February 23, 2018 Rex Moulton-Barrett

Approximately 50% of women will request revision breast surgery at some point after breast augmentation and even a greater number after breast reconstruction.

Why is this? Clearly scar tissue around the implant, called a ‘capsular contracture,’ is the most important cause. Other common causes include, implant mal-position, breast and/or nipple/areola asymmetry with or without size discrepancy, breast pain, rippling, desire for greater or lesser volume, replacement of an aged implant and anxiety regarding potential side effects including constitutional ‘disease’ with implantation.

Breast Implant Replacement

Implant replacement is recommended by the FDA every 10 yrs after silicone gel augmentation or reconstruction. The reason for this is that there is insufficient data to support that the newest so called ‘gummy bear’ or ‘cohesive gel’ implants will not rupture over a lifetime. Older data suggests that after 10 years, the shell, which holds the silicone, becomes more prone to fracture.