Breast Implant Removal & Replacement (Capsular Contracture)

At your first consultation Elena will answer any questions you have about the surgery itself. You will then have a second consultation to go through the consent forms prior to your surgery. You will also have a Pre-Assessment with the nurses at your chosen hospital for any blood tests and investigations to check on your general health. On the day of surgery an implant removal and replacement surgery, you will not eat for a six-hour window prior to the procedure. Before entering the operating room, you will discuss the agreed form of anaesthesia with the anaesthetist, you will also see Ms Prousskaia for surgical marking, signing hospital consent, and for any additional questions you may have. If you feel anxious, we can provide you with medication that can make you feel more relaxed prior to going down to theatre.

It is entirely normal to feel sore and stiff for a few days following implant removal and replacement surgery. During the first 72 hours, when the most discomfort is expected to be felt, painkillers can be administered in order to address the discomfort. Rest is normally recommended for a period of one week following implant removal and replacement surgery. A support bra is usually worn for six weeks after the procedure. Patients can benefit from taking four weeks off work, and after you have seen Ms Prousskaia for your four weeks follow up you can discuss beginning a gym routine focused on lower body strength.

The Elena Prousskaia Clinic prides itself on the quality of its aftercare so we’ll make absolutely sure you know what to expect, and how much rest is needed. We’ll give you specific instructions that may include how to care for your breasts following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with Elena.

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While complications with implant removal and replacement surgery are infrequent, no surgical procedure is without risks. Among the possible complications are scars, infection, haematoma, implant displacement, breast asymmetry and implant rupture. Elena will provide you with further information with the risks and provide you with a detailed consent form during your consultations. This will help you to minimise the risks.

Generally speaking, this surgery takes around 2.5-3 hours, although this varies depending on the nature of the procedure.

After surgery it is normal to experience some discomfort, the level of which varies widely amongst patients. There is rarely prolonged pain unless there is a complication and in all cases you will be prescribed pain medication.

It is recommended you change implants about every 10 years. Breast implant removal and replacement surgery can be undertaken for a number of reasons, typically:

• Lifespan of implants
• Ruptured implants
• Capsular contracture
• Wish to change shape or size of the breasts.
• Body has changed due to weight loss or gain, age or childbirth resulting in the breasts changing.

Elena prides herself on taking the time to truly understand a patient’s aims and discussing what result will work best given the patient’s body shape and size. Although good results are expected, the body is not symmetric and almost everyone has some degree of unevenness, which may not be recognized in advance. The more realistic your expectations as to results, the better your results will be in your eye. You will have at least two consultations with Elena where she ensures that she meets your expectations and she will always try to achieve your expected results.

The shape of implants can be round or anatomical (teardrop). Both can provide an excellent result. The outer shell and the filling may vary depending on the manufacturer. Miss Prousskaia has never used PIP implants in her practice and she will offer you high quality implants from the best manufacturers. You will discuss with Miss Prousskaia which specific shape and size of implant would give you the optimal result. You should know that in the European Union (EU) 95% of implants used for breast augmentation are made of silicone gel and only 5% contains other type of fillings such as saline. Mentor Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants are devices with shells constructed from silicone elastomer. The shell is filled with MemoryGel®, Mentor’s proprietary formulation of silicone gel.

Ms Elena Prousskaia has been carrying out plastic and aesthetic surgery procedures for more than 20 years. Elena trained for eight years in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and since then has held leading Fellowships around the world and specialised in breast surgery procedures, whether a patient is having the procedure for purely aesthetic reasons or as part of breast reconstruction. As an NHS Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Southmead Hospital, she dedicated several years to complex microsurgical reconstruction and general plastic surgery. During this time at North Bristol Trust, she particularly enjoyed rebuilding patients who suffered from breast cancer giving them their body and confidence back. At present, Ms Prousskaia runs her own successful private practice performing full range of plastic and aesthetic surgery for face, body and breast. Elena Prousskaia consults in several clinics around the South West. Please see the ‘Our Locations’ tab in the menu for exact addresses or call us to discuss your closest location.

This procedure can be performed on its own or in combination with breast uplift approaches or body remodelling surgery, such as a tummy tuck, liposuction, intimate surgery or facial surgery. This would depend on the result you are looking for. Elena prides herself on taking the time to truly understand the patient’s aims and discussing what result will work best given the patient’s body shape and size.

Elena does not operate on patients that regularly smoke or vape. To be considered for this procedure you must refrain from smoking or vaping for 3 months before and after your surgery.