Breast Implant Exchange in Houston

Breast implant exchange is a procedure that enables patients to adjust the results of a previous breast augmentation procedure.

Discover the Results You Deserve

Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery performed in the country. While most women are extremely pleased with their results, there are a few cases that do not work as planned. After receiving implants, some women experience a change in their aesthetic preferences and wind up wishing that their breasts were either larger or smaller. In other instances, women can experience troubling issues like implant leaks and capsular contracture. Whatever the problem may be, Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery offers surgical breast implant exchange in Houston,  so you can enjoy the beautiful, healthy breasts you deserve.

Breast Implant Exchange
Before & After Photos

Each Patient is Unique and Individual Results May Vary

Each Patient is Unique and Individual Results May Vary

Breast Implant Exchange with Dr. Paul Vitenas

Breast implant exchange is a surgical technique that enables Dr. Vitenas to safely swap out existing breast implants with new ones. This gives you the opportunity to change factors like size, shape, and type for a look that is better aligned with your personal cosmetic goals. The result? Restored confidence and an ultimate improvement in your overall health and sense of wellbeing. Although not everyone ends up needing breast implant exchange, the procedure is common for women with older implants.

Remember, breast implants are not meant to last forever. While they may look beautiful for 10 years or longer, they will eventually need to be removed or replaced.

There are also unfortunate situations where problems occur after a breast augmentation making removal necessary, like leaks, ruptures, rippling, and the formation of unexpected scar tissue (capsular contracture).

“I am extremely happy with my results!”

“Dr. Vitenas and his staff are always so nice and professional. I always feel welcomed when I walk in the door. I had breast implants exchange and liposuction done 10 weeks ago. I am extremely happy with my results! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”

The Ideal Implant Exchange Candidate

The ideal candidate for a breast implant exchange can be almost any woman who has had a breast augmentation in the past and is looking to change her implants. She should be in generally good health and understand the benefits/limitations of the procedure. 

Women who are pregnant, nursing, have a current infection, or have experienced a reduced blood supply should postpone their implant exchange.

When to Consider
Breast Implant Exchange

Common reasons for a breast implant exchange include:

  • Leaks: Although rare, both silicone and saline implants have a small chance of leakage, especially as they get older.
  • Improved technology: Women may opt to replace older gel implants with thin shells with newer, safer implants made with a highly cohesive gel.
  • Preference: Over the years, changes in lifestyle and aesthetic desires can mean a change of heart on the original implant size, so women may want to go larger or smaller.
  • Capsular Contracture: Some scar tissue forming after a breast augmentation is normal. However excessive scar tissue can form around the implant causing the breast to become hard, deformed, and painful.
  • Better shape: Some women elect to have a new breast implant inserted in order to change the position and contour of their chest.
  • Wrinkling & Rippling: In some situations, especially on thin women, wrinkles and rippling of the implant can become noticeable.
  • Asymmetry: Most women have some sort of breast asymmetry, and this can continue to change over time, even after initial implants have been placed.
  • Type: Women with older saline implants may determine that newer, more natural-looking silicone gel implants will improve the look and feel of their bust.

The “10-Year Myth” for Breast Implants

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Breast Implant Exchange Procedure

Dr. Vitenas’ breast implant exchange is performed at the Houston Surgery Center, as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia. Depending on your specific needs, the surgery will take between one and two hours to complete.

To begin, Dr. Vitenas will make a thin incision along the inframammary fold (along your breast crease). From here, he will remove the old implant and the surrounding capsule, if needed. Dr. Vitenas will then place the new, carefully selected implants.

The implant position can be changed from above the chest muscle (sub-glandular) to below the chest muscle (sub-muscular). If you prefer smaller implants, a breast lift or breast reduction may be required to eliminate stretched, unwanted skin and tissue.

Dr. V exceeded the results I was expecting for my surgery. Pain was kept at an absolute minimum. I’m still surprised at that, because I’d had implants and a tummy tuck before and had a lot more pain then. Plus he corrected a serious defect to the point that you have to know I had it to even notice it.

Recovering From the
Breast Implant Exchange

Following your breast implant exchange in Houston, the recovery is normally easier than the initial surgery and requires little downtime. Most women are ready to return to work in two to three days, as swelling and bruising are minor and resolve quickly. While there is little pain after the procedure, prescription medication can make the healing process more comfortable.

Breast implant exchange sutures are placed inside of the wounds, meaning there are no stitches to remove. If any additional techniques need to be utilized, such as removing scar tissue, the recovery may take longer. No strenuous activities for two to four weeks.

Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery employs the newest and safest breast implant exchange techniques. However, a surgical procedure will have a small chance for complications to occur. These can include infection, scarring, asymmetry, and loss of sensation. If you are unhappy with your current breast implants, contact Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vitenas. Call the office at 281-484-0088 for more information or assistance with a first appointment. Consultations can also be done online, simply fill out the Contact Us form.

Implant ExchangeFAQ

The breast implant exchange is a surgical procedure designed to remove previous implants and replace them with new ones. The procedure can be performed for aesthetic or medical reasons.

The best candidate for a breast implant exchange will be in good health and looking to change the current implants. No matter the reason for the exchange, the prospective patient should understand the surgical technique and hold realistic expectations.

The breast implant exchange is a perfect time to update the size, shape, and type of implant that will work best with your aesthetic desires. This may mean going smaller or larger, as well as changing from saline to silicone.

Dr. Vitenas begins an implant exchange by making an incision along the inframammary fold (below the breast). He will then remove the old breast implant, as well as the surrounding capsule and excess tissue if needed. The new implants will be placed and the incisions sutured.

Dr. Vitenas’ incision will be placed along the breast crease (the inframammary fold).

Dr. Vitenas performs all breast implant exchange procedures at the Houston Surgery Center. These private surgery suites are located in the Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery building.

Implant exchange is generally easier than the initial procedure, with less discomfort and little downtime. Recovery will take less than a week. The sutures are placed inside the wounds, so no stitches need to be removed.

Most women are feeling well enough to return to work two to three days after having their breast implant exchange procedure.

Dr. Vitenas has been performing the breast implant exchange procedure for more than 30 years. His procedure is safe and effective. However, there is a rare chance that a complication will occur. These include scarring, infection, bleeding, asymmetry, and loss of sensation in the breast or nipple.

Breast implant exchange is a procedure that involves the removal of previous implants, and replacing them with new ones. This procedure is often accompanied by a breast lift, or mastopexy.

Good candidates for breast implant exchange include healthy women who have previously undergone breast implantation and wish to change their implants. Women may seek breast implant exchange for a variety of reasons including size issues, implant type issues, and problems with the implants.

The incision for breast implant exchange is made in the inframammary fold or the area under the breast. Through this incision, Dr. Vitenas will remove the old implant with or without the surrounding capsule. He will then place the new implants. If necessary, the implant position can be changed from above the chest muscle (sub-glandular) to below the chest muscle (submuscular) and pocket alterations can be made.

The recovery after this surgery is usually two to three days. Patients typically experience little discomfort, though medication can be taken if necessary. Because all stitches are placed inside the wounds, there are no sutures to remove.

Dr. Vitenas uses Silicone Gel and Saline Implants and the price range of the surgery is between $7,500 and $9,500. A specific price quote will be given to you at your consultation. This quote will also include your operating room and anesthesia costs and all of your follow-up visits; the only thing it doesn’t include is your prescription medications.