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Implant Exchange
Charlotte's Most Trusted Plastic Surgeon
— delivering confidence through precision and care.
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Refresh, Resize or Reimagine Your Breasts
Over the years, your body changes, your preferences evolve, and what once felt perfect may no longer suit you. If you have breast implants and want to update your look or switch to a newer implant style, Dr. Brian May can help you navigate this next chapter with precision and care.
General
1-3 hours
1-2 weeks
What is
Implant Exchange
?
Breast implant exchange is a surgical procedure that replaces your current implants with new ones. This might mean switching to a different size, changing from saline to silicone (or vice versa), updating to a newer implant technology or adjusting the placement for improved results.
Many women pursue implant exchange after living with their original implants for several years. Implants don't last forever, and even without complications, most will eventually need to be replaced. An exchange procedure gives you the opportunity to reassess your goals and make adjustments that align with your current lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.
- Dr. Brian May
What Can Breast Implant Exchange Address?
Breast implant exchange offers a chance to refine your results and correct any concerns. Dr. May's expert techniques can address:
- A desire to change implant size (larger or smaller)
- Switching between saline and silicone implants
- Upgrading to newer implant technology
- Correcting implant position or pocket location
- Addressing capsular contracture
- Improving symmetry between breasts
- Replacing aging implants before complications develop
Some patients know exactly what changes they want, while others simply feel ready for something different. Dr. May will guide you through the options and help you determine which implant characteristics will best achieve your vision.
The Art & Science of Breast Surgery With Dr. May
Dr. May recognizes the real experiences that bring patients to his consultation room. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations and the natural aging process all leave their mark on the breasts, affecting how you feel in your clothes, at the beach or in intimate moments. His approach to breast surgery helps you regain your confidence with beautiful results that enhance your natural contours, with an emphasis on restoring proportion and balance.
Dr. May's breast surgery experience spans the full range of procedures, from breast lifts and reductions to augmentations and revisions. He performs each with the same level of detail and precision his patients have come to expect, delivering results that look and feel natural. His thoughtful approach gives you the time, space and guidance to make decisions that are right for your body, helping you feel confident in your choices throughout the entire process.
- Dr. Brian May
Breast Implant Exchange
Procedure Details
At May Plastic Surgery, breast implant exchange is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Dr. May typically uses your existing incision to access the implant pocket, avoiding additional scarring whenever possible.
The specifics of your procedure depend on what changes you're making. A straightforward size change may be relatively simple, while switching implant placement requires more extensive work. Dr. May may also perform a capsulectomy if there's significant scar tissue buildup, or a capsulorrhaphy to tighten a pocket that has stretched over time.
When patients are changing to significantly smaller implants or have experienced tissue changes since their original augmentation, Dr. May often recommends combining the exchange with a breast lift to ensure your breasts maintain a youthful shape with your new implants.
Recovery & Results
Recovery from breast implant exchange follows a similar timeline to your original augmentation, though many patients find it slightly easier the second time around. Expect some swelling, bruising and tenderness during the first week. Dr. May will provide a surgical bra for support, and most patients feel comfortable returning to light activities within seven to 10 days.
Results will be visible immediately, but allow several months for everything to settle into its final position. The tissues around your implants need time to adjust, particularly if Dr. May made changes to the pocket or performed additional procedures. Once healing is complete, you can expect your results to last many years before another exchange becomes necessary.
Inside the Consultation Room With
Dr. Brian May
Adjunct Procedures:
To take your
Implant Exchange
results to the next level, consider these options for a more complete transformation:
Request Your Consultation
Your tastes, your body and your life have likely changed since your original breast augmentation. Dr. May understands that breast implant exchange is an opportunity to realign your appearance with your current self. Call May Plastic Surgery at 704-200-2493 to schedule your consultation and discover what updated implants could look like for you.
Let's Connect
We are here to help. Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to schedule, our team is here to answer your questions about procedures, recovery, and next steps — and to personally guide you every step of the way.