Capsular contracture occurs when scar tissue around the implant tightens excessively. This can cause firmness, distortion, discomfort, implant displacement or an unnatural appearance. In some patients, capsular contracture develops many years after the original augmentation.

Implants can also gradually shift position over time. This may lead to bottoming out, lateral displacement, symmastia, high-riding implants or asymmetry. Pregnancy, weight changes, implant size, tissue stretch and skin quality can all contribute to these changes.

Although modern silicone implants are highly durable, implant rupture can still occur over time. Some ruptures are silent and only identified on imaging.

Other patients seek revision because the implants feel too large, too visible or no longer suit their body shape. Thin soft tissue coverage can sometimes make implant edges or rippling more noticeable, particularly in thin patients, post-weight loss patients or patients with larger implants.

Ageing, pregnancy, breastfeeding and weight fluctuations can also cause the breast tissue itself to descend over time. In these cases, a breast lift may be required alongside implant revision to restore balance between the implant and breast shape.

Breast implant revision surgery may be appropriate for patients who:

• have implant-related complications
• are unhappy with implant size or shape
• have developed breast drooping over time
• have implant rupture
• have capsular contracture
• wish to remove or exchange implants
• would like a more natural appearance.

Factors that can affect suitability for surgery include smoking, obesity, unstable weight, poor nutritional status, poorly controlled medical conditions, previous radiation therapy and significant thinning of the breast tissues.

If these factors are relevant to you, the Morphē team will work with you before surgery to help optimise your preparation and recovery. This may include support from our dietitians, endocrinologist, obesity physicians, physiotherapists or psychologist where appropriate.

Revision breast surgery requires careful planning and realistic expectations regarding both improvement and surgical limitations. Patients who have undergone multiple previous breast procedures may also have thinner tissues, more scarring or reduced skin elasticity, which can increase surgical complexity and influence the available treatment options.

Preparation for revision breast surgery focuses on improving healing, reducing complications and achieving the most stable long-term result possible.

At Morphē Clinic, this may include nutritional support, smoking cessation support, weight stability optimisation, psychological support and detailed implant planning before surgery.

During your consultation, Dr Alex Cameron will assess your existing implants, breast tissue, skin quality, scar tissue, implant position and overall breast shape to help determine the most appropriate surgical plan. 

Imaging such as ultrasound or MRI may occasionally be required, particularly when implant rupture is suspected. Existing implant details and implant registry information will be also reviewed where available.

The goal is not simply to replace an implant, but to restore balance between the implant, breast tissue and soft tissue support of the chest wall.

Breast implant revision surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and usually takes between 2-5 hours depending on the complexity of surgery.

Most patients either go home the same day or stay overnight in hospital.

Revision surgery is highly individualised and may involve one or several procedures performed together. Where possible, existing scars are reused during revision surgery.

In some patients, the existing implants are removed and replaced with new implants. This may involve changing implant size, profile, type or implant position to improve breast shape and symmetry.

In other cases, part or all of the scar tissue capsule surrounding the implant may also be removed. This is called a capsulectomy and may be performed for capsular contracture, implant rupture, chronic inflammation or implant malposition.

A breast lift is commonly combined with revision surgery when the breast tissue has descended or the skin envelope no longer matches the implant position. This helps restore harmony between the breast tissue, skin envelope and implant.

Fat grafting is also frequently used in revision surgery. This involves transferring your own fat from areas such as the abdomen, flanks or thighs into the breast to improve soft tissue thickness, camouflage implant edges, reduce rippling and refine contour.

In patients with poor tissue support, recurrent implant movement or stretched tissues, internal support materials such as GalaFLEX mesh may occasionally be used. These materials act like an internal scaffold to help support the breast and improve long-term implant stability.

Dressings are applied at the completion of surgery and a supportive surgical bra is usually worn continuously for approximately six weeks. Drains are occasionally required depending on the extent of surgery performed.

Dr Cameron performs breast implant revision procedures at Burnside Hospital, St Andrew’s Hospital or Glenelg Community Hospital.

Breast implant revision surgery can substantially improve implant position, breast symmetry, contour, rippling and overall breast shape.

Many patients also experience relief from symptoms such as firmness, distortion, discomfort or implant instability caused by capsular contracture or implant malposition.

Some patients seek revision to achieve a softer, more natural appearance or a breast shape that better suits their body and lifestyle.

The degree of improvement depends on factors such as:

• tissue quality
• skin elasticity
• previous surgery
• existing scarring
• implant characteristics
• the amount of available soft tissue support.

Fat grafting and breast lift techniques are often important tools in helping achieve a more natural and balanced result.

Breast revision surgery aims to improve balance, shape and stability, however perfectly identical breasts are not achievable and some asymmetry is normal. 

Breast tissue and skin continue to change over time. Ageing, pregnancy and weight fluctuations can still affect the breasts in the future, and further revision surgery may eventually be required.

Recovery following breast implant revision surgery varies depending on the complexity of surgery performed.

Procedures involving capsulectomy, implant plane change, breast lift surgery or internal support mesh are generally more uncomfortable than a straightforward implant exchange.

Most patients experience swelling, tightness and discomfort during the first one to two weeks after surgery.

Pain is generally manageable with simple pain relief such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medication, with stronger prescription pain relief used when required.

Initially, the breasts may appear higher, firmer and more swollen than the final result. Over time, swelling settles and the tissues gradually soften into a more natural position. Final implant settling and scar maturation continue over six to twelve months.

Temporary asymmetry during healing is common.

Revision surgery often reuses existing scars where possible, although additional scars may occasionally be required if a breast lift is performed.

We will guide you through scar care, which may include silicone therapy, scar massage, taping, sun protection and occasionally laser treatment.

Follow-up appointments are scheduled throughout your recovery, and Dr Cameron is happy to review you at any stage if you have concerns.

As a general guide, most patients are able to return to regular activity as follows:

• Walking: around 1 week
• Jogging: 2–4 weeks
• Gym: around 6 weeks
• Swimming: around 6 weeks
• Desk-based work: usually 1–3 weeks
• Physical work or lifting: usually 4–6 weeks
• Driving: usually 1–2 weeks.

All surgery carries some degree of risk. These risks are reduced through careful preparation, surgical planning, post-operative care, and the experience and judgement of Dr Cameron and the Morphē team.

General risks associated with breast surgery will be discussed with you before your procedure.

Risks specific to breast implant revision surgery may include:

• Scarring. Additional scarring may be required during revision surgery, and existing scars may become more noticeable or widen over time.
• Capsular contracture recurrence. Capsular contracture can recur despite revision surgery.
• Implant malposition recurrence. Implant displacement may recur over time, particularly in patients with poor tissue quality or stretched soft tissue support.
• Wound healing issues. Delayed healing is more common in revision surgery than primary breast augmentation. Smoking and previous surgery increase this risk.
• Altered sensation. Temporary or permanent changes in nipple or breast sensation may occur.

Risks specific to breast implant revision surgery may include: (cont.)

• Implant rupture or failure. Breast implants remain non-lifetime devices and future surgery should still be anticipated.
• Fat graft resorption. Some transferred fat does not survive long term, and multiple fat grafting sessions are occasionally required.
• Mesh-related complications. When internal support materials such as GalaFLEX are used, complications such as infection, palpability, seroma or delayed healing are uncommon but possible.
• Residual asymmetry. Perfect symmetry is not achievable and small differences between the breasts are common.
• Need for further revision surgery. Revision breast surgery has one of the higher revision rates in aesthetic surgery because breast tissues continue to age and change over time. Weight fluctuations, pregnancy, implant biomechanics and skin quality can all influence the long-term result.