R&R — removal and replacement — of breast implants is one of the most common outpatient procedures I perform in my office operating suite. Breast implants may need to be replaced for a variety of reasons, including capsular contracture, a broken implant, or the desire for a size change.
When a breast implant is inserted the body reacts by forming a protective lining, called a capsule, around it. This capsule is normal and forms in response to every breast implant. Occasionally, for reasons we don’t completely understand, this capsule starts to shrink, or contract. As this happens the implant progressively begins to feel firm, takes on a spherical shape, migrates out of position, and may become uncomfortable. The treatment is to surgically remove the capsule and replace the implant.
Both saline-filled and silicone gel-filled implants may break as they age. When a saline implant breaks it’s obvious — the breast goes flat within a few days. It’s more difficult to detect rupture of a silicone implant because the breast may not change. Some local inflammation can result from a broken silicone implant but, fortunately, allegations made in the early 1990s that silicone implants could cause human illness have been largely disproved. Some women elect to replace their silicone breast implants before they break. It’s not necessary to do this every 10 years as is sometimes said but most implants are nearing the end of their life expectancy when they’ve been in place for 20 years.
Size change is the most common reason for breast implant replacement. The great majority of women who choose this route elect to go larger. But some women’s breasts get bigger as they age so that implant removal without replacement is a good choice for them. Sometimes a breast lift is necessary when implants aren’t replaced but oftentimes the breasts look better than they ever did. This option also eliminates the need for further implant maintenance as the woman gets older.
For more information, please call Edward Pechter, MD at 661-255-2151, e-mail drpechter@aol.com or visit www.drpechter.com . Located 25880 Tournament Road, Suite 217 in Valencia.