Breast implant exchange (revision) surgery

Breast implant exchange is also known as breast augmentation revision surgery. It is simply the exchange of the breast implants, either for the same sized implant or for smaller/bigger ones, depending on the reasons for the exchange. This procedure can be done in combination with other surgical procedures, including a mastopexy (breast uplift).

We also provide breast implant removal (explant) surgery.

Deciding if breast implant exchange is right for you

Some of the most common reasons women choose to have their breast implants exchanged include:

Dissatisfaction with breast appearance: Some women were never happy with the cosmetic outcome of their original breast augmentationprocedure. Others find that their breast appearance has changed over time due to aging, pregnancy or weight fluctuations.
Interference with physical activity: Very large breasts can make it challenging to live an active, athletic lifestyle. If you have large implants, you made decide to reduce the size of these, rather than have them removed completely.
Desire for a different sized implant: It can sometimes be difficult to envision how your new breasts will look before you undergo breast augmentation. If you feel that your initial implant was either too large or too small, you can exchange them for a size that is more appropriate for your frame.
Implant complications: If you suffer a complication such as an implant rupture, hardening of the breasts (capsular contracture), muscle animation, double bubble appearance, or infection you may not want to have the implants removed completely, and therefore opt for an exchange. If you have had an implant infection, then you will have to wait 6 months between having the implants removed and having them re-inserted.
Implant Shelf Life: The manufacturers life expectancy of breast implants is 10 or more years, although implants can stay in without problems for a much longer time however, they aren’t guaranteed to last a lifetime. Rather than have your implants removed you can decide to have an exchange for new implants.

Breast Implant Exchange Before and After

Mr Wilson has performed many breast implant exchange procedures for patients in Bristol, Bath, Gloucester and Newport. Please see this gallery for before and after breast enlargement pictures. Mr Wilson will always be happy to talk to you about your desired outcome and what results you should expect for your individual body.

Please see the testimonials page to read Mr Wilson’s 5* breast implant exchange reviews.

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What does this procedure involve?

The procedure is similar to breast augmentation surgery. To minimise scarring Mr Sherif Wilson MB, ChB, MS, FRCS (Plastic Surgery) will use your existing scars to remove your implants. One the implants are removed, Mr Wilson will insert the new implants and stitch up the incision. During your consultation with Mr Wilson you will have decided what sized implants you desire, either the same size, bigger or smaller. If you are going from bigger implants to smaller implants, there may be excess skin therefore a mastopexy (breast uplift) may be recommended at the same time. A mastopexy involves removing the excess skin and raising the nipple so that the breasts appear lifted and more youthful.

Surgery takes around 1.5 hours but with an uplift it takes around 2.5 hours. These procedures are performed under a general anaesthetic.

What are the risks of this surgery?

All surgery carries general risks such as bleeding, DVT and infection. Mr Wilson sees all his patients at least twice prior to surgery in order to ensure that all the risks and complications are discussed in detail, and this allows the patient to go home and think about any further questions they have.

Going home after surgery

You may be able to go home the same day of the surgery, but many patients will spend one night in hospital. Patients are recommended to take around two weeks off work immediately after the operation in order to ensure they recover fully.

Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)

Since 2014, a condition called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in association with breast implants has been identified. The risk of this is extremely small. It is not a breast cancer itself but is associated with the scar tissue or capsule laid down by the body around an implant. Cases of BIA-ALCL have occurred between 2-28 years after implant insertion with the average time being 8 years. It is most likely to show up as a swelling around the implant causing an increase in size of the breast (a seroma). It can usually be successfully treated by an operation to remove the implant and the capsule of tissue surrounding it.

Because it is so rare, International organisations are sharing data and information about this condition. Most of the cases worldwide have occurred in women with textured breast implants, with higher numbers of BIA-ALCL seen in women with implants that have a coarser texture than those with a finer texture.

It is important to ask your surgeon what the most up-to-date recommendations are. Implants continue to be considered safe, with safety approval from Government organisations such as the UK MHRA and USA FDA. They continue to be used in breast reconstruction patients following treatment of cancer worldwide. For more information, please see the links at the end of this booklet.

Breast Implant Illness (BII)

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a term used by patients who have breast implants and experience a variety of symptoms that they feel are directly connected to their silicone breast implants. BII is not a medical diagnosis and there is no proven association with breast implants. The symptoms include tiredness, “brain fog”, joint aches, immune-related symptoms, sleep disturbance, depression, hormonal issues, headaches, hair loss, chills, rash, hormonal issues and neurological issues.

There is currently no scientific evidence to confirm this proposed link or any diagnostic test to show that a patient suffers from such a condition. Research continues in this area to establish if all of the symptoms that patients describe can be brought together into a single diagnosis. Some patients do report that their symptoms improve if their implants are removed but this is not true for all. More guidance on BII can be found on the Gov.UK and Fda.gov websites.

How much does surgery cost?

Depending on the type of procedure you decide to have, the cost of breast implant surgery can vary.

These are guide prices and are subject to change following an initial consultation with Mr Wilson, where a bespoke quote will be provided, specific to each patient.

At Nuffield Bristol Hospital
From £7,700
From £11,700 (with mastopexy)

At BMI Bath Clinic
From £7,800
From £9,600 (with mastopexy)

At Winfield Hospital (Gloucester)
From £8,000
From £11,400 (with mastopexy)

At St Josephs Newport
From £7,900
From £9,500 (with mastopexy)

At Spire Bristol Hospital
From £8,800
From £11,500(with mastopexy)

There are finance options available which you can find information about on the Spire, Nuffield, Circle Health Group and Winfield hospital websites respectively.

Testimonials

Sherif invites his clients to leave a review about the service he provided on Google (Bristol and Gloucester), as well as Doctify, RealSelf and I Want Great Care.

Please visit the Testimonials page for the very latest, or click on the links directly below this contact form.

Enquire about breast implant exchange (revision) surgery with Mr Wilson

Mr Sherif Wilson MB, ChB, MS, FRCS (Plast)

5.0

Based on 95 reviews

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Jen Moore

10:12 01 Jun 23

I recently underwent a surgical procedure at Spire Clinic on 21st March 2023, under the expert care of Mr Wilson, and I am delighted to share my overwhelmingly positive experience. From the moment I walked through the doors of the clinic until my complete recovery, the service I received was nothing short of exceptional.First and foremost, I must express my sincere gratitude to Mr Wilson. His professionalism, expertise, and compassionate approach were evident from our very first meeting. He took the time to thoroughly explain the procedure, addressing all my concerns and ensuring I had a complete understanding of what to expect. His calm and reassuring demeanor put me at ease, instilling confidence in his abilities as a surgeon.The facilities at Spire Clinic were outstanding. The clinic's clean and welcoming environment helped alleviate any pre-operative anxieties I had. The staff members were friendly, approachable, and always ready to assist me with any questions or requests. From the receptionists to the nurses and support staff, everyone demonstrated a high level of competence and professionalism.Throughout my stay, the nursing team provided attentive care, ensuring my comfort and well-being at all times. They were highly knowledgeable, offering post-operative support and guidance that played a crucial role in my smooth recovery process. Their commitment to patient care was evident in their prompt response to any concerns or discomforts I experienced, making me feel valued and reassured.The post-operative follow-up care I received was exceptional. Mr Wilson regularly checked in on my progress and provided detailed explanations about the healing process. His willingness to address any post-surgery concerns, no matter how minor, further underscored his dedication to ensuring my complete recovery and satisfaction.The administrative staff at Spire Clinic also deserve commendation. They efficiently handled all aspects of my stay, including scheduling appointments, coordinating with my insurance provider, and addressing any billing inquiries. Their professionalism and attention to detail contributed to a seamless and hassle-free experience.In summary, my experience at Spire Clinic, under the care of Mr. Wilson, was exemplary. The clinic's commitment to excellence, paired with Mr. Wilson's expertise and compassionate care, made a significant impact on my overall satisfaction with the service I received. I would highly recommend Spire Clinic and Mr. Wilson to anyone in need of surgical care, confident that they will provide the same exceptional level of service that I was fortunate enough to experience.Thank you, Spire Clinic and Mr. Wilson, for your unwavering commitment to patient well-being and for exceeding my expectations at every step of my journey!!

Millie Taylor

09:06 17 May 23

There are so many options when considering surgery, it can be a bit overwhelming as it's such a huge decision. Sherif was recommended to me by a friend of a friend, who talked very highly of him and his work. My first consultation with Sherif was informative and relaxed, there was no pressure to progress with the surgery and I felt I was in good hands. I was given time and space to make my decision, and felt comfortable asking any further questions. The surgery itself went smoothly, I felt safe and well looked after. My recovery went better than I'd imagined and I was comfortably back at work within 2 weeks. I'm now 11 weeks post op and I'm loving the results - it really is life changing, and I'm so glad I did it, and chose Sherif to do it. Huge thanks to him and his team.

lauren priestley

21:56 01 Aug 22

At my first consultation with Mr Wilson he made me feel comfortable and after explaining how specific I wanted my surgery to look, he took so much time explaining the procedure and answered all my questions and advised me on what my best option was.I am so pleased with the results.Him and all his lovely team were highly professional, helpful and very supportive during my surgery and during my post surgery follow up appointments.I cannot express enough how talented Mr Wilson is and I would highly recommend him.

Charmaine Griffin

11:16 28 Jul 22

The service received from Mr Wilson and his secretary has been amazing. Kim has always been prompt and professional with all of our contact. At the initial consultation with Mr Wilson, he made me comfortable and at ease. Mr Wilson has always been so kind and considerate and made sure that he explained the options available to me and what each option would include. Mr Wilson was clear about what the results of each option would likely provide and the risks involved. On the day of my surgery Mr Wilson came to see me prior to the surgery to check that I was happy. The results of the surgery were better than I could ever have imagined. I got a small infection a couple of weeks after surgery and Mr Wilson got me in to see him the same day, provided me with antibiotics and it cleared up right away. I'm now 7 weeks post surgery and feeling right back to normal.

Ashleigh Goodwin

22:12 04 May 22

Wow, I honestly don’t even know where to start. I guess a MASSIVE thank you to Mr Wilson, he has quite frankly changed my life. From the moment I met him I knew that he was the surgeon for me, he listened to what I wanted, was very understanding and caring, he was honest with the outcome and explained everything perfectly. I knew that I had to have him as my surgeon for my Breast Reduction, the minute I left the consultation I booked my surgery, I only had 7 weeks to wait, I was beyond excited. About a week before the surgery I came to see Mr Wilson again just to settle my nerves, and he did just that. My surgery went incredibly well, I felt amazing and just so excited to see the results, I had no complications whatsoever and pain was minimal, the heeling process was so so smooth too. One year on and I am still on cloud nine, the scars are basically non existent and my new breasts are PERFECT. I’m not over exaggerating when I say Mr Wilson has changed my life, he really has done just that, and I will be forever grateful. Will recommend Mr Wilson over and over again to anyone wanting ANY surgery with him. He is incredible!

RealSelf Patient Reviews of Sherif Wilson, FRCS (Plast)