Reasons for Breast Implant Exchange include:

• Implant rupture
• Capsular contracture (aggressive scar tissue which forms a capsule around and implant and deforms the breast over time)
• Desire to change saline implants to more natural-feeling silicone implants
• Desire to correct less severe but still bothersome cosmetic aspects of the breasts such as implant rippling, thinning breast skin, palpable implants
• Desire for a bigger or smaller implant

A breast implant exchange can be as simple as removing the old implant and replacing it with a new implant of similar size. It can also be much more complicated depending on what needs to be corrected. Recovery is usually quicker than the first augmentation surgery since the patient has already had a prior implant.

What is the process of Breast Implant Exchange?

To begin the journey you will meet with Dr. Lee for a free consult. His consult days are generally Tuesdays and Thursdays. Allow for about 40 minutes. During the consult Dr. Lee will listen to all your concerns, do a thorough examination, answer your questions and offer you his recommendations. You will also be given a written quote after the consult. 

If you decide to move forward with surgery his scheduling staff will find you a surgery day and then a preoperative appointment about two weeks before the surgery date where you will meet with the nurse and go over pre and post op instructions, sign consents, get prescriptions and make your final payment.

Surgery will be done either on premises at our fully accredited surgery center, NW Portland Plastic Surgery Center where you will go under IV sedation, also known as twilight anesthesia or in some cases at CSS (Center for Specialty Surgery) an outside surgery center under general anesthesia. This will be decided at your consultation at the recommendation of Dr. Lee. 

What is the Recovery time for Breast Implant Exchange?

You will go home the same day as your surgery and then come back for a two day and then a one week post op appointment. Healing and follow up will continue. There is a one week downtime recovery with restricted activity after that. Dr. Lee will advice at your post op appointments regarding when you can resume work, exercise and normal activity.