Breast implants are likely to need replaced after a period of time, although they are designed to last for more than a decade. Generally, this will happen 10 to 20 years after being inserted, although every patient is different.

Re-augmentation can be needed for a number of reasons – perhaps the person wants larger or smaller implants, or due to ageing or changes in weight the position of the implants has changed. Or complications may have occurred, such as capsular contracture (scar tissue hardening around the implant), rippling or wrinkles in the implant which are visible on the breast, or a ruptured implant.

Having your implants removed and renewed can bring a number of benefits:

• Providing relief from complications such as leaking or ruptured implants or capsular contraction.
• Can change the size of your breasts if you feel they’re too big/too small
• May enhance the aesthetic look of your breasts by repositioning them
• Can restore symmetry
• Can boost your self-confidence

Just as with all surgical procedures, revision breast surgery carries risks and possible side effects as well as benefits. They can include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Scarring
• Asymmetry
• Loss of sensitivity
• Hardness in the breast
• Creasing, folding or rippling of the implant

Breast re-augmentation is carried out under general anaesthetic, and so you’ll be asleep for the duration of the procedure.

Your surgeon will begin by making incisions. The positioning of these will depend on the changes that are being made to your breasts. They will remove your existing implants and replace them with the new ones, before stitching the incisions closed. They’ll then wrap bandages around your chest.

The cosmetic appearance of your breasts could be enhanced by repositioning your implant if they have dropped (called ‘bottoming out’), they have dimples or ripples because of the implant, or they have moved or rotated, creating an uneven appearance.

Breast re-augmentation can also help to provide relief from complications associated with the original implants, such as capsular contraction, leaking or rupturing. And if you have felt like your implants are too large or too small, re-augmentation may be able to rectify this.

Following your surgery, you are likely to have bruising and swelling on your breasts and chest area, which may last up to 3 weeks. Your breasts will probably feel tender and tight, and you’ll be given pain relief after your procedure to help manage this.

Although your breasts may sit high up on your chest, they will need time to heal and will settle during the first 6 weeks post-surgery, when they will drop and feel softer. You shouldn’t submerge your wounds in water until they heal. It may take up to a year for your final results to become apparent, and during this time your scars will heal and become less noticeable.