BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON IN RENO

Breast Implant Exchange is a surgical procedure involving the replacement of older breast implants. Some women seek to exchange their breast implants not because there was a complication, but because they’re not happy with the general outcome and want to make an adjustment. Implant exchange shouldn’t be confused with breast implant revision surgery. Revision surgery could be necessary for reasons such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, asymmetry, and the like.

For exchange procedures, there isn’t anything wrong with your implants, but there are reasons for wanting to switch them out. Here are some of those reasons:

• Change the size — Many women have augmentation, but once the implants have fully settled into the breast pocket they realize they would have liked to have chosen larger implants. Some women, of course, opt to go smaller. Dr. Dahan has an implant sizing system that allows you to have a very accurate visualization of how different implant sizes will look on your figure.
• Pre-baby breasts — If a woman had augmentation prior to having a child, the breast tissue likely has sagged and she’s not happy with the changes to her implants. Larger implants can add volume and change things.
• Change the feel — There are various factors that impact how a woman’s breasts feel with implants: silicone versus saline, volume of the implants, projection, and whether the implants were placed under the pectoral muscle or above it.
• Change the implant type — Changing the projection, shape, textured versus untextured, saline versus silicone, or even the manufacturer can all be reasons for an exchange.
• Changes in your breasts — The march of time is inexorable, and that includes your augmented breasts. Older implants may not look the same now that your breasts have descended a little bit. Different implant types can address the changes you don’t like.

Ideal candidates for this procedure are those in overall good health but unhappy with the size, shape, or appearance of their current breast implants. If at least ten years have passed since a patient’s last implant procedure, now would be a great time to change their implant's size, shape, and appearance. Candidates must keep realistic expectations about how their breast implant exchange results will look. Candidates should also be able to maintain a stable weight to prevent altering the appearance of their breast implant results due to sudden weight gain or loss.

If you are currently pregnant, nursing, have breast cancer, or have an active infection, a breast implant procedure may not be suitable for you.

This is the number one reason women come to Dr. Dahan to exchange their implants. It is simple to enlarge the breast pocket if you want to add more volume to your implants, which is the usual choice. But if you feel your implant size is too large, he can decrease the pocket, as well. If the downsizing is dramatic, however, sagging skin can be an issue and Dr. Dahan may also suggest a breast lift.