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Female Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Replacement Perth

Breast implant replacement is a procedure undertaken for various personal and medical reasons. Some patients seek to change the size, shape, or type of their implants to align with their current body proportions or lifestyle. Others consider replacement to address issues such as implant rupture, capsular contracture, or changes in breast tissue that occur over time.

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Reasons for surgery
Our Philosophy
Surgical Process
Methods and Options
Aftercare and Recovery
Risks

Why You may consider this surgery

add-volume-img Increased Volume
Improved-physical-comfort-img Address Physical Comfort
Correct-Previous-Implants-img - Breast implant removal page icon 1 Correct Previous Implants
reshape-breasts-img - Breast reduction page icon Address Breast Shape

Reasons for Having Breast Implants Replaced

Breast implant replacement may be considered due to the natural lifecycle of implants, as they are not designed to last indefinitely. Medical recommendations on implant longevity and advancements in implant technology also play a role in the decision to replace implants.

In some cases, implant replacement is performed to address complications such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, or asymmetry. The procedure can also reshape the breasts or increase volume, depending on the patient’s goals. Dr Anh Nguyen ensures that each patient’s motivations and concerns are thoroughly discussed, providing clear and comprehensive information to support informed decision-making.

Dr Anh Nguyen’s Philosophy on Breast Implant Replacement

Dr Anh Nguyen takes a personalised approach to breast implant replacement, tailoring the procedure to suit the unique anatomy, preferences, and goals of each patient. She understands that the decision to replace implants is deeply personal, influenced by individual circumstances and considerations.

Dr Nguyen provides a supportive, non-judgmental environment where patients can openly discuss their motivations and expectations. She prioritises informed consent, offering detailed information about the procedure, potential risks, and options available. This approach ensures that patients feel supported and confident throughout their journey, from the initial consultation to recovery.

The Surgical Process

The surgical process for breast implant replacement begins with a detailed consultation to determine the patient’s goals and the most suitable method of replacement. On the day of surgery, old implants are carefully removed, and the chosen replacement option is performed under general anaesthesia.

Incisions are typically made in the same locations as the original surgery to minimise additional scarring. Dr Anh Nguyen ensures precision and attention to detail throughout the procedure, prioritising patient safety and alignment with the surgical plan.

Options Following Implant Replacement

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Replace with Implants

Replacing old implants with new ones allows for adjustments in size, shape, or material. This option can address both aesthetic preferences and the need to update implants in line with advancements in technology.

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Replace with Fat Transfer

Fat transfer provides an alternative to implants for those seeking a natural method to increase breast volume. This technique uses the patient’s own fat, harvested from another area of the body, to change breast size and shape.

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Hybrid Approach: Implants and Fat Transfer

The hybrid approach integrates the structural support of implants with the additional volume and contouring achieved through fat transfer. This approach is tailored to achieve specific adjustments in breast shape and volume.

Aftercare and Recovery

Aftercare is a critical phase following breast implant replacement. Patients receive detailed post-operative instructions, including guidance on caring for incision sites, managing discomfort, and adhering to activity restrictions to support healing.

Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress and address any concerns that may arise during recovery. Dr Anh Nguyen and her team provide ongoing support to ensure patients feel confident and well-informed throughout the healing process.

Risks Associated with the Procedure

As with any surgical procedure, breast implant replacement carries potential risks. These include:

  • Reactions to anaesthesia
  • Changes in breast or nipple sensation
  • Infection at incision sites
  • Scarring
  • Asymmetry in breast size or shape
  • Bleeding (haematoma)
  • Fluid accumulation (seroma)
  • Potential need for revision surgery

Dr Anh Nguyen adheres to strict safety protocols to minimise these risks. During consultations, she discusses these potential complications thoroughly to ensure patients are fully informed before proceeding with the procedure.

Breast Implant Replacement FAQ

What is breast implant replacement?

Breast implant replacement is surgery to remove your existing breast implants and insert new ones in the same operation. It is sometimes called implant exchange or revision augmentation. Depending on your situation, the scar capsule around the implant may also be adjusted or partly removed.

Dr Anh Nguyen performs breast implant replacement in Perth for patients whose implants have reached the end of their working life, who have developed a problem such as rupture or capsular contracture, or who simply want a different size or shape to the one they chose years ago. Where implants are taken out and not replaced, that is breast implant removal, which is a separate procedure.

Do breast implants need to be replaced every 10 years?

No. Implants are not lifetime devices, but there is no rule requiring replacement at ten years. The figure comes from long-term safety data showing that roughly one in five patients need some form of revision within a decade, which also means about four in five are still tracking well.

If your implants are comfortable and intact and you are happy with how they look, there is usually no reason to replace them to a schedule. What matters more is staying aware of changes and having them reviewed if something feels different. Dr Anh can assess your implants and talk through whether replacement is worth considering in your case.

How would I know if my implant has ruptured?

It depends on the type of implant. A saline implant usually deflates noticeably over a day or two, so the change is obvious. A silicone implant can rupture with no outward sign, often described as a silent rupture, and may only be picked up on imaging.

Ultrasound is generally the first test used to check an implant, with MRI kept for cases where the ultrasound is unclear or symptoms suggest a problem. Mammograms can sometimes show a rupture but are not reliable for it. If you have noticed a change in one breast, it is worth having it looked at rather than waiting.

What are the signs that my implants may need replacing?

The changes most worth acting on are a breast becoming firm, hard or painful, a visible change in shape or position, one breast deflating, new rippling or folds you can feel, or ongoing discomfort. Any of these are reasons to have your implants reviewed.

Not every change means surgery is needed. Some settle on their own, and some turn out to be unrelated to the implant itself. Dr Anh will examine you, arrange imaging if it is required, and explain whether replacement, removal or simply monitoring is the sensible next step. Bring any details you have about your original surgery to that appointment.

Can I change the size, shape or type of implant?

Yes, in many cases. Replacement is a common point at which to adjust size, move between round and shaped implants, or change implant type. How much you can change depends on your existing breast tissue, skin quality, the pocket the implants sit in, and what your chest can safely support.

Going smaller is usually more straightforward than going significantly larger. Larger implants place more load on skin and tissue that has already been stretched once, so Dr Anh may suggest a more modest change than you first had in mind, or a lift alongside replacement. This is worked through with measurements at your consultation.

Will I need a breast lift at the same time?

Sometimes. If your skin has stretched or your breasts have dropped since your original surgery, replacing the implant on its own may not lift the breast back up. Adding a lift repositions the nipple and tightens the skin so the new implant sits where you want it.

A lift is more often recommended when patients downsize, because a smaller implant leaves more loose skin behind. Combining a lift with replacement adds scars and makes the operation more complex, so it is not advised automatically. Dr Anh will tell you plainly whether a lift would make a meaningful difference in your case.

Will the scar capsule be removed when my implants are replaced?

Not always. Every implant sits inside a capsule of scar tissue, and in many replacements the capsule is left alone or only partly adjusted to reshape the pocket. Where there is capsular contracture, a rupture or an abnormality, removing some or all of the capsule may be recommended.

Removing capsule tissue adds time and complexity to the operation, so it is done for a clinical reason rather than by default. Where capsule tissue is removed, it is usually sent for testing. Dr Anh will explain what she expects to do and why before surgery, and what may change if something unexpected is found during the operation.

I have textured implants. Should I have them replaced because of BIA-ALCL?

Not on that basis alone. BIA-ALCL is a rare lymphoma linked mainly to some textured implants, and the current Australian position is that women who already have these implants do not need them removed unless there is a confirmed diagnosis. The risk to someone without symptoms is very low.

What is recommended is awareness. Persistent swelling, a fluid collection or a lump appearing in the breast years after surgery should be assessed promptly. The Therapeutic Goods Administration publishes current Australian information through its breast implant hub, and Dr Anh discusses BIA-ALCL as part of the consent process for any implant surgery.

Is recovery quicker than my first breast augmentation?

Often, though not always. A straightforward implant exchange through existing scars, with no capsule work and no lift, tends to be more comfortable than the original surgery because the pocket already exists. Recovery takes longer when capsule removal, a lift or a change of pocket is involved.

As a general guide, patients having a simple exchange are often back to desk work within about a week, with upper body exercise held off for around six weeks. A more complex replacement follows a timeline closer to a first augmentation. You will be given activity limits based on the operation you actually have.

How long should I wait before having revision surgery?

If you are unhappy with a recent augmentation, waiting at least six months and ideally twelve is usually advised before considering revision. Implants need time to settle, swelling has to resolve, and the tissues need to soften before anyone can judge the final result fairly.

The exception is a genuine problem such as infection, bleeding or a clear complication, which is dealt with as it arises rather than after a waiting period. If you are within that first year and concerned, a review appointment is still worthwhile, even if the outcome is to wait and reassess later.

Will Medicare or private health insurance cover implant replacement?

Only in specific medical circumstances. Medicare item numbers for removing and replacing a breast implant apply where there is a medical complication such as rupture, migration of silicone or symptomatic capsular contracture, and where documented evidence supports it. Replacement carried out to increase breast size is not covered.

The criteria are strict and include imaging or photographic evidence held in your records. Most patients who had cosmetic augmentation and simply want an update will not meet them. Where no Medicare item number applies, private health funds generally will not contribute either. You will receive a written quote covering surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital and implant costs after your consultation.

What records should I bring, and is there a warranty on my implants?

Bring whatever you have about your original surgery: implant size, type and shape, the date, where the implants sit and who performed it. Most manufacturers provide some form of warranty against rupture, so it is worth checking what applies to your implants before you book.

If you no longer have those records, replacement can still go ahead and the details simply help with planning. Implants placed in Australia are recorded in the Australian Breast Device Registry, which is another route through which details can sometimes be traced. Dr Anh’s team can guide you on what to ask for and where to look.

This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. All surgery carries risks, which Dr Anh Nguyen will discuss with you during your consultation. A referral from your GP, at least two pre-operative consultations and a seven day cooling off period are required before surgery. Individual results vary.

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Dr Anh Nguyen

MBBS (HONS) PGRADDIPSURGANAT FRACS (PLAST)

Dr. Anh Nguyen is a member of several esteemed professional organisations, underscoring her commitment to the highest standards of surgical and patient care. Some of her affiliations and recognitions include:

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Dr Anh Nguyen, Perth Female Plastic Surgeon 5

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Ready to take the next step or have questions? Reach out to our friendly team. We’re here to guide you on your aesthetic journey.

(08) 9322 2659

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