Common Reasons For Undergoing Breast Implant Exchange Surgery

Posted on February 10, 2010 in Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Saline Implants, Silicone Implants

Replacing of a woman’s own implants for newer ones is referred to as breast implant exchange surgery which also is a category of breast revision surgery. The implants could have been originally placed for a breast augmentation, during a breast lift or in breast reconstruction.

There are several reasons why a woman would select this course of action with some of the most common ones being to:

1. change the size of the implant
2. alter the shape with regard to projection and width
3. change from saline to silicone implants or vice versa
4. replace an implant which has ruptured
5. change the implants as an incidental part of another breast issue such as drooping or capsular contracture

Usually the number one reason for a breast implant exchange is to obtain larger implants in order to have breasts that are significantly larger. Very uncommonly does a patient request going to a smaller size. In most of these situations, it is either because they were made excessively large initially by their surgeon or they gained a considerable amount of weight in the intervening period of time resulting in concomitant natural breast enlargement.

It is quite rare for my personal patients to desire different implant sizes and when they do, it is usually years later and often precipitated by another event such as an implant rupture. How is it that my implant exchange rate is very low? During my patient’s consultation, I listen carefully to their desires and concerns, take measurements, have them “try on” different implants as well as show them photographs of other patients that may be relevant for their situation. Finally, during surgery I will first use temporary “sizers” so as to precisely determine the perfect implant for them.

The relative proportions (profile) of the implant which affect the ultimate breast configuration, are also important. By explaining and offering different profile implants such moderate, high and super-high, my patients can realize the customized appearance they desire. For example, a patient who has a very narrow chest and wants a lot of projection but without excessive width, would benefit from a higher profile implant. A woman who is relatively broad, has a moderate amount of breast tissue and doesn’t want to be extremely large, would be better off with a moderate profile implant.

Finally, most of the patients that I see who have saline implants and are undergoing an exchange for whatever reason, switch to silicone implants. The reason is fairly obvious – they look and feel far more natural. Only in rare circumstances do they go from silicone to saline and it is never for aesthetic reasons.

For more information on breast implants, breast enlargement or any other plastic surgery procedure that I perform or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please contact my office at 480-451-3000.

Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona

Do Silicone Breast Implants Lower Your Risk for Developing Breast Cancer?

Posted on May 24, 2009 in Breast Augmentation, Breast Cancer, Breast Implants, Silicone Implants

You must be thinking that there has to be a typo here. If anything, from all the news media palaver in the past, it is the opposite that must be true. Actually, this is the right question and it does have an unexpected answer.
Silicone breast implants have been subjected to more scrutiny and studies over the years than any other medical device. Several of these looked at any possible association of the long term presence of silicone breast implants with the development of breast cancer by evaluating large numbers of women over many years. The results were shocking but consistent: there is a statistically lower risk of developing breast cancer in women who have had these implants long term. This finding has been reconfirmed by many studies in diverse locations around the world.

The most recent research published in January 2009 in the International Journal of Cancer revealed the results of a epidemiological study of over 6200 Swedish and Danish women who had a mean duration of implantation of over 16.5 years with thirteen percent having them in excess of twenty five years. The findings identified a statistically significant reduction of risk of developing breast cancer of 27%. Previous studies conducted in the United States have shown decreased risks as high as 37 to 53%.

Why women with silicone breast implants have a lowered risk of developing breast cancer is unclear and has been the subject of much conjecture. However, this is fantastic news both for women who are considering a breast augmentation and those who already have silicone implants. When discussing breast enlargement with my patients, I try to put this all in perspective. I do not tell them that if they elect to have silicone breast implants, their risk for breast cancer may be decreased. Instead, I let them know that at a minimum there is no evidence that having silicone breast implants will increase their chances for developing breast cancer.

Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona

Breast Implants in Breast Augmentation: How Long Do They Last?

Posted on March 13, 2009 in Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants, Silicone Implants

If you have breast implants, don’t you wish that they would last forever? Although this would be wonderful, they are not lifetime devices and will probably need to be replaced sometime in the future. Many of my patients here in the Scottsdale, Glendale and the Phoenix area are under the impression that breast implants need to be replaced every ten years. Fortunately, this is not the case. The silicone gel implants manufactured today are much better than previous generations. There have been many technological and manufacturing improvements including a thicker and more durable outer shell that is virtually impermeable to any silicone migration.

They also are filled with a much more cohesive silicone gel. As a consequence, it is possible for many silicone gel breast implants to last 20 to 30 years or more. In an ongoing prospective scientific study overseen by one of the silicone implant manufacturers, Allergan, it was noted that there is a rupture rate of 2.7% at 4 years after breast enlargement surgery.

Saline breast implants deflate, on average, much earlier and at a significantly higher rate as compared to silicone implants. This has been borne out by my personal experience of over twenty years at the Arizona Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Textured saline implants do not fare nearly as well as the smooth surfaced ones.

There are many other factors that can influence the lifespan of the implants aside from whether they are silicone or saline. Some of these include the presence or absence of surface texturing, size of the implant, manufacturer of the implant, size and location of the incision for insertion, surgical technique, mammograms and trauma. Each one of these issues can be discussed in more detail during your consultation.

Breast enlargement is extremely rewarding for the vast majority of women who have had the procedure. Just realize that although the breast implants are generally quite durable, they typically will not last forever.

For much more information or to schedule a thorough consultation for a breast augmentation, breast lift with implants or other cosmetic procedures, you can contact Dr. Turkeltaub at 480-451-3000.

Smooth(left) and textured(right) silicone implants