Breast-implant-revision
Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision for capsular contracture, rupture, malposition, rippling, or size change. En bloc capsulectomy and pocket change available. Under TIVA. CQC-regulated Baker Street facility. From £4,500.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery in London
Breast implant revision surgery covers any secondary breast procedure involving removal, replacement, or repositioning of breast implants — whether to address a complication from the original augmentation, to change implant size or type, or to correct an unsatisfactory aesthetic outcome.
Revision breast surgery is technically more complex than primary augmentation. Existing capsule, scar tissue, pocket distortion, and altered tissue planes all present additional surgical challenges. It should only be performed by consultant plastic surgeons with specific experience in revision breast surgery working in a facility equipped to manage the full range of revision indications.
At Centre for Surgery, we offer the full range of breast implant revision procedures: implant removal, implant replacement, capsulectomy (partial, total, or en bloc), pocket change (subglandular to dual plane), revision combined with breast lift, and revision combined with fat transfer (hybrid augmentation). We also provide in-house high-resolution ultrasound scanning to assess implant integrity in patients who cannot undergo MRI.
Breast implant revision is performed by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register at our CQC-regulated Baker Street facility. All procedures are performed under TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia). A two-week cooling-off period applies after consultation.
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What is Breast Implant Revision Surgery?
The main types of breast implant revision — performed alone or in combination depending on the indication.
Breast implant revision is a broad term covering any secondary surgical procedure involving existing breast implants. It encompasses:
Breast implants do not have a fixed expiry date. Modern cohesive gel silicone implants can last 10–20 years or more without problems. However, the older the implant, the higher the cumulative risk of complications — particularly capsular contracture and structural changes in the implant shell. Patients whose implants are 10 years old or more should have them assessed — by clinical examination and imaging where appropriate — even if they have no current symptoms.
The Silimed implants used at Centre for Surgery carry a 10-year warranty covering capsular contracture and rupture. If your original implants were placed elsewhere, we can still assess and treat them.
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Reasons for Breast Implant Revision
In some cases, many women wish they had chosen larger implants for their first breast implant surgery. Our surgeons commonly hear this from women who have already had a breast augmentation and now prefer to go bigger. Less commonly, women may be surprised at how large their breasts look and wish to have smaller implants. Although breast implant replacement can help change breast implant size or shape, it is not as technically straightforward as primary breast surgery. If you want bigger breast implants, we recommend reflecting on the aspects of your appearance that you would like to alter instead of choosing larger-sized implants. Many women often like to have more cleavage, and choosing implants with a higher projection, also known as high-profile implants, may help to give the impression of enhanced cleavage and upper pole fullness without altering the dimensions of the implant. Some women often prefer to have increased lateral fullness of their breasts, and changing to implants with a broader base may help to give women more lateral fullness.
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What constitutes the ideal aesthetic appearance of the breasts often evolves, and having bigger breasts isn’t always the aesthetic ideal. For women who would like to have significantly smaller-sized implants, a breast lift or mastopexy may also need to be performed in the same procedure to address any sagging skin that has developed as a result of stretching out of the skin envelope by having large implants. If you have only had breast implants for less than a few years, then the skin’s elasticity may allow the breasts to undergo a degree of shrinkage around the new, smaller-sized implants. The extent of breast skin retraction around the smaller-sized implants is determined by overall skin quality. Individuals who have experienced significant fluctuations in weight or have undergone breastfeeding may be more likely to have poorer skin quality and therefore require a during the same procedure to tighten the skin.
is the most common complication after breast augmentation surgery with implants. The condition can develop as soon as three months after the procedure or as late as 20 years later. Based on current medical opinion, it is impossible to predict who will develop capsular contracture or when it will occur. Women who develop capsular contracture often notice their breasts feel hard, become deformed in appearance or may cause significant discomfort.
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More severe grades of contracture often require revision breast surgery. Surgery for capsular contracture most commonly involves the removal of the existing implant and the surrounding affected capsule, also known as an followed by replacement with a new implant. In some instances, your surgeon may create a new pocket for the breast implants and leave the existing capsule behind. The new implant is placed in a brand-new pocket, resulting in a speedy recovery. For women who have previously had a subglandular (over-the-muscle) breast augmentation, the risk of developing capsular contracture can be minimised by creating a new pocket beneath the pectoralis muscle (dual plane).
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Some women may have had several breast implant revision procedures to treat capsular contracture. The thickness of the soft tissues begins to diminish with repeated surgical procedures and may increase the risk of the implant or its edges being visible. The risk of implant rippling is also higher. The best option is to carry out while performing breast implant revision in the same procedure. This is also known as .
Despite successful treatment of capsular contracture, the condition can still recur despite following all the best guidance for prevention. Patients who develop severe grades of capsular contracture or have had multiple breast revision surgeries may be better suited to having polyurethane breast implants, as these have been shown to reduce the risk of repeated capsular contraction. Patients who smoke should be given help to stop smoking, as the prevalence of capsular contracture is doubled in smokers versus non-smokers.
Revision breast implant surgery will be required if the outer shell of a breast implant loses its integrity, which may lead to deformation of silicone implants. can be difficult to diagnose. Patients may experience pain or discomfort in the affected breast or notice a deformed appearance due to a ruptured implant.
MRI is the most appropriate diagnostic imaging investigation to diagnose silicone implant rupture. An MRI scan can assess the integrity of the outer implant shell and detect silicone that may have migrated into the surrounding tissues. An ultrasound scan is a suitable alternative for patients who are not keen on having an MRI scan. However, is highly operator-dependent and requires a skilled practitioner. Modern breast implants containing silicone have a very low risk of rupture of less than one per cent. Medical-grade silicone in the latest generation implants has a highly cohesive nature. This means that if a rupture occurs, the silicone does not leak out like a runny liquid; instead, it remains within the implant shell or the surrounding capsule.
Breast implants have a finite lifespan, which means that as breast implants age, they are more likely to develop breaches in the integrity of the outer shell, including minor cracks or larger tears. These will require revision breast implant surgery at the earliest opportunity to minimise the risk of complications occurring.
Types of breast implant malposition — bottoming out, lateral displacement, symmastia, and rotation.
The position of breast implants may change if the breast pocket is excessively large in a particular direction. Breast implants may migrate downwards or upwards. They can also migrate outwards towards the armpit or inwards, known as symmastia. The best way to prevent or minimise these issues is to ensure meticulous surgical technique is used throughout the procedure. Our consultant breast surgeons create breast pockets with precise dimensions to accommodate the size of your chosen implant. This helps to prevent implant displacement and possible malposition. Patients who decide on excessively large implants have a higher risk of developing implant displacement. Implants that are 500cc or larger are more likely to migrate downwards or outwards due to their heavier nature. Implants that are positioned over the muscle, also known as the subglandular approach, have a greater risk of downward displacement. Implants placed beneath the muscle are more likely to displace outwards.
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Breast implants can displace outwards towards the armpit, and this can result in a reduction in the appearance of breast cleavage. When people lie flat, it is normal for the breasts to move laterally. When people are standing or sitting, breast implants should not displace laterally. A large breast implant pocket from overzealous dissection or natural expansion with time can result in the implants migrating laterally to the sides, and is especially noticeable when lying down. Some women may have chest wall deformities, such as pectus carinatum. This condition creates an excessive curvature of the chest wall and increases the likelihood of lateral displacement of breast implants despite an appropriately sized breast pocket.
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When breast implants move medially or towards the sternum, this condition is known as symmastia, also referred to as a ‘uniboob’. Symmastia has a greater risk of occurring with subglandular placement of implants. It can, however, also occur from the excessive surgical release of the pectoralis muscle fibres in its inner aspect as part of the dual plane approach, combined with the insertion of an excessively wide breast implant.
Symmastia most commonly relates to an excessively large breast pocket in women who may have a pre-existing deformity of the chest wall, such as pectus excavatum. This increases the likelihood of breast implants migrating in an inward direction. Surgical treatment for symmastia is complex and challenging. Revision breast surgery involves adjusting the size of the pockets using suture reconstruction and changing to a smaller-sized implant with a slimmer base.
Double bubble deformity — the implant descends below the natural inframammary fold, creating a second crease.
A double bubble deformity is classified as a static deformity, as it is visible when the breasts are at rest. In this condition, the breast implant is positioned below the regular lower breast fold, resulting in the formation of an extra crease at a level lower than the breast implant. This produces a cosmetically unacceptable result in most cases. Causes of a double bubble deformity include excessively large implants, short nipple to IMF distance, capsular contracture, tuberous breast deformity or a well-defined inframammary fold. Surgery to correct a double bubble deformity is considered a technically challenging procedure. The exact surgical technique used will depend on the extent of surgical correction required.
Animation deformity — a dual-plane implant distorts on muscle contraction; corrected by moving the implant above the muscle.
Animation deformity results in implants migrating upwards and outwards with muscle contraction in patients who have breast implants placed beneath the muscle. The condition can occur due to both excessive and inadequate release of pectoralis muscle fibres along the breast bone, or may occur over time as the soft tissue begins to lose its thickness. The condition is more common in women with well-developed chest muscles who carry out upper-body resistance exercises. The condition can be corrected by repositioning the breast implant into a subglandular position above the muscle. The implant is replaced with a highly cohesive breast implant and may be supported in its position using acellular dermal matrix (ADM).
Patients who have insufficient soft tissue coverage over their implants are at risk of developing implant rippling. Women most commonly notice a wavy appearance, especially when they bend over. occurs more commonly with subglandular implant placement than with implants placed beneath the muscle. Textured implants, which have a lower cohesiveness or a softer feel, are more likely to develop rippling compared to smooth implants. The latest generation of highly cohesive anatomical implants has a low risk of implant rippling. When breast implants are placed on top of the muscle, breast implant rippling is most commonly seen within the inner aspect of the breasts and may look cosmetically unacceptable. Many women describe their breasts as looking fake when rippling affects their cleavage area. The best solution is to create a new breast pocket beneath the muscle and switch to highly cohesive, anatomically textured implants. Implant rippling may occasionally occur with submuscular placement of implants on the outer aspect of the breast, as the pectoralis muscle does not cover this area. The pectoralis muscle covers the inner aspect of the breasts, so any implant rippling is less visible with the submuscular approach. The best treatment for lateral implant rippling is to replace the implants with a highly cohesive, form-stable, anatomically textured implant.
Breast Implant Revision Before & After Results
All patients whose photographs appear below have given full written consent for the use of their images for educational purposes. Individual results vary depending on the indication for revision, technique used, and each patient’s anatomy.
Case 1 — Breast implant revision with implant exchange and capsulectomy for capsular contracture. Improved breast softness, shape, and symmetry following removal of contracted capsule and replacement with new Silimed implants.
Case 2 — Implant revision combined with breast lift. Implants exchanged and mastopexy performed simultaneously — correcting both implant-related issues and skin laxity from extended implantation period.
Case 3 — Revision for implant malposition and size dissatisfaction. Pocket adjusted and new implants placed with improved symmetry and positioning.
Case 4 — Hybrid revision augmentation combining implant exchange with fat transfer to upper pole. Improved natural contour and elimination of visible implant edges.
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What Does Breast Implant Revision Surgery Involve?
Capsule management options in revision surgery — intact, partial, total, or en bloc capsulectomy.
Breast implant revision surgery is performed as a day-case at our Baker Street facility under TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia). Duration varies from 1 hour for straightforward implant exchange to 3+ hours for complex combined procedures (capsulectomy with pocket change, revision with lift, or hybrid revision with fat transfer).
Existing incision sites are used where possible — typically the inframammary fold. This avoids additional scarring by reusing the established scar from the original augmentation.
Determined by the clinical indication. Options: capsule left intact (pocket change or straightforward exchange); partial capsulectomy (partial removal); total capsulectomy (complete removal — standard for significant capsular contracture); en bloc capsulectomy (implant and capsule removed as a single unit — for BIA-ALCL or patient preference for complete removal). A new breast pocket may be created in a different anatomical plane where required (e.g. pocket change from subglandular to dual plane to improve coverage or treat animation deformity).
Where the revision includes new implants, Silimed silicone cohesive gel implants are used — inserted using the Breast Funnel no-touch technique to minimise contamination and capsular contracture risk. Implant size and type is confirmed at your pre-operative appointment.
Breast lift: where significant skin laxity is present — particularly after extended implantation or after downsizing — a mastopexy can be combined with revision in the same session using lollipop or anchor incision depending on the degree of ptosis.
Fat transfer (hybrid revision): in patients with thinning overlying soft tissue after multiple revision procedures, or in lean patients, fat transfer over the new implant improves natural coverage and reduces visible edge and rippling risk.
All incisions are closed in layers with dissolvable sutures only. A post-surgical bra is applied before discharge. Drains may be placed in complex capsulectomy cases.
After the procedure, you recover in our monitored day suite before discharge with your responsible adult, post-operative medications, written instructions, and a direct 24/7 clinical support number.
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Recovery After Breast Implant Revision
Typical recovery timeline after breast implant revision — varies with the complexity of the procedure.
Recovery after breast implant revision depends on the extent of surgery. Straightforward implant exchange has a very similar recovery to original augmentation; complex capsulectomy with pocket change and concurrent lift has a longer recovery.
Return to desk work: 5–7 days. Discomfort typically mild — many patients find revision recovery more comfortable than their original augmentation as tissue planes are already established. Avoid heavy lifting for 2 weeks. Full exercise from 4–6 weeks.
Return to desk work: 7–10 days. Drains removed at 7–10 day wound check if placed. Avoid heavy lifting for 3–4 weeks. Full exercise from 6 weeks.
Recovery follows the more complex procedure — return to desk work 7–10 days; surgical bra for 6 weeks; full exercise from 6 weeks.
24/7 surgeon-led clinical support is available for the first 48 hours. Our nursing team calls regularly during the first two weeks.
Final settled result visible at 3–6 months as swelling resolves and any fat transfer integrates.
Breast Implant Removal, BII, and BIA-ALCL
Breast implant removal (explantation) options — with or without capsulectomy, lift, or fat transfer.
Not all breast implant revision involves replacement. Some patients choose to have their implants removed entirely — for a range of reasons including:
Patients experiencing systemic symptoms they attribute to their implants — including fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, and others — can discuss removal at consultation. Centre for Surgery takes BII concerns seriously and provides a non-judgemental clinical environment for patients exploring this option. Many patients report improvement after explantation.
Patients with textured implants who have concerns about BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) can discuss switching to smooth implants or removal and not replacement. Late-onset seroma (one-sided fluid collection around an implant appearing years after surgery) should be assessed urgently — do not delay.
Patients with textured implants who wish to minimise BIA-ALCL risk can have implant exchange to smooth Silimed silicone implants.
Patients who no longer want implants can have them removed — with or without capsulectomy. Depending on implant size and duration, concurrent fat transfer or breast lift may be recommended to improve post-explant appearance.
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0% APR finance is available through Chrysalis Finance — the UK’s leading specialist medical finance provider. Call to discuss your options.
How Much Does Breast Implant Revision Cost in London?
Breast implant revision pricing varies significantly depending on the procedure required. Revision surgery is generally more complex than primary augmentation and is priced accordingly.
Where implants being removed were Silimed implants originally placed at Centre for Surgery and are still within warranty for capsular contracture or rupture, the replacement implant cost may be covered by the warranty — your surgeon will advise at consultation.
A mandatory two-week cooling-off period applies after consultation. Your full itemised quotation is confirmed after your in-person consultation. Call to speak to a patient coordinator.
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Why choose Centre for Surgery for Breast Implant Revision?
Why patients choose Centre for Surgery for breast implant revision.
All breast implant revision at Centre for Surgery is performed by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register — members of BAPRAS and ISAPS. Revision breast surgery is more technically demanding than primary augmentation — it requires specific expertise in capsule management, pocket change, implant malposition correction, and complex concurrent procedures. We do not use cosmetic doctors or non-specialist practitioners for breast surgery.
We regularly see patients who had their original augmentation at another clinic — including overseas — and have developed complications. We assess and treat all patients regardless of where their original surgery took place.
We offer in-house high-resolution ultrasound scanning to assess implant integrity for patients unable to undergo MRI. This is a significant clinical advantage — patients can be assessed and planned without requiring an external imaging referral.
Straightforward exchange, partial/total/en bloc capsulectomy, pocket change, malposition correction, revision with lift, hybrid revision — all performed under one roof by the same surgical team.
Patients with BII symptoms or BIA-ALCL concerns receive a thorough, non-judgemental consultation. We do not dismiss these concerns, and we provide informed, balanced advice on the evidence base and options available.
Surgery takes place at our purpose-built private hospital at 95–97 Baker Street, Marylebone, independently inspected and rated "Good" by the Care Quality Commission.
All procedures use TIVA — the safest form of general anaesthesia for day-case surgery. Faster recovery, less nausea, quicker discharge.
A mandatory two-week cooling-off period applies after every consultation.
24/7 surgeon-led support for the first 48 hours. Wound check at 7–10 days. Surgeon review at 6 weeks. 3-month assessment.
Your initial consultation is £100, redeemable against the cost of your procedure.
FAQs
What To Expect
Your first step is a face-to-face consultation with your consultant plastic surgeon at our Baker Street clinic. Bring any implant records you have — brand, model, size, original surgeon — and any previous imaging. If you do not have records, bring what you can; we can work with clinical examination and arrange imaging as needed. Your surgeon will examine your breasts clinically — assessing capsule quality, implant position, overlying tissue thickness, skin quality, and degree of ptosis. They will review your history, the reason for revision, and your goals. Where clinical examination is insufficient to assess implant integrity — particularly for suspected rupture or BIA-ALCL — your surgeon will arrange imaging. We offer in-house high-resolution ultrasound scanning for patients who cannot undergo MRI. Your surgeon will give you a clear account of the appropriate revision approach, the planned technique, expected result, risks specific to your situation, and an indicative cost. For complex revision cases (multiple previous procedures, significant capsular contracture, poor tissue quality), the surgical plan will be discussed in specific detail. A mandatory two-week cooling-off period applies before surgery is booked. The initial consultation fee is £100, redeemable against your procedure cost. Further consultations at no additional cost if needed.
Once the two-week cooling-off period has passed, our pre-operative assessment team will confirm your medical fitness for surgery. Any outstanding imaging will be arranged at this stage. Stop smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery — smoking doubles the risk of capsular contracture and significantly increases wound healing complications. Stop for 4 weeks after surgery too. Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, and anti-inflammatory medications 2 weeks before. Review all supplements with your surgeon. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours before surgery. Fasting for TIVA: no food for 6 hours before surgery; clear fluids only (water, black tea without milk, black coffee) up to 2 hours before. Your pre-operative nurse will confirm your specific fasting times. Practical preparation: purchase a non-underwired sports bra in your current size — needed immediately after surgery. Prepare comfortable loose front-opening clothing. Set up your recovery space at home with elevated pillows and easy food. Arrange childcare and pet care for the first 5–7 days. Arrange a responsible adult to collect you and stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Arrive at our Baker Street clinic at the booked admission time. A nurse will admit you, check identification, review consent documentation, and record your vital signs. Your anaesthetist will confirm fitness for TIVA and prescribe pre-medications. Your surgeon will confirm the operative plan, mark any relevant landmarks on your skin, and obtain your written consent. TIVA is administered by your consultant anaesthetist. Once fully asleep, your surgeon accesses the implant pocket through an incision — typically through the original augmentation scar in the inframammary fold. The existing implant is removed and the capsule managed according to the planned approach (left intact, partially removed, totally removed, or removed en bloc with the implant). If a pocket change is planned, the new pocket is dissected in the appropriate plane. The new Silimed implant is inserted using the Breast Funnel no-touch technique. If concurrent procedures (lift or fat transfer) are planned, these are performed at this stage. All incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures. A post-surgical bra is applied. Drains may be placed for complex capsulectomy cases. Procedure duration: approximately 1 hour (straightforward exchange) to 3+ hours (complex combined revision). You recover in our monitored day suite before discharge with your responsible adult, post-operative medications, written instructions, and a direct 24/7 clinical support number.
24/7 surgeon-led clinical support is available for the first 48 hours. Our nursing team calls regularly during the first two weeks. Straightforward exchange: days 1–5 rest; mild discomfort managed with paracetamol; return to desk work by days 5–7; avoid heavy lifting 2 weeks; full exercise from 4–6 weeks. Exchange with capsulectomy: week 1 rest; wound check at 7–10 days — drains removed if placed; return to desk work 7–10 days; avoid heavy lifting 3–4 weeks; full exercise from 6 weeks. Revision with lift or fat transfer: recovery follows the more complex procedure — desk work 7–10 days; surgical bra 6 weeks; full exercise from 6 weeks. All patients: wear surgical bra continuously for 6 weeks; no smoking for 4 weeks after surgery; no aspirin or anti-inflammatories for 2 weeks; sleep on your back with head elevated for 2 weeks; dissolvable sutures only — no removal appointment needed. Surgeon review at 6 weeks. 3-month assessment with photography. Scars continue to fade over 12 months. For straightforward revision many patients find the overall experience significantly less uncomfortable than their original augmentation — tissue planes are already established and discomfort is typically milder.
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