5 Signs You Need To Replace Your Silicone Breast Implants4 min read
Dr. Phillip Chang
Board Certified By The American Board of Plastic Surgeons.
Voted Top Plastic Surgeon in Loudoun, Virginia
Offices in Leesburg, Virginia.
So, you’ve had a breast augmentation, and your girls look great. But it’s been a little while since your procedure. Wondering if it’s time to get your silicone breast implants replaced? Do they even need to be replaced? Read below for 5 reasons why your breast implants may need attention!
1. Your silicone breast implant hurts
Are your breasts uncomfortable, tingling, tender, sore, swelling, or burning? These are only a few symptoms that could mean your implants are suffering from capsular contracture. Capsular contracture happens when scar tissue develops too thickly around the silicone, contracting tightly around the implant. This can cause physical discomfort that, if left untreated, can make moving, breathing, and sleeping uncomfortable. Capsular contracture can be treated by medications, deep massages, surgery, or implant replacement. A visit to your beauty surgeon will help determine what treatment is right for your breast pain!
2. Your silicone breast implant is moving or rotating
If your silicone breast implants feel like they’re too low on your chest, feel like they’re in your armpits, are uneven, or smooshed between your chest to create a “uniboob”, you may want to see your doctor about a breast implant replacement. The silicone gel can soften to liquid silicon at warm body temperatures, making it easier for the silicon implant to move around when it shouldn’t. This movement is called is called migrating. A beauty surgeon can fix this with a breast augmentation or replacement.
3. Your silicone implants have ruptured (even without you knowing!)
Since silicone implants are thicker than saline implants, it’s difficult to know whether they’ve ruptured. Often, the rupture goes unnoticed for years since the gel will stay within the silicone shell. This is called a silent rupture. Fortunately, silent ruptures in implants are not thought to cause cancer nor long term health complications. Make sure to monitor your breast implants regularly for subtle bruising, knots, thickness, contour change, or shape change. Visiting your doctor every few years will help you keep an eye on your silicon breast implants to make sure they’re in the best condition they can be!
4. Your breast implant is wrinkling or rippling
While it isn’t common, silicone breast implants can develop wrinkles or ripples that can be felt under the skin. In silicone breast implants, wrinkles usually form after menopause or after pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. They can also occur if a you have a highly active lifestyle. If you see unnatural wrinkles on your breasts or feel ripples in your implants, you may want to ask a doctor about getting a replacement.
5. You’re unhappy with your breast implants
One of the most common reasons women get breast implant replacements is simply because they are unhappy with the size, often wishing they had gone bigger. A consultation with your beauty surgeon will help decide what breast implant shape and size is right for you! If you aren’t happy with your current implant size, it’s a good time for a breast revision.
Our VECTRA 3D IMAGING technology can help you visual the breast implant size you want before surgery!
"I thought I had to replace my saline breast implant every 10 years?"
Many women believe that silicone breast implants need to be replaced every ten years. While this is not true, it is a good idea to see your beauty surgeon for a consultation once your breast implants have aged. Since silent ruptures can happen with silicone implants, it’s good to check with your doctor on the health of your breasts and make certain the silicone isn’t leaking anywhere it shouldn’t. Regular checkups will help ensure that your breasts are as healthy as they can be!
Let us help you!
If you have further questions or concerns about breast implant replacements, we invite you to come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Chang or one of the cosmetic laser and injection nurses. To find out more whether Aesthetica can help you, contact us online or at 703-729-5553 to arrange an appointment.
Dr. Phillip Chang is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Northern Virginia near Leesburg, Virginia and an expert in a wide variety of cosmetic treatments.
NOTE: We don’t take insurance or work with insurance companies. Patients pay for the surgery upfront and we provide them with a superbill, and other documents they may need to apply for reimbursement.
Let Us Help You!
Our office can provide you will helpful information, schedule a free consultation, and walk you through the process of your procedure.
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