About the procedure

What is breast implant replacement?

This is a type of breast surgery that includes removing old breast implants and replacing them with new ones. There are several reasons why this procedure can be done.

In the first place, these are complications from a previous procedure, such as capsular contracture or rupture of the implant.

Other common causes are cosmetic – for example, changing the size and / or shape of the breasts, restoring symmetry or simply changing preferences.

If you have PIP implants, this may also be a reason to undergo a replacement procedure.

This procedure can be done either alone or in combination with others such as breast lift or mastopexy.

What does the operation include?

The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia. The duration is between 1 and 2 hours and depends on the size and shape of the new breast implants, the chosen surgical technique and whether the operation is combined with other procedures.

Incisions are made in place of the original scars. If the new implant is similar in size and shape to the previous one, then the existing capsule will be sufficient and the operation will be shorter. If the new implant is different, this will complicate the operation because the capsule will need to be adjusted.

After placing the new implant, your surgeon will suture the breast along the existing scar line using a technique that leaves minimal scarring.

 

Replacement and removal of implants

At A Glance

Surgery Time

1 – 2 hours

Time off work

1 – 2 weeks

Hospital Stay

Day case

Washing

Shower after 1 week

Reasonably Mobile

1 day

Exercise Including Gym

6 weeks

Sexual Activity

Restricted activity after 4 weeks

Full Recovery

6 – 8 weeks

Driving

1 – 2 weeks

Sleeping Position

Sleeping on back recommended for 1-2 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is suitable for this procedure?

This procedure is suitable for you if:

  • You are not happy with the size, shape or position of your implants;
  • Your implants have shifted;
  • Your implants have become hard to the touch and deformed (this condition is called ‘capsular contracture’);
  • Your implants have started to move or rotate;
  • Your implants have moved and there is a gap in place;
  • Your implants are made of PIP and you want to replace them;
  • You have another procedure that you want and can be combined with implant replacement.
What are the risks of this operation?

In general, breast implant replacement is a safe procedure, but it carries the risks of each operation:

  • swelling and formation of hematoma;
  • emporary tingling in the area of ​​the incision
  • infection
  • poor healing of scars
  • nausea and bleeding
  • fat necrosis or embolism

Specific risks for this procedure are:

  • implant rupture
  • ALCL

During your consultation, you will be able to discuss in detail the likelihood and frequency of these risks with your surgeon.

How long will I have to abstain from exercise and be absent from work?

Usually the recovery from this operation is quite fast. It is important to return to normal life gradually.

You should be able to return to work within two weeks and resume your workouts in 4 to 6 weeks.

However, we advise you to return to heavy physical activity gradually, starting with low-intensity activities.

When is the final result of the operation visible?

What the final result  will be visible somewhere in 6-7 weeks after the operation. However, the improvement of this result lasts more than 3 months.

Your surgeon will give you instructions on how to get the most out of your outcome during your consultation.

What is capsular contracture?

Because the breast implant is a foreign body, it is recognized as such by the human body and these results in the formation of a capsule of fibrous tissue around the entire implant. This process is normal and expected.
However, this process is different for different people. There are people who generally develop more scars and it is possible for them to form excessively hard or bulky tissue around the implant. This tissue can coalesce with muscle tissue and cause it to contract. This is called a capsular contracture and can cause problems with the appearance of the breast implant by deforming it. Such a contracture is one of the reasons for replacing the implants, because during the operation the deformed capsule is removed and thus a new, strong capsule can be formed around the new implant and in this way to restore the initially desired aesthetics.

What are the PIP implants and why should they be removed or replaced?

PIP implants are cheap breast implants that contain silicone, which is potentially health-threatening. In addition to being harmful, they are also more susceptible to splitting or tearing. Although they are officially banned and not used by any good clinic, PIP implants are still found today.

What are the symptoms of a ruptured implant?

Symptoms that your implant has ruptured may include:

  • Swelling or lump around the breast
  • Changes in the shape of the breast
  • Redness, pain or burning sensation

If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately.

The diagnosis of a ruptured implant is confirmed by a computer tomography. Torn implants must be removed or replaced immediately.

What is the cost of breast reconstruction?

Prices are formed individually after an online consultation and depending on the patient’s personal needs. Once we know what you want, you will receive our offer within 24 hours. You also can check our PRICE LIST.

How do we work

Once you have made contact with us, we will organize a free video consultation with the surgeon we believe is best suited for your particular situation.

This consultation will be within 5 days of your request. Prior to the video consultation, we will ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your medical history and send photos of the problematic areas. 

If necessary during the video consultation your doctor will advise you to take additional photos of the problematic areas and suggestions for the angle from which to take photos.

This consultation will be combined with a detailed discussion about your wishes and the possibilities for achieving them.  We will discuss with you the expected results, possible risks and any other issues that you might be concerned about.

We advise you to make a list of all the questions you may want to ask concerning the procedure before the actual consultation. After the official request to us, and if you wish, we can arrange a meeting for you with our representative in London.

Within 24 hours of the video consultation, we will send you a costing describing the price of the procedure and the needed length of stay in Bulgaria. In the costing there will also be preferential prices offered for our partner hotels with which we work and for which we can guarantee the quality and comfort. 

You will then have 3-4 days of time to reflect, and give us your decision.

If you decide to proceed and agree with all terms and conditions , you will have 48 hours within which you must prepay 30% of the total amount of the procedure. This amount is paid directly to the clinic where your procedure will be performed and thereby you will have a reserved date and time for your procedure and a room in the hotel you have chosen. The remaining balance has to be paid by the day before the procedure itself after conducting the preliminary examination in the clinic.

If you decide or need to cancel the procedure, this must be done at least 30 days before the date of your flight in order to be able to trigger a process for returning your deposit.  

If you decide to cancel our services within the last 30 days before your flight, you must have a good reason for doing so (supported by evidence) in order to take your money back. If you cancel it within these 30 days and the reason is acceptable, your money will be returned, but you will be suspended 50 euro for an administrative fee. If you wish to change the date of the procedure, this can happen at least 30 days before.

If you wish, we can also arrange your travel from your home to the airport. We are partners with a transport company and you can use our preferential prices. This also applies to your return flight. To do this, you will need to send us the details of your flight one week in advance.

Upon arrival in Bulgaria, you will be greeted at the airport by one of our employees who will take you to your hotel.

On the day before the operation, you will have a preliminary examination, where some necessary tests will be performed (e.g. blood tests) and we will specify all the details related to the operation (treatment plan, proposal for some additional or adjacent procedures for a better outcome, recovery plan etc). Our employee will take you to the clinic and after that to the place where you are to be accommodated.

Before the surgery, you will need to sign an informed consent document (i.e. a document certifying that you have been informed by the doctor about all potential risks and complications and that you understand them) and agree to proceed with the procedure).

On the day of the operation our employee will bring you back to the clinic. Depending on the procedure, you may need to have one or several days of hospital stay. After the completion of the procedure and the hospital stay, our employee will take you back to your hotel.

During the entire stay, our employee will be at your service throughout. 

If you wish, and if the procedure allows, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements but this must be specified in advance.

On the day of departure, you will be accompanied by our employee back to the airport.

If you wish, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements. This must be specified in advance.

You will be provided with a detailed plan on the recovery process. 

Online consultations in the recovery period will be arranged with your surgeon, but if you have stayed in the hospital after your procedure, the doctor will give you post-operative examinations on the first and third days.

On the seventh and fourteenth days, preventive online consultations will be made to track how the recovery goes.  

Online consultation reviews are also done on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6thmonths.You will be able to contact us at any time!