Medically reviewed by David Bogue, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon | Last reviewed August 2026
Breast implants can provide a long-lasting improvement in breast size, shape, and confidence, and many women remain very happy with them for decades. Over time, however, implants and the scar capsule around them can change, complications can develop, or you may simply decide that the size, shape, or look you chose years ago is no longer what you want. Breast implant revision can address problems such as rupture or deflation, capsular contracture, implant movement, rippling, muscle-related distortion, or dissatisfaction with the appearance or feel of your implants.
Breast revision surgery can be more complex than first-time augmentation because the implant, capsule, pocket, breast tissue, skin, and prior scars must be evaluated together. Dr. Bogue’s background includes cosmetic, revision, and reconstructive breast surgery, giving him experience with a wide range of implant-related concerns, including more complex cases. He has also published research on challenging breast and implant problems, including synmastia and reconstruction in irradiated breasts, and has served for years as a physician advisor within the breast implant industry. That background helps him evaluate what has changed, whether anything needs to be done, and which options are most likely to improve the result.
Breast Implant Revision FAQs
Do Breast Implants Need to Be Replaced Every 10 Years?
No. Breast implants do not need to be replaced automatically every 10 years. Many women keep the same implants for much longer without a problem. However, implants are not lifetime devices, and the likelihood of rupture or other implant-related changes increases over time.
Dr. Bogue recommends long-term follow-up rather than replacement based only on the age of the implant.
How Do I Know if Something Is Wrong With My Breast Implant?
If you notice a change in the appearance, position, or feel of your breast or implant, it is reasonable to have it evaluated. A saline implant rupture usually causes obvious deflation, while a silicone gel rupture can be silent and may only be detected with imaging.
Just as often, the concern is not the implant itself but the scar capsule that naturally forms around every breast implant. The capsule can tighten, thicken, or change over time, leading to firmness, discomfort, distortion, or a change in implant position.
For silicone gel implants, the FDA recommends ultrasound or MRI beginning 5–6 years after placement and every 2–3 years thereafter to screen for silent rupture. Dr. Bogue can evaluate what you are noticing, review or order appropriate imaging, and determine whether the implant is intact, the capsule has changed, or anything actually needs to be done.
What Is Capsular Contracture?
Every breast implant naturally develops a thin layer of scar tissue, called a capsule, around it. This is a normal response to any implanted device and does not mean your body is “rejecting” the implant. Capsular contracture occurs when that scar tissue becomes thicker and tighter.
Contracture can be mild, causing only slight firmness, or more severe. In advanced cases, the implant can be pushed higher on the chest, the breast shape can become distorted, and the breast may become uncomfortable or painful.
The capsule responds to its environment. Irritation from bleeding, infection, trauma, or fluid around the implant can contribute to contracture, although most cases do not have an obvious cause, and some people simply form thicker scar tissue than others.
Treatment depends on the severity of the contracture and how long it has been present. Mild or early cases may be treated with anti-inflammatory medication and massage. More significant contractures may require surgery, including a capsulectomy, or removal of the abnormal scar capsule, with the goal of allowing your body to form a new capsule that is thinner, softer, and more pliable.
If capsular contracture has recurred after previous treatment, Dr. Bogue may use an acellular dermal matrix (ADM), a type of biologic mesh that can replace part of the capsule and help reduce the risk of another contracture.
Can Breast Implants Move Out of Position?
Yes. The most common implant malposition is movement toward the sides of the chest, sometimes called lateralization. This is almost the opposite of capsular contracture: instead of the capsule becoming too tight, the capsule and surrounding support are not strong enough to hold the implant in the desired position. Larger implants, implants placed under the muscle, and previous breast surgery such as a reduction can all increase this risk.
Implants can also bottom out if the inframammary fold beneath the breast has been weakened or disrupted. This can occur after certain augmentation techniques and allows the implant to settle too low on the chest.
Synmastia is much less common but can be particularly difficult to correct. It occurs when the cleavage area has been overdissected, allowing the implants to move toward or across the center of the chest.
Dr. Bogue has extensive experience with complex implant-pocket problems and has published research on the surgical correction of synmastia. Treatment may involve rebuilding and tightening the implant pocket, changing implant size or type, or moving the implant from below the muscle to above it when appropriate. The goal is to restore a more stable implant position while correcting the underlying reason the implant moved.
Can I Change My Breast Implant Size or Type?
Yes. Implant revision does not have to mean that something is wrong. Your preferences may change over time, and newer implant options may offer differences in size, projection, feel, cohesivity, or rippling compared with what was available when you had your original surgery.
You can choose to go larger or smaller, change from saline to silicone gel, select a different implant profile or gel type, or have your breast implants removed without replacement. Dr. Bogue considers your existing implant pocket, breast dimensions, tissue thickness, and the appearance you want now when recommending the new implant. If changing implant size also requires repositioning the pocket or addressing sagging breast tissue, those issues can often be corrected during the same operation.
Do I Need a Breast Lift With My Implant Revision?
Not necessarily. One of the important decisions in revision surgery is separating an implant problem from a breast-tissue problem. If your concern is rupture, capsular contracture, malposition, rippling, or implant size and your breast tissue and nipple remain in a good position, a lift may not add anything to the result.
If the breast tissue has also dropped with pregnancy, weight changes, or aging, correcting the implant alone may still leave the breast looking low or loose. In that situation, a breast lift can be performed with the revision to reposition the breast tissue over the implant and improve the overall shape.
The goal is to correct only what actually needs correction rather than automatically adding a lift to an implant revision.
How Long Is Recovery After Breast Implant Revision?
Recovery depends on what needs to be corrected. A straightforward implant exchange can have a relatively easy recovery, while more extensive revision surgery may require more time and sometimes additional activity restrictions.
For the first two weeks, activity is kept very light with no exercise or heavy lifting. At about two weeks, most patients can begin cardio and light lifting and return to full arm range of motion. A supportive or compression bra is typically worn around the clock for six weeks. By about six weeks, most patients can return to unrestricted activity.
When a new implant is placed, the clock essentially starts over for that implant. Its age, expected longevity, recommended imaging schedule, and manufacturer warranty begin again from the date of replacement.
How Much Does Breast Implant Revision Cost?
The cost of breast implant revision depends on what needs to be corrected. A straightforward implant exchange is different from surgery that requires a capsulectomy, repair of the implant pocket, acellular dermal matrix, or a breast lift.
After examining you and reviewing your implants and surgical history, Dr. Bogue can determine what is necessary and provide a specific estimate.
Some breast implants include manufacturer warranties that typically provide a replacement implant and may also reimburse a portion of the surgical costs if a rupture or capsular contracture occurs within the warranty period. The exact benefits depend on the implant manufacturer, the specific warranty, and when the problem occurs.
Mentor® offers one of the most comprehensive breast implant warranty programs in the industry to help protect your investment and provide peace of mind.
Our team will review the details of your warranty and help you understand which benefits may apply in your situation.
“I highly recommend Dr. Bogue and his incredible staff to anyone considering breast implant exchange or cosmetic surgery. Thank you, Dr. Bogue, for your exceptional care, professionalism, and for giving me my confidence back. I couldn’t be happier with my results.”
Jayme Ndeto
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Breast Implant Revision Before & After
Ready to Discuss Breast Implant Revision?
If you have a concern about your breast implants, notice a change, or simply want to know whether anything should be done, Dr. Bogue can evaluate your implants and discuss your options.