Change of Implants

Doctor Sapena, 54 6B

03013 – Alicante
674 642 653

Avenida del Mediterraneo 3, bajo

03503 – Benidorm
674 642 653

HLA San Carlos

03700 – Dénia
674 642 653

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As the years pass after a surgery where an implant has been used, means that inevitably, at some moment in the patients life, they will need a new surgical intervention. If you have had a breast augmentation or a breast lift with implants or any other surgery with implants, its most probable that you will need, another intervention as time passes. The causes are many, but we will try to do a brief summary so that you can have some general knowledge.

The first cause of an implant change, and the most frequent, is due to a breakage or fault of the outer area of the implant. As the patient ages this produces a parallel ageing of the implant, and although the implants are designed to last many years, the time that the implants stay whole is uncertain. We dont know when they will fail, but we do know that the longer the implants are in the patients body, the more possibilities that a fault may arise. In general we consider that an implant should last between 15-20 years. An implant if it breaks, the patient may not notice anything, athough others say that that something felt different which is why they have come to see us.

To know if the implant has broken, is very simple, quick and economic, to get an ultrasound scan. This scan gives a great deal of information. But, its also true, that the most trusted test, that confirms if the implant has broken or not, is an MRI scan.

When a patient arrives to us with a broken implant, we can do various options, due to the situation of the breasts and the preferences of the patient. On one hand, we can just change the implant, nothing more. This is called Simple change of implants. Using the same incision from the prior surgery, therefore causing no new scars, both implants are removed, the area is cleaned and new implants inserted. The patient is usually discharged after the surgery to go home. In these cases a larger implant can be inserted if the patient so wishes, or a change of the shape of the implant, from round to anatomical or viceversa.

In other cases, making the most of the opportunity, we can do a breast lift at the same time, as in numerous occasions, the breast enlargement was done many years ago and due to the ageing of the patient, they may ask for a breast lift. In this case it would be a change of implants plus breast lift.

Another option possible, would be to a definite removal of the implants. The patients usually older, know that, inevitably they will have to undergo another operation and at this age, where other illnesses can appear, which can make difficult or impede another intervention. We need to consider the definite removal, an explant, which is to remove the implants, the breasts are emptied and in many cases we need to do a reconstruction of the remaining tissue so to adjust it to a good aesthetic result. In this situation, we are up against an explant with breast lift.

Duration of the intervention

1 hour

Hospitalization

24 hours. Outpatient for a simple change of implants.

Time off work

7 days for office work. 15 days for anything more strenuous.

Exercise

After 4 weeks you can start light exercise. After 3 months for any kind of sport.

Scars

In the fold of the breast or in the areola. With Urgotouch laser we can obtain better results.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see how I will look before I have the surgery?

If the change of implants is simple, the result will be the same as you had before. The implant can be changed from round to anatomical, so there will be a change of shape. We have a system, that with a series of external implants we can simulate the final result. We can change the size, the height and the projection of this, so that you can see how much volume you will have and also the bra size, from as soon as your first consultation.

When can I return to work?

You need 15 days of rest so the scars are strong enough to brace an active life. If your job requires a lot of movement, we recommend to wait for a couple more weeks after surgery before returning to work.

Where will the implants be placed?

We tend to insert the implants in the same place as the former ones, although there are other things to take into consideration, such as the presence of rippling, capsular contracture, asymmetry etc etc. We will inform you of each and every possibility.

When can I do exercise? Lift weights?

You can carry out exercise and lift heavy objects one month after surgery. If you can, I would recommend to not lift weights in the gym as this implies the use of the pectoral muscles, until at least three months have passed.

Can I fly by plane immediately after the surgery?

You can travel no problem by plane after the surgery. The implants do not explode nor anything similar.

How can I check if my prothesis are in perfect condition?

By carring out a mammary ultrasound is ususally sufficient to know if everything is ok. In any case we have a protocol of check ups and the necessary tests depending on the time that has passed since your surgery. We will give you instructions of how to continue as the years pass.

Do I need to use a special bra after surgery?

We recommend that you use a sports bra during the first month after surgery. After this, and until 3 months after surgery, we recommend any bra, but without underwire. From your third month revisión you can wear any bra that you wish.

Your first consultation

At the first consultation, which is free and non compromisal, you will speak with our doctors. They will ask a few questions about basic health background and you can comment about what type of result you would like, what type of chest you are looking for. You can have a try of the implants so that when you leave you know how you will look. They will explain the surgical technique, the types of implants, the risks, the benefits and the costs. This consultation, can be in person or by video phonecall. You are in no way obliged, nor pressured, to fulfill the surgery after this informative consultation. Our team of surgeons will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

The day of surgery

The change of implant surgery, is an intervention done under general aneasthetic and requires one nights stay in the hospital. You will be given a room upon arrival and then you will be taken to the operating theatre, where our doctors will speak with you and respond to any last minute questions. You will meet the rest of the surgical team, nurses, auxiliares etc. Photos and a video will be taken. We will mark the anatomy areas to be treated, they will explain once again where the incisions will be made. You will be given aneasthesia so there is no pain from the operated areas during your hospital stay. The organised incisions will be made and the pocket designed is accordance with the implant chosen as planned, and if a reconstruction is needed this will also be done as planned.Once the hemostasis is done, the implant is placed and the wound is closed. At this time we can use the laser Urgotouch so that the scar is less visible. The stitches are dissolvable so they do not need to be removed. Its not usual for drainage to be fitted. You will leave the operating theatre with a compressive bandage so that your breasts inflame the least possible.

At home

You will be accompanied by our team at all times, during your recuperation. You will have the compressive bandage as placed after the surgery which we will change at the next consultation, three or four days after surgery, and we will supply you with a sports bra which will need to be worn for the first month. You will need to take antibiotics and painkillers. Its normal that you may have some bruising which will disappear with the recommendations that we will give you. Our surgeons will tell you, how long before you can return to work. Also, when you can return to exercising or when you can drive again. Its better not to smoke until a few weeks have passed, as tobacco causes the scarring to take longer. The bruises and inflammation will reduce and after a couple of weeks you will see the final result. You will always have a contact telephone number, so you can call if you need anything, also in English.

Check ups

All of the check ups until given the all clear, are included in your quote. The patients return to our clinic 3-4 days after surgery, once discharged from the hospital. The next visit is a week after surgery, two weeks after, one month later, at three months and then finally at six months later and anything else you may need until the all clear is given. All of the check ups and cures are done by our plastic surgeons. The will dedicate all of the time necessary for you to feel comfortable and guided at all times. You will have the use of a telephone number to contact us with anything you need, also in English. If its the case that you are in another country, the frequency of the check ups is exactly the same, but obviously they will be done telematically

¿Why Valverde & Arpino?

Free non compromisal consultation with your plastic surgeon.
Official titled plastic surgeons, members of the Spanish Society of Plastic, Repair and Aesthetic Surgery and collegiates of The Official School of Doctors Of Alicante. www.secpre,org and www.coma.es
Surgeries in private hospitals with all measures of safety. We have agreements with Hospital Clinica Benidorm, Hospital HLA San Carlos Denia, Hospital HLA Vistahermosa and Hospital Vithas Internacional Medimar.
Follows ups and post surgery control carried out exclusively and directly by plastic surgeons.
Safety comes first. Complete pre operation tests carried at centres of reference.

All plastic surgery is destined to improve how the patient sees themselves. The patients will feel better, after seeing the improvement. It will lift their self-esteem. Their self-confidence also. If you feel better about yourself, others will notice this and you will enter a positive spiral to want to look after yoursel more, to be healthier. All this results in a greater mental health. After many years and thousands of patients, we can say, that this will also happen with you.

Valverde & Arpino