A breast implant may be a fantastic way to rejuvenate your entire appearance as it restores proper proportion. When your body’s contour is in harmony, it can make you look longer, leaner and more youthful. Even better, you will most likely feel more confident, energetic and vital. It can truly be that powerful. But while the results of a breast augmentation are long-lasting, no device is life long. This is as true for a new hip joint as it is for a breast implant. Most people in their 20’s, however, don’t get a hip replacement, but they do get breast implants which by their late 30’s or early 40’s, may have gotten tired and developed a tear or leak. Furthermore, breast aesthetics are like fashion – constantly changing. So, even if your implants remain healthy, there is a high chance that the look that was desirable at 21 may not work for you now. For example, ten years ago, big breasts were en vogue, but today, patients want smaller breasts that fit a more athletic looking physique. All of this is to say that I get a lot of questions from patients about the cost of a breast implant exchange. Here are some factors to think about.
What is the Cost of a Breast Implant Exchange in Boston?
The cost of any aesthetic procedure, especially a breast implant exchange, is going to depend on your individual treatment plan. Switching out your current breast implants is not like changing a tire. Rarely is it a straight swap of your current implants for a new set that is the exact same size and shape. And even if you are keeping things the same, breast tissue is as affected by Father Time as the tissues on your face. Furthermore, if you’ve undergone:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Menopause
- Weight gain/loss
All of these factors can weaken the tissues of your chest so that they sag and are unable to hold your implant in its proper place. This can be particularly problematic if you’ve had your current implants for a decade or more, and you are wanting to go smaller. So, most of my breast implant exchange procedures range from $18,000 to $20,000 depending on whether or not we add a:
- Breast Lift
- Fat Grafting to the Breast
- Soft Tissue Support
All of these options will be discussed with you in detail during your consultation.
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Breast Implant Exchange Consultation
Every single body in the world is unique. Even identical twins may require different treatment plans. This is why it is such a smart idea for you to schedule an in-person consultation, preferably with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as myself, who specializes in breast revision surgery. During our meeting, we will dive deep into what you no longer like about the appearance of your breasts. We’ll review photos of the “look” that you want to achieve, and I will ask in-depth questions about how your body reacted to your initial surgery as I’m looking to establish your individual baseline of healing as this may affect our “scar” strategy. Then, I will perform a thorough physical exam to assess your:
- Skin tone & texture
- Degree of sagging, if any
- Nipple position in relation to inframammary fold
- Upper pole fullness
Together, we will discuss the ideal treatment plan for creating your ideal outcome.
Benefits of a Breast Lift
It is not uncommon for a breast implant exchange procedure to involve a breast lift. This is a surgery in which I lift and tighten the breast envelope to deliver your desired shape. Generally, as mentioned, most of my revision breast surgery patients want to go smaller. A breast lift allows me to create the support structure required in order to hold your new implant in its proper position over time. Many patients are averse to the idea of a lift as they are afraid of scars on the breast. I practice precise surgical techniques that put as little tension as possible on your tissue which is one of the things that can cause a raised scar. Furthermore, scars on the breast generally heal extremely well. I also offer my Boston area patients the full range of cutting-edge scar treatment therapies to aid and promote excellent healing. Most of my breast lift patients are so happy with their end result that they don’t even notice the scar after a year. In those with extremely compromised breast tissue, I may also recommend the addition of soft tissue support (STS).
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Understanding GalaFLEX®
GalaFLEX® has been a true game changer in my practice. It is a mesh soft tissue support. I use it with many of my breast surgery procedures in order to create an internal bra of support. In fact, some patients with only a mild to moderate amount of weakening in the tissues of their chest may be able to forego a lift and simply combine their breast augmentation with GalaFLEX®. It’s made from a naturally occurring biopolymer that resembles a mesh. Once I place it in support of the new implant, your body creates “scar” tissue of collagen that weaves in and out of the mesh. Over time, the GalaFLEX® dissolves and you are left with tissue that is 2-4 times stronger than your native breast tissue. The use of GalaFLEX® soft tissue support in the breast is off-label as it is currently not FDA approved. So if you are interested in soft tissue support for the breast, you want to make certain that you meet with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Amortize Cost Over Time
Revision breast surgery may be more expensive than your original breast augmentation. This can lead to sticker shock for some patients. I understand. But it is important for you to remember that the goal of any well executed breast implant exchange is to deliver a long-lasting result. Even if your treatment plan is on the high end in terms of breast revision cost, it’s crucial for you to amortize this expense over the decade or more in which you will enjoy your new body contour. To find out more about revision breast surgery, or any other surgical or nonsurgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.