Breast Implant Revision Cost and Procedure Guide

Breast implants may be long-lasting, but they don't last forever. At or around 10 years after receiving breast implants, many women opt to replace their implants and/or reshape the breast “pocket," according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.¹ Some breast implants have a warranty, which typically does not extend beyond 10 years, which is why women may opt to replace theirs at or before the 10-year mark.

Additional reasons to revise or replace breast implants typically include:¹

• Wishing to change the size of one's breasts
• Experiencing pain from capsular contracture (scar tissue)²
• Worries about implant rupture or migration of the implant
• A desire to change from saline to silicone or another style of implant

Breast Implant Removal vs. Revision

Breast implants can change over time, both in the density of the materials used and in their location inside the breast capsule. Some women may opt to have their breast implants removed completely, which reverses the augmenting effect the implants give. Reasons for this can include a desire to change the shape of the breasts; sometimes breast implants leak, and require removal for the patient's health and safety. Some breast implant removal surgeries involve the surgeon taking out silicone material from implant leaks and even scar tissue that may have formed.¹

A breast implant revision is a surgery to change, fix or correct an issue with existing breast implants for reasons ranging from a lack of welcomed results, to pain, to changes related to aging, such as sagging.²

How Often Should Breast Implants Be Replaced?

The expected life of a saline or silicone breast implant can range from 10 to 20 years.³ However, many women have them removed sooner due to complications — such as those we mentioned above — or a desire for cosmetic improvement. About 20% of people get their breast implants replaced or removed within eight to 10 years.³

Signs your breast implants may need revision or replacement

Signs that it's time for a breast implant revision surgery can include:²

• Pain or discomfort. Sometimes breast implants can cause pain from such conditions as capsular contracture (scar tissue), damaged lymph nodes, a seroma (fluid build-up), pinched nerves or even simply improper implant placement.
• Implant rupture. Traumatic events, such as a car accident or injury, can cause an implant to rupture — particularly saline implants. To prevent infection and keep the shape of the breast, revision surgery may be necessary.
• “Bottoming out" of an implant. In some women, particularly those with larger breasts, and sometimes as a result of aging, when the skin and tissue cannot support the breast implant, it can fall below the breast crease, or "bottom out."
• Movement or rotation of an implant. In rare cases, an implant can shift, particularly if the implant pocket is too big. This is called implant displacement, and needs revision. Additionally, symmastia, a condition where implants merge in the middle of the chest, can occur when too much tissue is removed near the breastbone, causing muscle detachment.
• Change in implant shape. Age and gravity can occasionally cause one breast implant to change shape, making the breasts look different from one another.
• Capsular contraction. In some cases, the body reacts to the breast implant as a foreign object and creates excessive scar tissue around it, known as capsular contracture.
• Displeasure with the shape of breasts. If, for any reason, a woman does not like how her implants look, she may choose a revision.

Breast Implant Replacement/Revision Consultation

Before you have a breast implant replacement or revision, you'll have a consultation with your surgeon. Your surgeon will assess your surgical goals, your physical health and medical conditions, as well as any medications you take. They'll examine and photograph your existing breast implants and discuss the options, risks and likely outcomes of your surgery.¹

Breast Implant Replacement/Revision Preparation

Once your surgery is scheduled, if your surgeon feels it's necessary you may have to get lab tests such as blood work, implant imaging such as a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI. Your medications may be adjusted or new ones added. If you smoke you will be advised to stop, and to avoid anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as other herbal supplements.¹

Breast Implant Replacement/Revision Surgery

Like any surgery, your breast implant revision or replacement will most likely be performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgery clinic, under general anesthesia. You will need someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.¹

Anesthesia

You will be hooked up to an IV where you will receive general anesthesia, which puts you to “sleep" so that you don't feel any pain. General anesthesia can take more recovery time than intravenous anesthesia.¹

Incisions

Your surgeon will discuss with you what type of incision they plan to use for your surgery. Some possibilities include:¹

• Inframammary incision. This is an incision made in the crease under the breast.
• Breast lift incision. This is either a vertical incision or a Wise pattern incision (an “inverted T").⁴
• Peri-areolar incision. This incision runs part way or all the way around an areola.

Once the breast implant has been removed or replaced, your surgeon will close your incision with sutures, skin adhesive or tape.

After surgery

It's normal for there to be swelling after surgery, and this will make it hard to see the initial results until the swelling goes down. That can take up to six weeks. Sometimes, true results won't be known for as much as six to 12 months.⁵

Swelling and pain are normal, though your surgeon will discuss pain management options with you. However, signs of concern include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pains
• Unusual heart beats

Benefits of Breast Implant Replacement/Revision

The benefits of breast implant replacement or revision surgery include correcting problems or pain, and achieving the precise look and feel of your breasts that make you feel good in your skin.¹

Breast Implant Replacement/Revision Risks¹

• Anesthesia risks
• Asymmetry
• Breast-implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma or other very rare cancers in the capsule around the breast, such as breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC)
• Bleeding
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Hematoma
• Infection
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Persistent pain
• Poor healing of incisions
• Recurrent looseness of skin
• Skin loss
• Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
• Suboptimal aesthetic result
• Unfavorable scarring

Signs of Infection

Though surgeons do everything they can to make sure that no new bacteria is introduced into your body during a breast implant replacement or revision surgery, there is still a risk of infection. Symptoms of an infection can include:⁶

• High fever and breast pain
• Redness
• Swelling.

If antibiotics don't treat the infection, you may need a follow-up surgery to clean out infected tissue or the implant, if you still have one.

Recovery

After surgery, you can expect to have gauze bandages or dressings on your incisions, and this may affect the kind of support bra you can wear as you heal. In some cases, you may require a small, thin tube to be placed temporarily under the skin to drain excess blood or fluid. Be sure to get clear instructions from your surgeon on how to care for your incision site, and when to follow up.¹

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends asking your surgeon the following questions:¹

• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
• Will there be drains? For how long?
• When can I bathe or shower?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow-up care?

How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost?

The average cost of breast implant removal surgery is $3,049.⁷ However, note that this is only part of the total cost — it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. Please consult with your plastic surgeon's office to determine your final fee, which could be more realistically between $7,000 and $15,000.⁸

How Much Does Breast Revision Cost?

The average cost of a breast implant revision is $8,200, but more accurately it ranges from $4,200 to $18,000, according to 7,795 patient reviews on RealSelf.⁹ Those paying on the lower end may have had some of their surgery costs covered by insurance, or through a warranty on their implant from its manufacturer. Or, their surgery may have been performed by their initial surgeon, who chose to waive some or part of their fee.

The fees that go into a revision surgery can include:¹⁰

• Surgical fees
• Preoperative medical exams, labs and tests
• Postoperative garments
• Medications
• Medical supplies for at-home use
• Postoperative in-home care

CareCredit Financing For Breast Implant Replacement or Revision Surgery

Ready to replace or revise your breast implants to feel your best? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for breast replacements and revision and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit credit card, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, Paypal, The Washington Post and more.