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Breast Implant Change
There are several reasons why women may want to have their breast implants changed. Aesthetic aspects in particular often play a central role. For example, many women no longer like the shape or size of their breasts after a few years.
The personal definition of a visually beautiful appearance changes over time. Thankfully, there is a possibility to change implants after a breast augmentation with implants.
If you would like to have your breast implants replaced, Dr. Sattler’s plastic surgery practice is the right address in Hamburg. As with all surgeries offered in our practice, Dr. Sattler will have a detailed consultation with you. He personally examines and consults with you to discuss your preferences. Dr. Sattler will also discuss possible limitations, risks as well as alternative treatment methods with you. Based on this, he will create an individual treatment as well as an aftercare plan for you, based on the latest findings and methods of plastic surgery.
Dr. Sattler is one of only a few plastic surgeons in Northern Germany with the additional qualification “Breast Medicine (Senology)” and is a member of the “German Society for Senology (DGS)”. So you are in the best of hands.
Before the operation, it is recommended to have an ultrasound of the breasts. In some cases, a mammogram may be useful and in special cases, an MRI.
Well advised and in the best hands
You are not sure whether a breast implant change is an option for you? Our experts will be happy to advise you in advance and answer any questions you may have about breast implant replacement and the procedure.
Excellent Breast Surgery
Feel free to call our practice “Plastic Surgery Dr. Sattler” in Hamburg to schedule a consulting appointment. Or use our contact form.
+49 4031171253 Mon – Fri: 10 a.m – 5 p.m.
1. Reasons for a Breast Implant Change
In most cases, women seeking implant replacement would like to have a different appearance. This can mean larger or smaller breasts. The shape of the breasts can also be adjusted by using new implants. For example, many women want round breasts instead of teardrop-shaped breasts – or just the other way around. This depends entirely on your own taste, which can change over the years.
It is also often the case that women want larger breasts after gaining weight. For example, after pregnancy, but also simply after natural weight gain over time. In this case, new, larger implants can contribute to a natural and feminine self-image by accentuating the female curves in the breast area as well. At an older age, on the other hand, larger implants can be replaced with smaller, more inconspicuous implants to match the overall appearance.
Also find out about the possibility of a breast lifting – the additional straightening of the breasts can complete the final result. Dr. Sattler will be happy to advise you in this matter.
Medical Reasons for a Breast Implant Change
Many women are wondering: How long does a breast implant last and when, if ever, does it need to be changed?
Dr. Sattler works with implants from premium manufacturers that offer a free manufacturer’s warranty. Normally, an exchange is not necessary. It may still make sense to get consequential loss insurance. In addition to the aesthetic aspects mentioned above, there may also be medical reasons for an exchange.
Touch Up of a Previous Breast Surgery
For example, another doctor may not have done a perfect job or used inferior implants in your previous breast augmentation. It is possible that a perfect result was not achieved from a medical or even aesthetic point of view, or that the operation took place a very long time ago. Even in such cases, Dr. Sattler can help you and improve the result. For this purpose, he removes the old breast implants and replaces them with new ones, which are chosen exactly according to your wishes.
Tissue Removal and Change of Position of the Implants
Sometimes tissue must be removed in addition to the old implants. For example, if this is severely thickened and scarred or contaminated by leaked silicone. In these cases, it might be useful to change the position of the new implants completely. This means that if the old implants were above the pectoral muscle, the new ones are inserted below the pectoral muscle.
Implant Dislocation, Capsular Contracture and Implant Recall
Another reason for breast implant replacement may be implant dislocation. However, slipping of a correctly inserted breast implant occurs only rarely, for example after a serious fall or car accident.
Implant replacement may also be appropriate in the setting of higher grade capsular fibrosis, especially if there is pain in the breast. The premium implants used by Dr. Sattler have the lowest capsular fibrosis rate of all manufacturers and the producer provides a free guarantee against capsular fibrosis.
Other reasons for changing implants are recalls of implants by the manufacturer or by the relevant regulatory authorities.
Dr. Sattler also offers several solutions for women who generally want their breast implants removed. An attractive option is, for example, breast augmentation using autologous fat transfer.
It should also be emphasized that the replacement of the implants is usually less painful than the initial surgery. Many patients therefore experience the procedure as less stressful, even if it sometimes takes longer than the first operation.
You want to change your breast implants?
Feel free to contact our specialist plastic and cosmetic surgery practice in Hamburg to schedule your initial consultation.
+49 4031171253 Mon – Fri: 10 a.m – 5 p.m.
2. How are Breast Implants Replaced?
Just like the actual breast augmentation, the breast implant exchange is performed under general anesthesia. In the majority of cases, the same scar can be used as for the first procedure. This ideally prevents further scarring from occurring. Even thickened or retracted scars can be corrected during the second procedure.
The procedure is similar to the breast augmentation surgery. The new implant is placed either under the pectoral muscle or under the mammary gland. Sometimes the old implant capsule must be scored and widened to allow enough room for a larger new implant. If the capsule is thickened, it is removed in parts or completely if, for example, silicone has leaked. In cases of severe contamination or significant bleeding tendency, drainage tubes must rarely be inserted as well.
Dr. Sattler will discuss the exact procedure with you in advance. This is then adapted to the intraoperative findings to achieve the best possible and at the same time safest result for you.
After the old implants are replaced, the wound is closed with self-dissolving sutures. This eliminates the need to pull the stitches.
You will receive more detailed information about the surgical procedure in your specific case during your consultation with Dr. Sattler. There are several rules of behavior you should commit to as part of your breast implant procedure with Dr. Sattler. Click here to access the rules of behavior.
3. Breast Implant Change: Aftercare
Wearing a support bra for several weeks is recommended, especially when changing to larger implants. Your breasts will be swollen after surgery, but the swelling will go down relatively quickly. The final result of the breast implant change surgery will be visible after only a few weeks.
A healthy and balanced diet with plenty of protein is recommended for proper wound healing. At the same time, you should avoid exhausting activities such as sports for a while. Dr. Sattler will discuss the details of the follow-up treatment with you personally.
Results of exchanged implants
You can find results of exchanged implants in our gallery.
4. Breast Implant Change: Results
The results of breast implant replacement are permanent when premium implants are used. However, even after an implant replacement, your breasts will continue to age, just like the rest of your body.
For legal reasons, we are not allowed to show before/after pictures of a breast implant change at this point. However, this is possible during a personal consultation with Dr. Sattler.
5. Breast Implant Change: Costs
The cost of implant replacement is not a fixed price. The costs depend on various individual factors such as the effort and duration of the procedure as well as the specification of the new implants. The costs will of course be discussed with you in detail during the personal consultation.
Make an Appointment now
Feel free to contact our specialist plastic and cosmetic surgery practice in Hamburg to schedule your initial consultation.
+49 4031171253 Mon – Fri: 10 a.m – 5 p.m.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Breast Implant Change
The breast implants used by Dr. Sattler are premium products and the manufacturer provides a free warranty on the implants. The durability of breast implants is given according to the manufacturer. Replacement is not necessary, even after many years. Nevertheless, a breast implant change may be desired or necessary in the later stages of life for the reasons mentioned above. It may therefore make sense to take out follow-up cost insurance.
The Mentor® breast implants we use are fully vegan, crafted from premium medical-grade silicone without the use of any animal-derived ingredients. They are certified cruelty-free and adhere to the highest international safety standards, including CE marking and FDA approval. These implants are an excellent choice for patients seeking ethically sourced, vegan-friendly materials. Moreover, Mentor® provides a lifetime warranty on the implants, along with a 10-year guarantee against capsular contracture.
In theory, dislocation of the implants is possible. However, it is rare for a breast implant to slip out of place. Still it can happen e.g. in the case of unforeseen events such as car accidents or serious falls.
From a medical point of view, breast implant replacement is necessary in serious cases, among others. These include, for example, implant failure, higher degree capsular fibrosis with pain in the breast or recall of the inserted implants from the market. In the vast majority of cases, however, patients decide to replace the old implants for esthetic reasons.
Further Reading:
Dr. Sattler on jameda.de: Second breast augmentation: procedure, indication & costs
Dr. Sattler at focus.de: Breast Augmentation in Hamburg
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Use our request form to schedule a consultation for breast implant change.