The expert explains which situations require the replacement of the breast implant
Prosthetic mammoplasty is an operation that uses silicone implants to modify and enlarge the breast, making it more harmonious and proportionate to the rest of the body. According to information from the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP), Brazil is the second country that performs the most mammoplasties in the world, second only to the United States.
Validity of the prosthesis
With the high numbers of adherents to the technique, several doubts also arise on the subject. According to Regis Milani, plastic surgeon Member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, one of the biggest insecurities of patients who have breast implants is not knowing exactly when it will be necessary to perform the replacement.
“The older implants, made in the 1960s and 1970s and early 1980s, were filled with liquid silicone. 10 to 15 years, depending on the brand,” says the doctor.
According to him today there is no longer an expiration date for silicones. “Prostheses have evolved a lot since then, and for some decades now they have been filled with highly cohesive silicone gel and their outer capsules are much more resistant. There is no longer any formal indication for replacement due to age of implants,” he explains.
When to change the silicone prosthesis?
There are some situations that lead to the need to change the prosthesis for some patients, as listed below by the plastic surgeon:
1. Capsular contracture
Even with high quality prosthetics and the best surgical techniques, there will still be situations where implants need to be replaced. According to Google Trends, searches for “capsular contracture” have increased by 300% in recent months. The term refers to the hardening of the capsule that forms around the prosthesis. This is because any silicone placed into the body will cause a reaction from the body.
“This capsule becomes thicker and stiffer over the years, which can cause distortions in shape and even pain in the breast. When the contracture reaches these levels, these collagen capsules need to be removed and the implants replaced,” she explains. Regis Milani.
two. prosthesis failure
According to Régis Milani, another situation which may generate the need for replacement is the breakage of the prosthesis. “Implant rupture, while very rare and rare, is one of the situations that will require replacement of prostheses. Currently, the silicone which fills the prostheses is a very cohesive gel, therefore, when the external capsule of the prosthesis breaks, it will not leak into the body”, says the specialist.
In these cases, the surgeon’s advice is to always keep the information sheet of the prosthesis. Many brands offer a lifetime warranty on the product, and when a tear or contracture occurs, some companies replace the prosthesis. The person doesn’t have to worry about this extra expense, just with the surgery.
3. rippled
Another cause of replacement needs is wrinkling. Régis Milani explains that this problem occurs when the undulations and folds of the implants become evident in the breasts. “Normally, it occurs in very thin patients, when there is already some degree of capsular contracture. In this case, in addition to changing the prostheses, it is also necessary to change the plane where these implants will be placed”, adds the surgeon.
4. Aesthetics
The doctor points out that exchanges can also occur for cosmetic reasons, for example:
- Poorly positioned, too mediated or too lateralized prostheses;
- When the woman no longer identifies with the volume of the implants, which may seem too small or too large for the patient’s new moment;
- In the cases of flaccidity of the breasts, which are common when the woman suffers from the accordion effect or after pregnancy or breastfeeding. «An operation called mastopexy or breast lift may be indicated. And, at that moment, the replacement of the systems ends up being indicated», concludes Régis Milani.
By Sara Monteiro
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
