering implant exchange years later. Perhaps you’ve become more physically active and want a smaller chest, or your body goals have changed.
This is a highly personal decision that women make for any number of reasons. Here are some things to consider before going bigger or smaller.
GOING BIGGER
Most women who change the size of their implants choose to go bigger. That may be the result of an excess of caution in making decisions for the first procedure. It’s a natural tendency not to want to overdo it with large implants. Now that you see the results of your implants, you may be ready to make a more significant change. Or, your body may have changed over the years, and larger implants may be needed to create natural-looking curves and better harmony among your features.
When exchanging for larger implants, the surgeon makes incisions along the scars from the previous procedure, removes the existing implants, and places the new implants in the same breast pockets. It sounds simple, but it’s a highly customized procedure and more complex than the original augmentation. Incisions must be made with care to minimize scarring. The new implants must be placed within the capsules (layers of protective tissue that have formed around the old implants) to ensure natural-looking and long-lasting positioning. Successful breast revision surgery is a combination of art and science; it requires both medical expertise and an aesthetic understanding of the varieties of body form.
GOING SMALLER
If you’re bothered by implants you feel are too large, the exchange can be done in the other direction. You might opt for this change if your augmented breasts get in the way of sports, exercise, or other activities, or if you have trouble finding clothes that fit. Changing to smaller implants can also relieve chronic neck or shoulder pain associated with larger breasts.
The procedure to change to smaller implants follows most of the same steps as the procedure to get larger implants. However, it may also involve tightening or removing the capsule so that the new implants remain in position. In some cases, the surgeon may temporarily remove the old implants and allow the breast to heal for a few weeks before placing the new implants. Another option is to place supportive tissue, such as collagen matrix, within the breast to hold the new implants in place. If the original implants were placed within the breast tissue, the surgeon might recommend putting the new implants beneath the chest muscle.
You might also consider combining the implant exchange with a breast lift to give your smaller breasts a round, firm, and uplifted form. A breast lift can address flattening that may occur with a change to smaller implants and can correct sagging—whether caused by stretching from the larger implants, pregnancy and breastfeeding, or simply as a result of the aging process.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BREAST IMPLANT EXCHANGE IN NEW ORLEANS
As you weigh your implant replacement options, your first and most crucial decision will be to choose a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon. Seek out a doctor who is board-certified and has a record of producing beautiful and customized results—someone you’ll trust to advise you on the best choice for your body.
Dr. Russel Hendrick at the New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery is a board-certified plastic surgeon with special expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the body. Call us at (504) 533-8848 or contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hendrick today.
