Breast Implant Exchange & Revision in San Antonio

Are you considering a change to your breast implants? Whether you’re experiencing implant related issues or simply want an update, implant revision lets you adjust your results to match your current goals.

For many, choosing implant revision is about making their results feel more in line with who they are today. Some want a different size or shape, while others are addressing changes in the body or concerns with older implants.

Whether you’re updating your look or resolving a complication, breast implant exchange can offer a fresh start.

At San Antonio Breast Implant Removal, we tailor every revision to your goals, your anatomy, and what feels right for you long-term.

What Is Breast Implant Revision?

Breast implant revision, also called implant exchange, is a procedure that replaces your current implants with new ones. Some patients choose this to change size or shape, while others want to update older implants or address complications like rippling, capsular contracture, or asymmetry.

Dr. Baumholtz, our breast revision plastic surgeon, performs implant revision with an individualized approach, making sure the new implants reflect your current goals, lifestyle, and anatomy. This procedure isn’t just about switching implants, it’s about creating a result that fits your body now.

You may be a good candidate for implant exchange if:

  • You want a different size or shape: Whether you’re going larger, smaller, or choosing a new profile, implant revision helps refine your look.
  • Your implants have aged: Many women choose to update implants that are 10-15 years old or older.
  • You’re experiencing complications: Capsular contracture, rupture, or implant shifting can all be corrected during revision.
  • Your body has changed: Weight fluctuations, pregnancy, or aging can impact how implants sit over time.
  • You want a different implant type: Some patients switch from saline to silicone (or vice versa) for a different feel or look.

During your consultation, we will discuss your goals and recommend an approach that supports both your appearance and long-term comfort.

Breast Implant Exchange San Antonio

What’s Involved in Breast Implant Revision?

Implant revision surgery is more than a simple swap. It’s an opportunity to refine, correct, or update your results based on how your body and preferences have changed since your original procedure. Whether you’re looking for a new size or correcting a complication, every step is tailored to your needs.

Here’s what the implant exchange process may involve:

Implant Removal

We remove your current implants through existing incision sites when possible to limit new scarring. We work carefully around the capsule to maintain healthy tissue and minimize recovery time.

Capsule Evaluation

Scar tissue (the capsule) is assessed during surgery. In some cases, it’s left in place if it’s soft and healthy. In others, it may need to be partially or fully removed if it’s thickened, contracted, or affecting the implant shape.

Pocket Adjustment

If your implants have shifted or the pocket is too large or small, we may modify it to provide better implant support. This helps prevent future movement and creates a more stable result.

New Implant Placement

Dr. B inserts your new implants, carefully positioning them to improve symmetry, balance, and comfort. You’ll choose the size, material, and profile beforehand based on your goals and anatomy.

Benefits of Implant Exchange

Implant revision gives you the chance to update your results in a way that better fits your body and lifestyle now. Whether you’re refining your look or correcting an issue, this procedure offers both functional and aesthetic benefits.

  • Customizable Size and Shape: You can switch to a different implant that better reflects your current preferences, whether that means more subtle or more pronounced volume.
  • Improved Comfort and Fit: Updating your implants can relieve tightness, shifting, or discomfort caused by aging implants or changes in your body.
  • Address Complications: Revision allows us to correct issues like rippling, rupture, or capsular contracture that may have developed over time.
  • Updated Implant Technology: Newer implants often offer improved materials, better durability, and a more natural feel.
  • Refreshed Results Without Starting Over: You get the benefit of a refreshed look while building on your original surgery with no need to start from scratch.

Implant exchange is ideal if you’re happy with having implants but want a result that feels more in line with your goals today.

Implant Exchange Surgery

What to Expect During Surgery

If you’re moving forward with implant revision, we make sure you feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way. We take a thoughtful, precise approach that focuses on safety, symmetry, and your long-term satisfaction.

Step 1

Anesthesia

We begin with sedation anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of your revision. Dr. B will help determine the safest and most comfortable option for your procedure.

Step 2

Incisions

In most cases, we reopen your original augmentation incision to avoid creating new scars. If any changes are needed for access or repositioning, we plan those incisions carefully for a discreet result.

Step 3

Removal

Your current implants are removed through precise, gentle dissection. We assess the surrounding capsule and tissue to make sure everything is healthy and ready for the new implant.

Step 4

Pocket Refinement

If your implant pockets need adjustment, Dr. B reshapes them to improve support and alignment. This step is important for correcting shifting, asymmetry, or stretching from previous implants.

Step 5

New Implant

Your selected implants are placed with care and attention to balance, size, and contour. We confirm positioning before closing to make sure the result matches your goals.

Step 6

Sutures

We close all incisions with layered sutures to support healing and minimize scarring. Dressings and a surgical bra will help protect your results as you begin recovery.

Recovery After Breast Implant Revision

Healing after implant revision can be smoother compared to primary breast surgery, but it still requires care and patience. Since this procedure focuses on replacing and refining, not removing or lifting, many patients experience less tissue trauma and a steady return to normal activity.

We’ll send you home with specific aftercare instructions and a clear plan for follow-ups. Here’s what to expect in the early stages:

  • Mild to Moderate Soreness: You may feel pressure or tightness in the chest for a few days. Most patients manage this easily with oral pain medication.
  • Swelling and Minor Bruising: Some swelling is normal and gradually improves over the first few weeks.
  • Support Garment: You’ll wear a surgical bra to stabilize the new implants and reduce swelling.
  • Limited Activity: We’ll ask you to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous movement, and raising your arms overhead for a short time.
  • Follow-Up Appointments: We will monitor your healing closely, check implant positioning, and make sure you’re progressing as expected.

Most patients return to desk work or light tasks within one to two weeks. As swelling subsides and tissue settles, you’ll see your final shape take form over the next few months.

Alternatives to Implant Exchange

If you’re considering removing your current implants, you have options to maintain shape, whether or not you plan to get new ones. Procedures like a breast lift or fat transfer can enhance contour using your body’s own tissue and help you feel confident in your results.

Breast Implant Removal with Lift San Antonio

Removal & Lift

A lift reshapes and tightens the breast after implant removal, especially if your skin has stretched or sagging has developed over time. This approach doesn’t add volume but helps create a more supported, proportional shape using only your natural tissue.

Breast Implant Removal with Fat Transfer San Antonio

Removal & Fat Transfer

Fat transfer gently removes fat from areas like the abdomen or flanks and transfers it to the breast to restore volume. It’s ideal if you want to stay implant-free but still prefer a bit of softness and fullness in your final result.

Implant Exchange FAQs

Thinking about changing your breast implants? Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from patients during implant revision consultations:

Take the Next Step

At San Antonio Breast Implant Removal, we understand that choosing to update your implants is a personal decision. Whether you’re seeking a different size, resolving a complication, or simply ready for a change, our team is here to guide you.

We approach every implant revision with a customized plan that respects your anatomy, your goals, and your long-term comfort. Implant exchange isn’t about starting over. It’s about refining your results to better match who you are now.

Schedule a consultation at San Antonio Breast Implant Removal to get started today.

Why Choose San Antonio Breast Implant Removal?

At San Antonio Breast Implant Removal, we provide expert, personalized care from your first consultation through recovery. Whether you’re local to San Antonio or traveling in, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

We focus on breast implant removal procedures, including techniques like en bloc capsulectomy, total capsulectomy, and customized combination surgeries. Our goal is to help you achieve a result that feels right for your body and your health.

Do you have questions or are you ready to book your in-person or virtual consultation? Contact San Antonio Breast Implant Removal. We’re here to help!

San Antonio Breast Implant Removal
4083 De Zavala Rd
San Antonio, TX 78249
(210) 361-8825