As mentioned, this is among the most common reasons women choose to have a breast implant exchange. Over the course of a woman's life her breasts change and there are times when she may wish for bigger, or smaller, implants. While most women elect to have larger implants, there are also women who choose smaller implants as well (though much less frequent). In most cases, the surgery to change the size of the breast implants is more straight forward and easier to recover from than the initial surgery. The reason for this is that the surgical pocket (the space created for the breast implant) has already been created and the breast tissue and skin have stretched out to accommodate the current implant. For exchanges to larger implants, the pocket may be expanded. It is unusual, but for exchanges to smaller breast implants, the pocket may need to be tightened and made smaller. In either case, it is usually less painful and easier to recover from than the initial breast augmentation.
Breast Implant Deflation
Saline breast implants can leak. When this occurs, the saline slowly leaks out and the implant deflates. The saline is the same fluid used in "IVs" and consequently this does not pose a health risk. However, the affected breast will get smaller as the fluid is slowly absorbed. The treatment for this is to replace the implant. It is quite helpful for this reason for women to keep records regarding their breast augmentation. Specifically, they should receive a card at the time of surgery that states the make, model, and size of the implants. Treatment involves removing the ruptured implant and replacing it with a new one. The opposite breast does not require treatment unless the implants have been in for a considerable amount of time, in which case it may be prudent to exchange that implant as well, or if the patient wishes to change size.
To talk more about replacing your breast implants or a possible implant deflation, take the next step: request a FREE Breast Augmentation Consultation now and call us at 216.227.FACE. You can visit the Western Reserve Center for Orofacial and Cosmetic Surgery at our convenient locations in Canton and Cleveland, Ohio or complete the form and one of our representatives will call you within 24 hours!
