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cosmetic surgery
Breast Implant Revision
A breast implant is a prosthesis used to change the size, shape, and contour of a person's breast. In reconstructive plastic surgery, breast implants can be placed to restore a natural-looking breast following a mastectomy, to correct congenital defects and deformities of the chest wall or, cosmetically, to enlarge the appearance of the breast through breast augmentation surgery.
Quick Facts
- Price range
- Varies by clinic
- Recovery
- Varies
- Sessions
- Varies
- Category
- cosmetic surgery
- Anaesthesia
- Varies
- Min. stay abroad
- Varies
- Price Range (International)
- Varies by clinic
- Average Recovery
- Varies
- Typical Sessions
- Varies
- Category
- cosmetic surgery
Overview
Breast implant revision is surgery to correct, replace or remove existing breast implants. A breast implant is a prosthesis used to change the size, shape and contour of the breast, placed either cosmetically to augment the breast or reconstructively to restore a natural-looking breast after mastectomy or to correct congenital chest-wall defects. Revision surgery addresses problems that can develop with indwelling implants or with an earlier reconstruction, for example implant rupture, capsular contracture (hardening of the scar capsule around the implant), asymmetry, visible wrinkling, malposition, or a wish to change the type or size of implant. Implants are made with different fillers, principally sterile saline solution or viscous silicone gel, along with structured and composite designs, and that choice can be revisited at revision. Because implants are not regarded as lifelong devices, removal or replacement is sometimes needed; a substantial proportion of augmentation and reconstruction patients require explantation by the ten-year mark. Specific complications such as capsular contracture and capsular rupture are monitored with physical examination and periodic MRI, and the findings often guide whether revision is warranted. A revision may involve exchanging the implant, adjusting or removing the surrounding scar capsule, or removing the implant altogether. Like the original operation, it carries the general risks common to surgery as well as complications specific to breast implants.
Key Considerations
Common Risks
- Capsular contracture (hardening of the scar capsule around the implant)
- Implant rupture or deflation
- Hematoma (post-operative bleeding) or seroma (fluid accumulation)
- Infection or breakdown of the incision site
- Altered breast or nipple sensation
- Asymmetry, visible wrinkling or thinning of the breast tissue
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare lymphoma linked to certain textured implants
Credentials a clinic should hold
Specialty-board certifications and facility-level accreditations relevant to this procedure. Verify on the issuer's public register before booking — most issuers publish a searchable directory.
ISAPS member surgeon
Issuer International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Individual surgeon membership; requires national-board certification in plastic surgery plus peer endorsement.
Verify on the issuer's register →National plastic-surgery board certification
Issuer Country-specific (e.g. ABPS in US, BAAPS in UK, SBCP in Brazil, KSPRS in South Korea, ASPRS in Australia)
Specialty-board certification in plastic surgery from the surgeon's country of practice. The single most important credential for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.
Verify on the issuer's register →
Recovery Timeline
Average recovery for Breast Implant Revision is 0 days. Individual recovery varies — always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.
- 01Day 0–1
Immediate
First 24–48 hours post-procedure. Monitoring, anaesthesia recovery, initial pain management. Most clinics expect you to remain on-site or nearby.
- 02Day 2–2
Early recovery
Wound care, swelling or bruising peaks, restricted activity. Typical window for follow-up visits and drain removal if applicable. Travel is usually not advised.
- 03Day 3–3
Intermediate recovery
Gradual return to non-strenuous daily activity. Many international patients fly home during this window. Surgeon may require medical clearance for long-haul travel.
- 04Day 4–0
Full recovery
Return to full activity, exercise, and work. Final results may still be settling. Final follow-up with local doctor recommended.
Questions to Ask Your Clinic
Browse all destinations offering Breast Implant Revision →Detailed cost breakdown →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is breast implant revision?
It is surgery to correct, replace or remove existing breast implants. It can revise the outcome of a previous augmentation or reconstruction, address a complication, or exchange implants for a different type or size.
Why do people need implant revision?
Common reasons include implant rupture, capsular contracture, asymmetry, visible wrinkling, malposition, or a desire to change implant size or type. Monitoring for problems such as contracture and rupture uses physical examination and periodic MRI.
Are breast implants permanent?
Implants are not considered lifelong devices. Roughly 20 percent of women who had cosmetic implantation, and about 50 percent of those who had reconstruction implantation, required removal of the implants by the ten-year mark.
What is capsular contracture?
Capsular contracture is a hardening of the scar capsule that the body forms around an implant, and is one of the specific complications of indwelling implants. It is one of the problems that revision surgery may be performed to treat.
How are implant problems detected?
Complications specific to implants, such as capsular contracture and capsular rupture, are monitored with periodic MRI scans and physical examinations. These assessments help determine whether revision surgery is needed.
What are the main risks of revision surgery?
It shares the general risks of surgery, such as reaction to anaesthesia, hematoma, seroma and infection, along with implant-specific issues including capsular contracture, rupture, altered sensation, asymmetry, and rarely BIA-ALCL.
Conditions treated
Clinical conditions for which breast implant revision is a treatment-ladder option.
Related Procedures
Other cosmetic surgery procedures in our registry