Breast Implant Revision in Canberra: When Implants May Need Changing

Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney

Breast implant revision is considered when existing implants need assessment, replacement, removal, or correction. For Canberra patients, this might mean concerns about implant age, firmness, pain, suspected rupture, malposition, asymmetry, size preference, or changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight fluctuation. Some revisions are driven by symptoms. Others by personal choice. Many sit somewhere in between.

This guide walks through the reasons patients consider implant revision, the most common clinical scenarios discussed at consultation, and the decision frame between replacement, removal, and combined procedures with a lift. If you’re considering implant replacement, removal, or any new plan for existing implants, the right starting point is a breast implant revision Canberra consultation, not online research.

Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) consulting at the Campbell clinic in Canberra and at Sydney clinics in Bondi Junction and Manly. The breakdown below is how the implant revision conversation typically goes during consultation.

Considering breast implant revision in Canberra? The Breast Augmentation Canberra page is the right starting point for individual assessment. Revision consultations follow the same AHPRA cosmetic surgery pathway as primary augmentation, with two consultations at the Campbell clinic before any surgical decision is made.

Breast implants are not lifetime devices

This is the educational anchor for the whole conversation.

The TGA and FDA both state that breast implants are not lifetime devices. The longer a patient has implants, the more likely they are to need removal or replacement at some point. Patients should understand that additional surgery may be needed over the life of an implant, because complications can occur.

What this doesn’t mean: implants automatically need replacing at 10 years. There’s no fixed expiry date for every implant. What matters is the combination of implant age, current symptoms, imaging findings, breast tissue change over time, and whether the patient’s aesthetic preferences have shifted. Some patients have implants for many years without complication. Others need revision earlier. The variables are individual.

What it does mean: anyone considering primary breast augmentation should understand from the start that further surgery is a real possibility down the track. Not a guaranteed outcome. A real possibility worth factoring into the decision.

Reasons patients consider implant revision

The reasons fall into a few clinical and personal categories.

Symptom-driven:

• Capsular contracture (firmness, distortion, pain)
• Implant rupture or suspected rupture
• Implant malposition (sitting too low, too high, lateral, or too close to midline)
• Bottoming out or stretched lower pole
• Rippling or visible/palpable implant edges
• New swelling, lump, or other change requiring assessment

Preference-driven or life-driven:

• Size change preference (different size, projection, or shape goals than the original surgery)
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight change, or ageing-related breast ptosis
• Desire to remove implants without replacement (explant)

Surgery-history-driven:

• Previous overseas or interstate surgery with limited follow-up
• Patient relocating to Canberra wanting to establish ongoing care with a local Specialist Plastic Surgeon
• Concerns about implant brand, type, or surface texture used in original surgery

For surgical detail on the specific revision techniques and pocket-control approaches, the breast implant revision procedure page covers the full surgical workup.

Capsular contracture

Capsular contracture is one of the most common reasons for revision breast surgery.

A scar capsule forms around every breast implant. That’s normal. In capsular contracture, the capsule tightens around the implant, sometimes thickening and contracting. The result can be firmness. Distortion of breast shape. Sometimes pain. The Baker classification system grades this from I to IV based on severity, with III and IV typically warranting surgical discussion.

Treatment options vary by severity and clinical findings:

• Capsulotomy (releasing the capsule)
• Capsulectomy (removing the capsule)
• Implant exchange (replacing the implant, often with capsule modification)
• Pocket change (placing a new implant in a different anatomical plane)
• Combined approach depending on capsule thickness, implant integrity, and patient preference

The published revision breast augmentation literature describes capsular contracture as common and challenging. Outcomes depend on contracture severity, the surgical approach chosen, and individual tissue factors.

Implant rupture or suspected rupture

Saline implant rupture is usually obvious. The saline absorbs into the body and the breast deflates over hours to days. The diagnosis is typically clinical.

Silicone implant rupture is often less obvious. Modern cohesive gel implants don’t necessarily change breast shape immediately, even after a rupture. The silicone gel stays largely contained within the capsule, sometimes called a “silent rupture.” Imaging may be needed to confirm.

Management depends on what’s found and what symptoms are present. Symptomatic ruptures generally warrant surgical assessment. Asymptomatic findings may also be discussed for revision, depending on implant age, type, and patient preference.

If you suspect a rupture, prompt assessment is appropriate. Not emergency-room urgency in most cases, but a consultation rather than wait-and-see.

Implant malposition and shape change

Implants can shift over time. Too low. Too high. Too far to the side. Or too close to the midline (synmastia).

Pocket stretching contributes. So does tissue change with weight fluctuation, pregnancy, ageing, and skin quality. Sometimes the original pocket dissection contributes. Sometimes implant size relative to the available tissue cover plays a role.

Revision options depend on the specific direction and severity of malposition:

• Pocket repair (suturing the pocket to restore correct implant position)
• Plane change (moving the implant from subglandular to subpectoral or vice versa)
• Implant exchange (sometimes with size or profile change)
• Mastopexy (lift) where significant breast ptosis has developed alongside malposition
• Internal bra technique in selected cases for additional pocket support

The published revision augmentation literature discusses pocket-control techniques as a critical component of secondary surgery planning. Outcomes generally improve with deliberate pocket management rather than implant exchange alone.

Do you need replacement, removal, or lift?

The decision frame I work through with patients at consultation:

This isn’t a rule book. Just a starting frame. The actual surgical plan depends on individual anatomy. Existing implant type and age. Capsule findings on imaging or examination. Skin quality. Patient goals. All worked through across two consultations under AHPRA cosmetic surgery requirements.

For patients considering explant without replacement, the discussion often includes whether a lift, fat grafting, or both might restore breast contour after implant removal. Some breasts settle back to a softer shape after explant. Others don’t. Tissue quality is the main variable.

BIA-ALCL and symptoms requiring assessment

BIA-ALCL (breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma) is a rare but recognised condition associated with breast implants, particularly textured implants.

The TGA states that BIA-ALCL usually presents with swelling caused by fluid accumulation around the implant. Less commonly, it presents as a lump in the breast or armpit. Other reported features include pain, asymmetry, capsular contracture, or skin changes.

Any new breast swelling, persistent pain, lump, shape change, or unexplained change around an implant should be assessed. Most changes won’t be BIA-ALCL. But they shouldn’t be ignored.

The TGA advises seeking medical attention promptly for any of these symptoms. Patients with implants are generally advised to have ongoing monitoring as part of standard breast implant follow-up care, and to alert their treating clinician to any new symptoms.

Revision consultation pathway for Canberra patients

Revision consultation is more involved than primary augmentation consultation.

Bring whatever records you have. Implant identification cards or records (if available). Previous operative reports (if available). Any imaging already performed (mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI). A list of current symptoms or concerns. The more information available at the first consultation, the more useful that consultation can be.

Assessment covers implant position and integrity. Capsule findings. Breast tissue and skin quality. Asymmetry. Goals. Surgery may be more complex than primary augmentation. Costs and recovery vary more than primary augmentation. Operating time is often longer. Hospital stay may differ.

The Medical Board and AHPRA cosmetic surgery guidelines that came into effect in July 2023 apply to revision surgery the same as primary augmentation. A GP referral before the consultation. At least two pre-operative consultations with the operating surgeon. Psychological screening. Informed consent. A cooling-off period of at least seven days after the second consultation and informed consent, before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid.

For patients travelling to Canberra for consultations or to Sydney for surgery, see Travelling from Canberra for Plastic Surgery for travel and accommodation guidance.

How this links to primary breast augmentation

If you’re considering breast augmentation for the first time, understanding revision is part of informed decision-making.

Implants can provide predictable volume and shape. They also require long-term monitoring. They may need future surgery. None of that means primary augmentation is wrong. It means going in with both eyes open is part of doing it well.

For first-time augmentation considerations, see Breast Augmentation Decision Guide for Canberra Patients.

For implant-specific comparison (round vs anatomical, profile, surface texture, placement), see Breast Implant Options for Canberra Patients.

For the implants vs fat transfer side of the conversation (relevant if you’re considering explant with fat grafting), see Breast Implants vs Fat Transfer for Canberra Patients.

Where to go from here

If you have existing implants and want individual assessment, the Breast Augmentation Canberra procedure page is the right place to start. Revision consultations follow the same AHPRA pathway as primary augmentation consultations.

For surgical detail on revision techniques specifically, see the breast implant revision procedure page.

For first-time augmentation decision context, see Breast Augmentation Decision Guide for Canberra Patients.

For implant comparison detail, see Breast Implant Options for Canberra Patients.

For implants vs fat transfer comparison, see Breast Implants vs Fat Transfer for Canberra Patients.

For pricing detail including how revision complexity affects quotes, see the Breast Augmentation Cost in Canberra 2026 guide.

If a lift is part of your revision discussion, see Breast Lift / Reduction in Canberra.

For patients with concerns about non-standard breast shape (where revision may overlap with tuberous correction territory), see Tuberous Breast Correction in Canberra.

To arrange a consultation, contact the practice online or call 1300 437 758. A GP referral is required before any cosmetic surgery consultation. Consultations at the Campbell clinic are held on Fridays by appointment.

Canberra Clinic: G24/6 Provan Street, Campbell ACT 2612 Email: [email protected] Consultations: Fridays by appointment

Frequently asked questions

Do breast implants need to be replaced every 10 years?

Not automatically. Breast implants are not lifetime devices, but replacement timing depends on symptoms, implant integrity, imaging findings, aesthetic change, and individual circumstances. The TGA and FDA both advise that additional surgery may be needed over the life of an implant because complications can occur. There’s no fixed expiry date that applies to every patient. Some patients have implants for many years without complication. Others need revision earlier.

What are common reasons for breast implant revision?

Common reasons include capsular contracture (firmness, distortion, pain), implant malposition, suspected rupture, rippling or palpable implant edges, asymmetry, size preference changes, pregnancy-related changes, weight change, and ageing-related breast ptosis. Published revision breast augmentation literature identifies capsular contracture, implant malposition, and ptosis after augmentation as the most common and challenging reasons for secondary surgery.

Can I replace my implants with a different size?

Possibly. Implant exchange may allow a change in size, profile, or shape, but the safe range depends on tissue quality, the existing implant pocket, skin stretch, breast base width, and previous surgical history. Larger size jumps may require pocket modification, capsulectomy, or a lift to support the new implant safely. Smaller size jumps may need a lift to address skin redundancy. The actual range available is assessed individually at consultation.

Can implants be removed without replacement?

In some patients, yes. Implants can be removed without replacement (explant), but the breast may look flatter, looser, or more deflated afterwards. Some patients also need a lift or fat grafting discussion depending on tissue quality, breast skin elasticity, and goals. The result of explant without replacement varies significantly between patients. Tissue elasticity is the main variable.

What symptoms after breast implants should be checked?

New swelling, a lump, persistent pain, shape change, breast enlargement, or armpit lump should be assessed. The TGA advises patients with swelling, lumps, or other implant concerns to seek medical attention promptly. Most changes won’t be serious. But they shouldn’t be ignored. Patients with implants are generally advised to have ongoing monitoring as part of standard breast implant follow-up care.