Implant Revision and Replacement

    CHICAGO, IL, January 07, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- If you have breast implants, chances are you know how they have benefited your life. You may have been self conscious about your body before, which can lead to low self-esteem and diminished sense of self in public, or in private, with those that you love. Women get breast augmentation for a variety of reasons, both physical and emotional. However, like all medical procedures they carry some risk and don't last forever. The longevity of the implants must be taken into account and you may have to get an implant revision or replacement of your implants.

There are a variety of options for implant revision and replacement for the variety of reasons that women would need them done. Because implant technology has changed and improved over the last ten years, women whose implants are older may require more check-ups than women who just got implants recently. However, each woman's body responds differently to the implants and may affect your individual experience with your breast augmentation.

Removal
Removing implants may be the result of complications with your body rejecting the implants or you may just have decided that you prefer a breast reduction. Either way, removal of implants is done under anesthesia, and performed differently depending on how you are going to proceed.

Silicone implants are checked for rupture before removal in order to minimize the risk of infection. Because a pocket was created for the implants, if there is not going to be a replacement, your breast augmentation surgeon will carry out a breast lift or scar revision to help to restore the natural look of your breast.

If your implants are made from saline, they may be drained before removal. Typically, removal of implants takes less than one hour.

Replacement
If your implants are getting replaced, they should be done in one procedure, immediately after the removal of the original implants. They may be replaced for larger, smaller or similar sized implants, depending on your desire. Some replacements may be required because of damage done to the implant. If this is the case, your breast tissue will be examined carefully to determine whether or not they are suitable for replacements.

If the size of the implant is changing, getting smaller for example, your surgeon will discuss changing the pocket. Prior to your first breast implant, a pocket was created that fit the implant. If the new implant is smaller, it will not fit securely in the pocket and therefore it must be changed or a new pocket must be created.

Nursing and Menopause
Life changes can drastically affect your body. Whether you are a new mother nursing your baby or getting closer to middle age, your body reacts and responds to the environment you are in. Nursing your baby can change the shape and lift of your breasts, making them saggy and deflated. Young women who have had breast implants in their twenties still are able to breast feed their child with little to no effect on the milk, but the effects of nursing still may affect the overall look of the breasts.

Menopause creates a hormonal imbalance in your body that can also affect your breasts causing them to become saggy and tender.

If you have had breast implants and have finished nursing or are approaching middle age you may consider a breast lift to restore a more youthful looking figure. A breast lift is a procedure that reshapes the breasts to remove the saggy look and restore elasticity and volume.

If you live in Chicago, Illinois and are interested in learning more about breast implant revision and replacement, please visit the website of Dr. Otto Placik, MD, FACS.

Website: http://www.bodysculptor.com

# # #