Safe and professional
Felt I was in very safe and professional hands from my first consultation with Bo. ESPECIALLY on the day of the operation itself, when I was very n…
Thomas Hansen
About the treatment
Breast implants are generally very durable, but they are not intended as a permanent solution. Over time, your body can change, your wishes can develop, and the implants themselves can give reason to consider a replacement. Whether the reason is medical or aesthetic, or a wish to update an older result with today's techniques and materials, implant replacement is a well-established and safe procedure, provided it is planned thoroughly and carried out by experienced hands.
At Caolín, we plan every treatment individually, with a focus on safety, aesthetics and a natural appearance, whether you want a straight replacement, a change of size, or a combination with a breast lift.
At a glance
- Price
- From DKK 42,900
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthetic
- Duration
- Approx. 1–2 hours
- Hospital stay
- 1-3 hours
- Downtime
- 1–2 weeks
- Final result
- Seen after 3–6 months
When is a replacement relevant?
There are many good reasons to consider replacing your breast implants, even without anything necessarily being wrong.
Some of the most common reasons are:
Capsular contracture
The capsule of scar tissue that naturally forms around an implant can in rare cases tighten and harden. This is known as capsular contracture and can change the shape of the breast, cause discomfort or pain, and is the most common medical reason for a replacement.
Implant rupture
Although modern implants are very durable, they can break over time. This can cause burning, stinging pain in the breast, or a change in the shape of the breast. Many people, however, experience no symptoms at all. An ultrasound scan is a safe and easy way to confirm or rule out any suspicion.
Changed wishes
Wishes about size and shape can change through life. Many women who chose large implants years ago today want a more understated and natural appearance – and vice versa.
The implants are old
Even when there is nothing wrong, many people choose to replace implants of a certain age to benefit from newer materials and techniques – and for peace of mind.
A wish for an improved shape
Techniques and implant design have developed considerably. A replacement can give a markedly more beautiful and natural result than the original procedure.
Rippling or a visible implant edge
If the implant is visible or can clearly be felt under the skin, a change of implant type or placement can solve the problem.
Choice of new implants
A replacement is an obvious opportunity to revisit the original choice of implant and benefit from newer and far better materials. Modern implants are softer, more natural and more durable than before.
At your consultation, we go through your wishes and your anatomy and find the implant that will give you the best result. You can try sizes, shapes and profiles before you decide.
What happens during the surgery?
The surgeon typically uses the existing scar from the original surgery, either in the inframammary fold or around the nipple (areola). This is to minimise new scarring. The old implant is removed, the capsule is assessed and treated as needed, and the new implant is inserted. The surgery typically takes 1–2 hours and is performed under general anaesthetic.
Depending on the situation, one or more of the following measures may be needed:
Capsulotomy
The capsule is scored to release a tight capsule and create room for the new implant.
Capsulectomy
The capsule is removed completely – particularly recommended in cases of pronounced capsular contracture or when you want to change the position of the implant.
Changing the position of the implant
For example, from over to under the muscle, for a more natural result or to reduce visible wrinkles and folds.
Combination with a breast lift
If the skin has lost elasticity since the original surgery, or if you want to go down in size, the replacement can be combined with a breast lift for an overall, more harmonious result.
Reviews
What our patients say
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Questions and answers
Here you'll find the whole process step by step — from your consultation to the first weeks at home. If there's anything you can't find an answer to, bring it along to your consultation.
A replacement is generally a safe procedure, but involves the same risks as a primary breast augmentation. The most common are bleeding, infection and capsular contracture. In cases of pronounced capsular contracture, rupture of the implant or complicated previous surgery, the procedure can be more technically demanding. We go through all relevant risks thoroughly at your consultation, particularly if your previous surgery was not carried out with us.
The recovery is in many ways similar to the original breast augmentation, but is typically easier, as the pectoral muscle has already been released and has expanded from the old implant. Most people therefore experience less swelling and tenderness than after the first surgery.
Whether your replacement is planned or comes about as a result of a complication, every treatment journey at Caolín begins with a thorough, no-obligation consultation. We go through your situation, assess your existing implants and advise you on the best options, with a focus on safety, aesthetics and a result that matches your wishes.
It helps if you bring precise information about your current implants to your consultation.
No, there is no fixed expiry date. Modern implants can last considerably longer than 10 years, and a replacement is only necessary if complications arise or if you want a change. Many women keep their implants for 15–20 years without problems.
Capsular contracture occurs when the natural capsule of scar tissue around the implant tightens and hardens. In mild cases it is harmless, but the breast feels firmer in consistency. In more severe cases it can cause pain and visible deformity, and requires surgical treatment.
Yes. A replacement is an obvious opportunity to adjust the size, shape and profile.
Yes. If the skin has lost elasticity since the first breast augmentation, a new implant alone will not give the best result. A combined procedure with a breast lift provides both renewed volume and the correct position and shape of the breast.
In most cases, yes. The surgeon uses the existing scar to avoid unnecessary new scarring. If the original incision placement is not optimal, or if the procedure is combined with a breast lift, a new scar position may in rare cases be needed.
Yes. Removing implants without replacing them with new ones is entirely possible and is described in more detail under “implant removal”. At your consultation, we discuss what you can expect your breasts to look like afterwards, and whether a breast lift or a breast augmentation with your own fat could be relevant.
That is no obstacle. We receive many patients for revision surgery and replacements after procedures carried out elsewhere, both in Denmark and abroad. We ask you to bring all available documentation about your existing implants, so we have the best possible basis for planning your treatment.
The process
What to expect at Caolín
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Consultation
The process begins with a thorough consultation, where you meet your plastic surgeon in calm, reassuring surroundings. Here we take the time to understand your wishes, your experience with your implants and your expectations for the time after the surgery.
Together we assess the shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin and how the tissue is expected to change after the removal. We also talk about whether other treatments, such as a breast lift or fat grafting, could be relevant in order to create the result you want.
It is important to us that you feel reassured, well informed and met with both expertise and understanding before you make your decision.
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Before the surgery
Once your treatment plan is in place, we guide you thoroughly through all the preparations leading up to the day of surgery. You will receive information about fasting, medication, supplements and smoking, among other things, as these factors can affect safety, wound healing and the final result.
We also recommend that you prepare for your first days at home in advance, so you can give your body the rest it needs to recover after the surgery. On the day of surgery, you arrive having fasted and wearing comfortable clothes, and our team makes sure you feel reassured and well prepared before the treatment begins.
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During the surgery
The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and typically takes around an hour, depending on the extent of the procedure. Before the surgery, the surgeon goes through the plan with you one last time and marks the area, so everything is carefully tailored to your anatomy.
During the surgery, the implants are removed with great precision, often through existing scars to minimise further scar tissue. In some cases, it may also be necessary to remove capsule tissue around the implant or to combine the treatment with other corrective procedures.
When the surgery is complete, the wounds are carefully closed, and you are fitted with a supportive bra that helps the breasts heal in the desired position.
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After the surgery
After the surgery, you are monitored by our staff in calm surroundings until you are ready to go home. During the first 24 hours, it is completely normal to feel tired, sore or slightly affected by the anaesthetic.
In the days that follow, the breasts will often feel tight, swollen or tender as your body gradually adjusts to the change. For many people, this process is not only physical but also emotional, particularly if the implants have been part of the body for many years.
It is important to let your body rest, while still keeping gently active with small movements and short walks. The result develops gradually over the coming weeks and months, as the swelling subsides and the tissue settles into its new shape. You are followed closely throughout the whole process, and we are always available if you have questions along the way.
Book a free consultation at Caolín
Your journey begins with a personal consultation. Here we go through your wishes and options, so that together we can create a treatment plan that feels right for you.
The specialists
Bo Sonnich Rasmussen, MD, PHD
Founder & Chief Plastic Surgeon
Bo Sonnich Rasmussen is a consultant in plastic surgery and one of the Nordic region's leading specialists in cosmetic breast surgery and advanced facial surgery, and one of the few surgeons to master endoscopic facelift without visible scars. He holds a PhD in breast reconstruction using stem-cell-enriched fat grafting and is internationally recognised for his work and research in the field.
Frederik Kølle, MD, PHD
Founder & Chief Plastic Surgeon
Frederik Kølle is a certified and internationally recognised plastic surgeon specialising in facial and cosmetic surgery as well as advanced fat grafting and body contouring. He is among the Nordic region's leading experts and masters the full spectrum of facial and breast surgery.
Financing your treatment
We offer financing, so you can split the payment. If you have any questions about financing, you are always welcome to contact us – or ask at your consultation.
The calculation is for guidance only. Credit assessment and terms are set by Resurs Bank.