Implant Exchange with Capsulectomy and Mastopexy in Raleigh, NC*

Breast implants are not expected to last forever and in fact the vast majority of women with breast implants will need additional surgery in the future. Although there is no clear-cut recommendation for implant exchange, it is not uncommon to have the implants replaced every 10-20 years. This 70-year-old woman had previous silicone gel breast implants in the 1980s with subsequent rupture in the 1990s. She had them replaced with saline implants but then went back to silicone gel implants. Ultimately, she never had the appropriate appearance of her breast and developed somewhat high riding breast implants and drooping or breast ptosis over the implant. She was noted to have a firmer breast consistent with a capsular contracture and wished to have implants exchanged to a very similar size and a breast lift. Dr. Lyle performed implant removal where she was found to have intact implants but encapsulated. The capsules were removed in their entirety and the implants exchanged to similar size implants. She had Allergan SSM Implants placed with a mastopexy. Because of the significant capsulectomy she did require drain tubes for 1 week postop but recovered well and was very pleased with the improved appearance of her breast. Capsular contracture occurs fairly frequently especially with history of prior breast implant problems. The newer silicone gel implants seem to have a reduced risk of capsular contracture with less leakage and a more cohesive structure.