Breast Implant Revision in Santa Monica, CA
Many women choose breast augmentation to feel more confident in their feminine figure, but it’s completely natural for preferences to change over time. Maybe you’re considering a different implant size, curious about switching to a new type of implant, or dealing with discomfort or complications from a previous surgery. Whatever brings you to the decision to alter or enhance your initial breast augmentation, breast implant revision can be an opportunity to realign your results with how you want to look and feel today.
Dr. Safa Sharabi is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Santa Monica who takes a thoughtful, personalized approach to breast implant revision surgery. She understands that every woman’s story is unique and works closely with you to create a plan that fits your goals, lifestyle, and comfort. Women from across the Los Angeles area visit her practice for her expertise, guidance, and compassionate care to feel beautifully in tune with who they are now.
To learn more, schedule your consultation with Dr. Sharabi by calling our office at (310) 692-8626 or by completing our online form.
What Is a Breast Implant Revision?
Breast implant revision, also known as breast implant exchange or revision breast augmentation, is a procedure designed to correct concerns following a previous breast augmentation. For some women, this includes addressing complications that have arisen from their initial surgery, such as capsular contracture or implant shifting. For others, it’s simply a desire to update their look, choosing a different implant type, or adjusting their breast size to better match their current preferences and lifestyle.
Even when an initial augmentation is performed with exceptional skill, changes can naturally occur over time. Implants can age, the body may respond differently than expected, or personal aesthetic goals may evolve. Breast implant revision offers women a second chance to refine their results, restore their comfort, and achieve an appearance that feels right for them today.
Common reasons women consider breast implant revision include:
- Capsular Contracture
- Implant deflation or leak
- Desire for a larger or smaller size
- Switching implant type (saline to silicone)
- Changing breast shape or projection
- Implant malposition or shifting
- Drooping or loss of breast support over time
- Nipple or areola irregularities
No matter the reason, Dr. Sharabi provides a thoughtful, individualized approach to revision surgery. As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, she combines advanced surgical expertise with a deep commitment to your safety, comfort, and natural-looking results. Women throughout Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and the surrounding communities trust Dr. Sharabi to help them navigate their options and achieve outcomes that feel beautifully aligned with their goals.
Breast Implant Exchange Options with Dr. Safa Sharabi
Saline to Silicone
If you aren’t absolutely satisfied with the look and feel of your saline implants, you may want to exchange them for something that looks and feels more natural. Or maybe you’ve had your saline implants for years and want to be proactive about exchanging them before a leak or rupture happens. Whatever your reason might be, Dr. Sharabi can switch your implants from saline to silicone.
Change Implant Size
If it’s the size of your implants that you would like to revise, Dr. Sharabi can help you determine the size of implants that will best match your current aesthetic, while still considering your overall safety and appearance.
Textured to Smooth
If you’re experiencing discomfort or concerns related to your textured breast implants – or simply prefer the feel and reduced risk profile of smooth implants – an exchange may be the right choice for you. Smooth implants deliver natural movement and have a lower association with certain complications, including the development of Breast Implant Associated Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Dr. Sharabi can safely remove your textured implants and replace them with smooth implants that better align with your physical comfort, peace of mind, and aesthetic goals.
Ideal Candidates for Breast Implant Revision in Santa Monica, CA
Ideal candidates for breast implant revision in Santa Monica are individuals who want to change the type, size, or shape of their current breast implants or treat a complication caused by their current breast implants or initial breast augmentation procedure.
Candidates for surgery must be in good overall health with no serious medical concerns or conditions that could interfere with their surgical success or recovery. To determine whether breast implant revision is best for you, Dr. Sharabi will provide her expert feedback and guide you through the entire process.
What to Expect from Your Breast Implant Exchange Consultation?
At Dr. Safa Sharabi’s Santa Monica practice, your breast implant revision begins with a thoughtful, collaborative consultation designed to help you feel informed, supported, and confident in your decisions. Dr. Sharabi and her team believe that the best surgical outcomes start with open communication and a clear understanding of your goals.
During your consultation, you’ll meet with Dr. Sharabi for a detailed overview of the revision process. This is your opportunity to talk through what brought you in. You’ll learn about the various implant options available today, including different size options, shapes, and materials, and you’ll be able to see and feel sample implants to get a better sense of what might suit your vision.
Dr. Sharabi will also walk you through her surgical approach, potential techniques she may recommend, and what your recovery could look like. Every question is welcome, and she’ll take the time to ensure you feel fully informed before moving forward. You’ll also receive an initial overview of cost and have the chance to discuss any follow-up questions.
Female Plastic Surgeon
Why Choose Dr. Safa Sharabi for Your Breast Implant Revision?
Women throughout Los Angeles trust Dr. Safa Sharabi for her blend of surgical expertise, aesthetic precision, and deeply personalized care. As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Sharabi brings a level of training and expertise that allows her to navigate even the most complex revision cases with confidence and skill.
What truly sets Dr. Sharabi apart is her commitment to individualized treatment planning. She takes the time to understand your goals, your concerns, and your surgical history to design a revision approach that is tailored to you. Her practice is built around patient-centered communication. From your consultation to your last follow-up, you’ll feel supported, informed, and empowered to make decisions that align with your vision.
What to Expect from Your Breast Implant Exchange Procedure with Dr. Safa Sharabi
On the day of your breast implant revision, you’ll arrive at a fully accredited surgical facility, where you will be welcomed and settled before your surgery. Before heading into your breast implant revision surgery, Dr. Sharabi will meet with you once more to review the details of your personalized surgical plan. She’ll take the time to mark the areas where incisions will be made. Oftentimes, these incisions will be made in the same locations as your original augmentation to avoid additional scarring. Dr. Sharabi will walk you through her approach, including how anesthesia will be administered, where incisions will be placed, how she plans to approach any scar tissue, and what to expect during your recovery.
Once everything is prepared, you will be guided into a restful sleep. From there, Dr. Sharabi will begin the revision process, which typically takes one to two hours depending on your needs. Revision surgery can be more complex than the initial breast augmentation surgery because the body naturally forms a capsule of scar tissue around each implant. During your procedure, Dr. Sharabi will carefully remove the old implants along with the capsule, if that is indicated, before placing your new implants.
After the implants are positioned and the incisions are closed, you’ll be moved to a private recovery area where the nursing team will monitor you as you wake up comfortably. Before you head home, you’ll receive clear post-operative instructions and guidance to support a smooth, confident recovery.
Breast Implant Revision Recovery
After your breast implant revision with Dr. Safa Sharabi, you’ll wake up in a warm, quiet recovery area where the nursing team will monitor you closely. Once Dr. Sharabi confirms that you’re stable and comfortable, you’ll be released into the care of a trusted friend or family member. Before you leave, your instructions will be reviewed with your caregiver, who will review your post-operative instructions to ensure you feel fully prepared.
Recovery from breast implant revision can be very similar to your breast augmentation recovery. Most patients experience one to two weeks of downtime, with the first seven days focused exclusively on rest. Light walking is recommended to support healthy circulation, but otherwise, your primary job is to rest and let your body heal.
As you move into the second week of your recovery, swelling and bruising begin to fade, and you’ll likely feel more like yourself again. You can gradually increase your activities, though it’s important to avoid heavy lifting, extensive exercise, or putting pressure on your breasts until Dr. Sharabi clears you. Most patients return to work within 10 to 14 days, especially if their job is sedentary. Final results from breast implant revision usually become noticeable around six to eight weeks once swelling has resolved, and the implants have had a chance to settle into their new position.
Schedule Your Breast Implant Revision with Dr. Safa Sharabi Today
To learn more about breast implant revision options in Santa Monica, CA, contact Dr. Safa Sharabi’s office today at (310) 692-8626 to schedule your consultation. If you underwent a breast augmentation but your aesthetics have changed, or you’re experiencing complications from your initial surgery, complete our online form today to explore your breast implant revision options.
Breast Implant Revision FAQS
How do I know if I need a breast implant revision?
Many women consider revision when they notice changes in breast appearance, discomfort, or a shift in their aesthetic goals. Signs that it may be time to consult Dr. Sharabi include visible implant changes, persistent tightness or discomfort, or a desire for a different size or look. A consultation is the best way to determine whether revision surgery is appropriate.
Can breast implant revision improve the appearance of older implants?
Yes. Breast implant revision can refresh and modernize your results by addressing aging implants, changes in breast tissue over time, or shifts in implant position. Dr. Sharabi can help you achieve a more natural, balanced, and updated look that aligns with your current preferences.
Will breast implant revision leave additional scars?
In most cases, Dr. Sharabi places incisions in the same locations as your original augmentation to minimize new scarring. When new incisions are required, they are positioned in discreet, natural folds to keep them as hidden as possible. Scars will typically fade significantly over time with proper care, which Dr. Sharabi instructs all patients on.
How long do breast implants last before a revision is recommended?
While implants don’t have an exact expiration date, many women choose to update them after 10 to 15 years due to natural aging, lifestyle changes, or evolving aesthetic goals. Regular check‑ins with a qualified surgeon like Dr. Sharabi can help determine when a revision may be beneficial.
Can I switch from saline to silicone implants during revision surgery?
Absolutely. Many women use revision surgery as an opportunity to change implant type based on their current preferences. Dr. Sharabi will explain the differences between saline and silicone implants and help you choose the option that best fits your goals.