Purpose | Removing existing breast implants and replacing them with new ones to address implant ageing, rupture, capsular contracture or changes in size and shape. |
Recommended for | Individuals with ageing or ruptured implants, capsular contracture, implant displacement, or those who wish to adjust implant size, shape or projection. |
Surgery time | Breast implant exchange is typically performed under general anaesthesia and takes approximately 1 to 2 hours, depending on whether additional procedures such as capsule treatment are required. |
Hospital stay | Most patients are admitted as a day surgery or require a short overnight stay, depending on the surgical facility and individual circumstances. |
Recovery | Light daily activities can usually be resumed within 1 to 2 weeks. |
Breast implants are designed to be durable, but they are not considered lifetime devices. Over time, some patients may choose to replace their implants due to changes in personal preference, implant ageing or implant-related concerns.
Breast implant exchange is a surgical procedure that removes existing breast implants and replaces them with new ones. The procedure allows adjustments to implant size, shape or material while addressing any structural changes that may have developed since the original breast augmentation. As such, it is sometimes considered a form of revision surgery.
Patients may seek implant exchange for a variety of reasons. Some wish to change the size or projection of their implants, while others may need replacement due to implant rupture, capsular contracture or implant ageing.
Through careful evaluation and personalised surgical planning, breast implant exchange can help maintain breast appearance, restore comfort and align results with a patient’s evolving goals.
Patients choose breast implant exchange for different medical and personal reasons, such as:
The procedure can provide several potential benefits depending on the patient’s concerns and treatment goals, including:
Breast implants may require evaluation or replacement if certain changes occur over time. Some common signs include:
In many cases, implants remain stable for many years. However, if any changes are noticed, a medical assessment can help determine whether monitoring, implant exchange or another treatment approach is appropriate.
The exchange surgery involves removing the existing implants and inserting new implants while carefully preserving the surrounding breast tissue. During the procedure, your surgeon will often use the original incision site whenever possible. This helps minimise additional scarring and allows direct access to the implant pocket.
Once the existing implant is removed, the surrounding capsule tissue is assessed. Depending on the capsule’s condition, our surgeon may adjust or partially remove it to improve implant positioning.
A new implant is then placed into the breast pocket, either the same pocket that the implant previously occupied or placed in a a different pocket, depending on the surgeon and patient’s discussion The implant may be the same size as before or adjusted according to the patient’s goals. The surgical approach is personalised to ensure that the new implants sit naturally within the breast while maintaining symmetry and balance.
In some cases, implant exchange alone may not fully address changes that have occurred in the breasts over time. Depending on the condition of the skin and breast tissue, surgeons may recommend combining implant exchange with other procedures.
Some of the possible combined procedures are:
Breast implant exchange follows a similar process to the original augmentation, with the addition of a thorough evaluation of the existing implants and surrounding tissue at each stage.
During the initial consultation, our surgeon reviews your implant history, including implant type, placement and any symptoms you have noticed. Breast anatomy and skin elasticity are assessed to identify whether additional procedures may be needed to achieve the best outcome. Implant options, incision planning and expected recovery are discussed in detail before any decisions are made.
Breast implant exchange is performed under general anaesthesia. Dr Pearlie removes the existing implants, assesses the capsule and positions the new implants with attention to symmetry and natural placement.
Some swelling and mild discomfort are normal in the early recovery period. A supportive surgical bra is recommended as the breasts heal and the new implants settle. Swelling gradually resolves over the following weeks, with the final breast contour becoming more defined as healing progresses.
Implant exchange surgery is performed as a single procedure where the existing implant is removed and the replacement is inserted during the same operation. Combining both steps is standard practice, as the surgical site is already accessed and the patient is under general anaesthesia. That said, there are exceptions where a two-stage approach is warranted:
Recovery after breast implant exchange focuses on allowing the tissues to heal while supporting the new implants.
Patients are typically advised to:
Most patients can resume light activities within a short period, although full healing and implant settling may take several months.
The cost of breast implant exchange may vary depending on several factors, including:
At Pearl Plastic Surgery, the cost of a breast implant exchange generally ranges from $8,000 to $15,000 depending on the complexity and whether a breast lift is done concurrently. A personalised estimate is usually provided during consultation after assessing the condition of the implants and the desired outcome.
During the appointment, Dr Pearlie will assess your current implants and breast tissue condition while taking into account your desired aesthetic outcome. This allows a personalised surgical plan to be developed, whether implant exchange alone or combined procedures may be most appropriate. Book a consultation with us for a detailed assessment and personalised treatment plan.
Most implants last 10–20 years, though many people keep them longer without issues. The FDA previously recommended replacing them every 10 years as a precaution, but this is no longer the standard advice, and replacement is now generally recommended only if there’s a problem.
Yes, implant exchange allows patients to increase or decrease implant size or choose a different implant shape or projection.
In most cases, surgeons use the original breast augmentation incision to access the implants. This helps minimise additional scarring.
Recovery is often similar to breast augmentation, with many patients resuming light activities within one to two weeks. Final implant settling may take several months.
Implant exchange replaces the existing implants with new implants, while implant removal (link to breast implant removal) removes the implants without replacing them.
During breast implant exchange, patients may choose from several modern implant options depending on their goals and anatomy. These commonly include silicone gel implants, which are known for their natural feel and cohesive gel implants, which are designed to maintain their shape while providing soft tissue support.
Implants are also available in different sizes, profiles and shapes, allowing adjustments to projection and breast contour. During consultation, our surgeon evaluates your breast anatomy, existing implant pocket and aesthetic goals to recommend the most suitable implant type.
A breast implant exchange may be considered by individuals who:
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