Breast Implant Replacement

To see Dr Avery, you will need a referral from your GP or another specialist who knows you well. Some people seek a consultation after speaking with family or friends, or following their own research into plastic surgery.

The initial consultation is an opportunity to discuss your personal reasons for considering surgery, your expectations, and any questions or concerns you may have. Dr Avery will take time to understand your health history and circumstances so that the information you receive is specific to you.

When you arrive at Avery, you will be welcomed by our Care Team and asked to complete a medical history form if this has not already been done. You are welcome to bring a supportive family member or friend with you to your consultation, should you wish, to help you collect and retain al of the information you need to make an informed decision about surgery.

As part of the consultation, Dr Avery will carry out an examination of the area of concern and provide information about whether surgery may be suitable for you. This discussion will include what the procedure involves, the possible risks and complications, and any limitations that may apply in your situation. The aim is to provide you with clear information about what surgery may or may not achieve, and whether it is an appropriate option for you.

Your consultation will also include discussion of the estimated costs associated with surgery.

After your appointment, our Care Team is available to answer any further questions, including those relating to fees and practical next steps.

At Avery, our focus is to provide you with accurate and personalised information to support your decision-making process before, during, and after surgery.

Breast implant replacement (also referred to as revision surgery) shares some similarities with the original augmentation mammoplasty (breast augmentation) procedure. In many cases, the incision is made in the same location as the existing scar.

The most common incision placement is within the inframammary fold (the crease where the breast meets the chest). This incision allows direct access to the implant pocket, whether the implant is positioned beneath the muscle (submuscular or subpectoral) or above the muscle (subglandular). Other incision approaches may be used depending on the surgical plan. If other procedures, such as a mastopexy (breast lift), are performed at the same time, additional incisions may be required.

Following surgery, the breasts and skin may appear firm or higher in position than expected. These changes generally alter during the recovery period, but the outcome varies between individuals.

Scarring occurs with all surgery. The appearance of scars depends on the incision pattern, individual healing responses, and other factors such as skin type. Scars may be raised, pigmented, or fade over time, but the long-term appearance is variable.

Breast implant replacement surgery usually takes between one and three hours. Some patients go home the same day, while others remain in hospital overnight depending on the circumstances of their surgery and recovery.

As with all surgical procedures, breast implant replacement surgery does have risks, despite the highest standards of practice. It is not common practice for any surgeon to outline in detail every possible side effect or rare complication. However, it is important that you are informed of the more common risks and the less common but potentially very significant complications, so you can carefully weigh the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of surgery. It is usually possible to provide a more comprehensive list of potential risks and complications related to surgery, so that any risks particularly relevant to an individual can be identified and discussed further.

The following possible complications are listed to inform and not to alarm you. There may be other complications that are not listed. Smoking, obesity, and other significant medical problems will cause greater risk of complications.

Some general risks and possible complications of surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Heavy bleeding from an operated site. This may require a blood transfusion.
• Infection that may require treatment with antibiotics or further surgery in some cases.
• Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings or antiseptic solutions.
• The formation of a large blood clot (haematoma) beneath an incision site may require further surgery.
• Complications such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism or stroke may be caused by a blood clot, which can be life threatening.
• Pain, bruising and swelling around the operated site(s).
• Slow healing.
• Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia and other risks related to anaesthesia.
• Tissue cannot heal without scarring and that how one scars is dependent on individual genetic characteristics. Dr Avery will do his best to minimise scarring but cannot control its ultimate appearance.
• Smoking or using nicotine products during the 3–4-week pre-operative and post-operative periods is prohibited as these could dramatically increase the chances of complications.
• All medications I am currently taking, including prescriptions, over the counter remedies, herbal therapies and supplements, aspirin, and any other recreational drug or alcohol use can affect the safety of my surgery.
• There can be no guarantees about the results of any surgery.

Some specific risks for breast implant replacement surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Hematoma (bleeding / blood accumulation) which may require surgery.
• Possible impact on ability to breastfeed.
• Infection.
• Loss of nipple sensation.
• Scarring which may influence future surgery if required.
• Impact on my physical appearance, such as distortion, wrinkling, significant loss of volume; the extent and impact of this may be variable and unpredictable.
• Need for more surgery for surgical corrections (revision surgery – short or long term).
• Further recovery time if further surgery is required.
• Pain and discomfort.
• Failure to improve all symptoms thought to be related to breast implants.
• DVT (deep vein thrombosis) – clot in legs or PE (pulmonary embolus) – clot in lungs.
• Allergic reactions to tape, suture material, topical preparations, medications.
• Implant rupture and inability to remove 100% of the residual silicone from the breast or lymph nodes.
• It may not be possible to remove all of capsule (scar tissue layer).
• It may not be possible to remove implant and capsule as one (en-bloc removal).
• Dissatisfaction or disappointment with result.

The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS)has further information about breast implant replacement surgery including the possible risks for this surgery.

Following breast implant replacement surgery, some people may stay in hospital overnight, while others may be discharged the same day. The length of stay depends on the complexity of the surgery and whether additional procedures are performed.

Time away from work and usual activities also varies. In some cases, this may be two to four weeks, depending on the nature of the surgery and the type of work undertaken.

Bruising, swelling, and discomfort are expected after surgery. These may gradually improve over several weeks, but the timing differs between individuals. Supportive dressings or a compression garment are usually recommended for several weeks to help support the surgical area.

Pain management is an important part of recovery. Medications are prescribed, and the type and duration of pain relief may be adjusted according to individual needs. In some cases, temporary surgical drains are used to help remove fluid from the surgical site.

Follow-up appointments are scheduled weekly to monitor healing, review dressings, and provide further guidance.

The overall recovery process depends on factors such as general health, surgical complexity, and healing responses, and will be discussed during consultation.

The financial aspects of your surgery are as important as the medical elements when planning for surgery. At Avery, the surgeries we offer fall into three different financial categories: Self-funded – aesthetic surgery; self-funded – plastic and reconstructive surgery; and health insured – plastic and reconstructive surgery.

To make sense of these three financial categories, we have created a detailed price guide to help you understand what may or may not be covered by your health insurer/Medicare and your out of pocket expenses.

To download this guide, please click here.

For more information or to book a consultation, please contact our team on 02 4002 4150.

Breast implant replacement surgery is also referred to as breast implant revision surgery, and it involves the removal and/or replacement of breast implants for a variety of possible reasons. Replacement of breast implants is accomplished by removing an old implant and inserting a new breast implant either behind the breast tissue or under the chest muscle in order to enlarge its size. Breast implants do not have an indefinite life span, regardless of type, and may eventually require replacement surgery.

Breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime. Future surgery is often required to replace one or both implants. As with all surgical procedures, revisional surgery may also be necessary to correct any problems that may also develop. Breast implants can be replaced after migration or rupture, or because they have gone hard (capsular contracture). Surgery may be required if there is a problem with the implant or if there has been a change in the relationship between the breast and the implant that has a negative impact on the breast appearance or the individual is experiencing pain. Some people also choose to have their breasts. For further risks associated with breast implant replacement surgery, please visit the risks section on this service page.

Replacement of breast implants is accomplished by removing an old implant and inserting a new breast implant either behind the breast tissue or under the chest muscle in order to enlarge its size. Breast implants do not have an indefinite life span, regardless of type, and may eventually require replacement surgery. Your surgery will be performed at an accredited hospital, under a general anaesthetic.

When a breast implant is placed inside the body, the body forms a layer of scar tissue around the implant, this layer is known as the implant capsule. How thick an implant capsule develops varies between people and varies over time. It can also be influenced by the properties of the implant and where the implant is placed (under or over the pectorals muscle in the chest). With time the capsule may cause symptoms such as pain or a change in appearance in the breast. These changes can occur with or without a problem with the implant itself such as an implant rupture. A capsulectomy refers to the surgical removal of this scar tissue layer. This can be performed during implant replacement or during implant removal. When the entire capsule is removed this is referred to as a total or complete capsulectomy. When it is removed all in one piece with the breast implant included, this is known as en bloc removal and is generally the goal when removing implants in women with symptoms suggestive of breast implant illness. At times, it may not be possible to remove the entire capsule due to factors such as its thickness or its attachment to other important structures. For further risks associated with breast augmentation, please visit the risks section on our service page.

Typically, if your surgery is considered cosmetic in nature and does not have a related item number, private health insurance does not cover this surgery. If the surgery is being considered to address significant developmental differences, changes from previous trauma, or to relieve nasal obstruction, then a Medicare item number may apply to the surgery and there may be some cover of this procedure through private health insurance.

Sun exposure can adversely impact early wound healing and have an adverse effect on the pigmentation and long-term quality of you scar(s). All scars should be protected from sun until they are mature, which may not be until one-year post-surgery. A spray tan is okay after a few weeks (once the wound is healed).

Pain following surgery will vary depending on the extent of surgery. Pain immediately after surgery may be reduced by the use of local anaesthetic at the surgical site given during the surgery. The pain will also be managed with tablets or injections as required. Physical measures such as the dressings and supportive garments as well as limited movement and possibly ice packs will all help minimise any pain. Pain is usually well tolerated within a few days after surgery with all these measures. If your pain is increasing following surgery this is usually a sign that you may need a review to ensure your recovery is proceeding as expected.

Dressings and supportive garments will offer support to the wounds and the areas of your body that are still recovering. You will be also be advised to restrict excessive movement of the surgical area in the first two weeks after surgery. A good general rule throughout your recovery is if an increase in movement or activity does not increase any discomfort or swelling, then it is probably safe and this gradual progression back to ‘normal’ will be encouraged.