Silicone breast prosthesis replacement or renewal surgery is a plastic surgery operation in which the existing silicone breast prosthesis is removed and replaced with a new silicone prosthesis in a person who has previously had “breast augmentation surgery with silicone implants”.
Silicone breast prosthesis replacement surgery can be performed completely due to the aesthetic preferences of the patient, although it is not a necessity, or it is also performed as a necessity due to some medical and aesthetic complications.
When deciding on the shape, surface feature and size of the newly placed silicone implant, many factors are taken into consideration, depending on the reason for replacing the silicone.
How is silicone prosthesis replacement (renewal) surgery performed?
Just like your breast augmentation surgery, it must be performed in a hospital environment and under general anesthesia. Depending on the plan and your problem, it may take between 1.5-3 hours. Sometimes it can be done without removing the capsule, by expanding it, and sometimes by removing the capsule and narrowing the pocket. In some cases, supramuscular prostheses can be removed and placed on the submuscular plan. These details are the issues that your doctor who will perform your surgery will tell you before the surgery.
• New prosthesis placement with silicone prosthesis replacement surgery
It is perhaps the most frequently performed surgery among silicone prosthesis replacement surgeries. The old silicone breast is removed by making a 3.5 cm incision from the fold line and can be replaced in the same capsule, sometimes with a larger one (the capsule is slightly expanded), sometimes with a smaller one (the capsule is removed and limiting stitches are placed). Almost none of the problems similar to the first surgery, such as muscle pain and pressure, come to the fore. Drains are rarely used and a hospital stay may be required.
If this surgery is planned as a result of capsular contracture, the capsule is definitely removed and a new silicone prosthesis is placed according to the plan. Drain and hospital stay may be requested for 1 night.
Is silicone prosthesis replacement (renewal) surgery necessary?
No. The replacement of silicone breast prostheses is not necessary unless you have a problem or problems, which you will read a little later, do not develop. The first silicone breast prosthesis was performed in 1963, and since then, millions of women have used silicone breast prostheses for a lifetime without any problems. Issues that may occur infrequently are discussed below.
What is the lifespan of silicone breast prostheses?
Before the 2000s, this period was defined as 10 years and was accepted by many manufacturers, doctors and patients. Although it is remembered in this way even today, the developing technology shows that this period is a lifetime unless there is a health problem. Many companies now give a lifetime warranty on the silicone prostheses they produce.
What are the Reasons for Silicone Breast Prosthesis Replacement (Renewal)?
• Requesting a prosthesis that is larger or smaller than the current one.
• Requesting a prosthesis that is different from the current one (such as a round model instead of a drop model).
• Demanding a prosthesis with a different surface feature than the current one (such as a flat-surface prosthesis rather than a rough-surfaced prosthesis).
• Replacing a prosthesis that was placed many years ago with a new model silicone prosthesis even though there is no complaint.
• Renewing the implants during breast lift surgery.
• Rupture of the silicone prosthesis (silicone rupture).
• Capsular contracture development around the silicone prosthesis.
• Slipping, displacement of the Silicone Prosthesis on the anterior chest wall (if the prosthesis is too large and needs to be replaced with a smaller one).
• The development of rippling in the breast (if a change in the size or surface properties of the implant is required).
The breast shape obtained after breast augmentation surgery with a silicone implant is not permanent for life. Over the years, there will be shape changes in the breasts due to factors such as the effect of gravity, pregnancy and weight gain and loss. Moreover, women’s understanding of breast aesthetics may change over the years and they may want a larger or smaller breast than they are.
Is Silicone Breast Prosthesis Replacement Surgery Mandatory?
If you do not have any complaints and no problem is detected in routine breast MRI controls, it is not mandatory to have a silicone breast prosthesis replacement surgery.
How Do Weight Changes Affect Silicone Prostheses?
Changes in body weight, such as excessive weight gain or weight loss, do not directly affect the silicone prosthesis, but affect the breast tissue on the prosthesis and the aesthetic appearance of the breast. In cases of weight gain, breast sizes increase even more. In cases of weight loss, the risk of the implant being noticed from the outside increases as the tissue covering the prosthesis will become thinner.
Moreover, in people who gain and lose weight frequently, the ligaments that hold the breast skin and breast tissue in place become more loose and sagging is observed. Breasts that already have some sagging due to gravity and implant weight over the years, this sagging is more and a “breast lift”, recovery surgery is needed.
Should silicone breast prostheses be removed before getting pregnant?
No. Before, during and after pregnancy, some changes occur in the breast tissue and skin, not in silicone breast prostheses. Silicone breast prosthesis stays in place. It is not affected by hormones and breast growth. It does not cause a functional problem.
Do silicone breast prostheses pass into milk?
Silicone breast prosthesis cannot pass into milk. Silicone breast prostheses are structures with memory and surrounded by a thick layer. It is placed under the muscle tissue under the breast tissue in the female body, and it stays in a membrane called a capsule. It has nothing to do with breast tissue. It cannot mix with milk.
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