How Often Do I Need To Replace My Silicone Implants?

Reasons To Replace Silicone Implants

Your Breast Implant Position Has Changed
As you age, your breast tissues will naturally lose elasticity and begin to look different. Other changes to your body can also change the shape of your breasts, including weight fluctuations, pregnancy, menopause, and more. If your breasts are sagging more than you would like, your nipples and areola have become stretched or have shifted position, or the appearance of your breasts make you self-conscious, you may want to have your silicone implants replaced, and perhaps also undergo a breast lift to restore your breast’s previous position and shape. It is very common to combine breast lift and breast augmentation, and you can combine these procedures and replace your silicone implant in one surgery. Discuss this option with your plastic surgeon if you have become dissatisfied with the position or shape of your silicone implants.

You Can Either See Or Feel Wrinkles
This is referring to a wrinkle in the implant itself, not the natural wrinkling that happens to skin as we age. Over time, your breast implant may ripple. This is when the silicone implant begins to lose its shape and form wrinkles. Sometimes these wrinkles or ripples can be seen on the skin, but other times they are only felt. If your silicone implants don’t feel the way they once did, speak with an experienced plastic surgeon to see if your silicone implants need replacing.

Your Personal Taste Has Changed
As you age, you may want to change the size of your implants. Some women choose to size down as they age, but other women may find that they want larger silicone implants than they had originally thought. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your current silicone implants, you can get them replaced and decide on your breast implant size, shape, type, and profile.

Your Breasts Feel Different
While changes to your breasts and a different feeling of the breasts are normal during healing after receiving silicone implants, your breasts should only feel hard during the healing process. If your breasts feel hard after several years with your silicone implants, scar tissue may be hardening around one or both of your silicone implants. Calcium deposits/calcification may develop near the original site of incision when you first received your silicone implants. If your breasts feel hard, you should visit your plastic surgeon to determine if your implants should be replaced.

You Feel Any Pain, Numbness, Or Tingling
Although incredibly rare, silicone implants can rupture and the silicone gel can affect the health of the breast tissue. Unlike saline implants, silicone tends to stay inside the implant or the surrounding tissue instead of quickly leaking out or being absorbed. Because of this, the silicone implant may not show any signs of rupture and your breast won’t suddenly deflate, making it difficult to tell if a rupture has occurred. Because silicone implants don’t have obvious physical signs of rupture, a silicone implant rupture is sometimes referred to as a silent rupture. If you suspect a rupture, contact a plastic surgeon as soon as possible.

Silicone Implant Replacement From A Kelowna Plastic Surgeon

If you’ve had your silicone implants for several years and are interested in getting them replaced, or if you want to see if they need to be replaced soon, schedule an appointment with Peterson MD in Kelowna. Dr. Brian Peterson can assess your current silicone implants to determine their condition and when a breast implant replacement may be best for you. Dr. Peterson will discuss with you your desired results so that you can get the look you want. To schedule an appointment, contact Peterson MD at 1-250-868-9099 or fill out the online contact form.

FAQ

Q: How can I maintain my breast augmentation?
A: To maintain the results of shapely breasts that you are satisfied with, try to ensure your breasts always have adequate support, that you avoid weight fluctuation, that you care for your skin, and that you speak with your plastic surgeon as needed.

Q: What's the difference between breast augmentation and breast implants?
A: Breast augmentation is the term used to describe breast enlargement with a cosmetic procedure. Breast implants are the materials used to enlarge them: silicone, gel, or saline. You can augment your breasts with a fat transfer also.

Q: Are saline implants safer than silicone implants?
A: Both types of implants are safe and approved for use by Health Canada. Both offer many advantages and disadvantages to consider before breast surgery, so be sure to connect with a plastic surgeon who will help you decide which kind is right for you.