Modern silicone gel and saline breast implants are long-lasting. However, no breast implants are designed to last a lifetime. Breast implants used to last about nine years before needing to be replaced, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Some patients can safely keep their implants for much longer.
Breast skin and tissues age similarly to the rest of your body, and you will most likely need to replace your implants at some point in the future. That being said, everyone has a different point of view.
Unfortunately, some patients experience complications with their implants and/or the surrounding capsule, necessitating breast revision surgery. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to consider a breast implant exchange procedure when their aesthetic changes.
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Breast Implants In Dubai are a popular cosmetic procedure for women who want to increase their breast size, regain fullness lost during pregnancy or weight loss, or improve their body proportions. Experienced plastic surgeons perform the surgery, which uses advanced techniques and FDA-approved implants to ensure safe, natural-looking, and long-lasting results. Women in Dubai can feel confident in achieving the breast shape and size that best complements their figure, boosting both their appearance and self-esteem.
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Reasons For Breast Implant Exchange
A breast implant exchange is one of those procedures with a lot of moving parts because there are so many different reasons why a patient might require one. It could be as simple as exchanging your saline implants for silicone or vice versa. Alternatively, though rare, your implant could develop a complication such as:
Possible complications include a rupture, capsular contracture, and implant malposition.
A rupture occurs when your saline implant deflates. This is less obvious with a silicone implant, which is one of the many reasons why you should see your plastic surgeon once a year to check on the health of your breast implants. MRIs are also recommended to assess the integrity of your silicone implants.
Capsular contracture occurs when the capsule of protective tissue that your body naturally forms around any foreign device, such as a breast implant, hardens. This can be painful and have an adverse effect on the shape of your breast.
Implant malposition, as the name implies, occurs when your implant moves out of its original position as a result of weakened breast skin and tissue. It may fall below the inframammary fold, the crease beneath your breasts, or drift to your armpit. Implant malposition is especially common in women who received a larger implant than their anatomy could accommodate.
Changing Aesthetic Big Driver Of Breast Revision Surgery
However, one of the most important factors driving breast revision surgery is a changing aesthetic. If you had your original implants in your 30s and are now in your late 40s or early 50s, you may not want to keep the same look. Fashion evolves.
Furthermore, your body may no longer appear the same because of:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Menopause
- Age
Many women gain weight, particularly in their breasts, and may find that they no longer require as large an implant. The implant will most likely remain unchanged, but the soft tissue surrounding it will thin, age, and sag. Some women even choose to have their implants removed completely. Your specific anatomy and desired outcome will determine the best option for you.
In-Person Breast Implant Exchange Consultation Is Critical
If you are considering changing your implants, you should schedule an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area who has extensive experience with breast revision surgery. This procedure appears simple, but replacing an implant is not as simple as changing a tire. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate the:
- The status of your natural breast tissue
- Skin tone, elasticity
- The placement and health of your current implants
- Positioning the nipples
You will discuss the best treatment options for achieving your ideal appearance. Many patients will undergo a breast lift as part of this procedure.
Do You Need A Breast Lift?
The most basic breast implant exchange procedure is when a patient with healthy breast skin and tissue simply wants to replace her old implants with new ones that are the same size and shape. However, as previously stated, the majority of women who seek this surgery do so not because their implants have aged to the point of becoming problematic, but because they want a different appearance. Recently, the trend in breast implant exchange has shifted toward smaller sizes. While some patients continue to come in wanting to replace their current implants with larger ones, the majority want to go the other way. The problem, of course, is that removing an implant and either not replacing it or replacing it with a smaller size will result in excess skin and tissue. To achieve the ideal contour for your new breasts, you should combine your breast implant exchange with a breast lift.
Fat Grafting To The Breast For Improved Shape
Fat grafting is another option for increasing the size and shape of your breasts. While some patients may be able to consider fat grafting as a stand-alone procedure rather than a smaller implant, for the most part, fat grafting to the breasts is used to improve their shape. Your plastic surgeon may use it to conceal the edges of an implant in a very thin patient or to increase the fullness of the upper pole of the breast.
Most women prefer a full, lush appearance in the upper half of their breasts. This is different from cleavage. The latter is determined by your anatomy. Your cleavage is determined by the distance between your nipples, as any breast implant must be centered behind them. However, adding an appropriate amount of fat to the upper half of the breast can help achieve the soft, full, feminine look that is so popular today.
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What Is The Average Life Span Of Breast Implants?
I suggest that breast implants be replaced after 11-16 years, regardless of whether they are silicone or saline. Previously, it was recommended that implants be replaced every 11 years, and this practice is still followed by a significant number of surgeons. However, implants have become significantly more durable. Although it is permissible to exceed the 11-year mark, I do not advise exceeding the 16-year mark, as the implants will eventually rupture if they are left in for an extended period.
What Are Some Signs Patients Should Look For To Know It Is Time To Replace Their Breast Implants?
The rupture of a saline implant is typically readily apparent due to the implant’s deflation within 2-3 days. If a silicone implant ruptures, the rupture may be less apparent. Because of this, I typically suggest conducting breast implant self-exams, which are included in breast implant massage. This is an effective method of monitoring your breast implants and enables the patient to detect any changes. In the event of a rupture, older generation silicone implants exhibit a slight loss of shape. Consequently, patients may occasionally perceive and occasionally experience a difference. In either case, the most effective initial course of action is to undergo an examination by a plastic surgeon. Ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may occasionally be employed to verify the diagnosis of a ruptured implant.
What Is Breast Implant Replacement Surgery Like?
If an implant rupture is detected early, it may still be feasible to either exchange or remove it. Patients may develop capsular contracture if they delay treatment, necessitating additional efforts. A capsulectomy is necessary to address the capsular contracture. In certain instances, the patient is unable to replace a breast implant concurrently due to excessive inflammation. Consequently, I recommend that the patient wait for six months before reinstalling new implants.
What Is Recovery Like?
The process of recovering from a breast implant exchange is generally straightforward and is frequently less difficult than the initial implantation of the implants. The majority of patients are able to return to work or school the following day and report feeling relatively well. The recovery process is more difficult and patients experience increased soreness for a few days if I am required to perform a capsulectomy, as opposed to performing an exchange alone.
Best Plastic Surgeon In Dubai For Breast Implants
Best Plastic Surgeon In Dubai for breast implants are available at Perfect Doctors Clinic, where patients receive expert care and tailored treatment plans to achieve their desired results. The clinic’s skilled surgeons specialize in breast enhancement procedures, so each step of the process is safe, comfortable, and personalized. From the initial consultation to post-surgery care, patients are guided professionally and compassionately to achieve the best possible outcome.
Perfect Doctors Clinic uses only advanced surgical techniques and FDA-approved implants to achieve natural-looking, long-lasting, and safe results. With a strong reputation for excellence in cosmetic surgery, the clinic is trusted by women who want to improve their appearance with confidence. Every procedure is meticulously planned to enhance not only beauty but also overall self-confidence.