If that is you, the most useful thing to know is that revision is a different operation from a first augmentation, not a repeat of it. The surgeon works with tissue that has already been operated on, so the planning, the timing and the length of surgery often differ, depending on the reason for revision and the procedure needed.
Hello from SM Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, Seoul. Some of the people who contact us from the US and elsewhere are not planning a primary breast augmentation at all. They had implants placed years ago, somewhere else, and now something about the implants or the shape of the breast no longer feels right.
If that is you, the most useful thing to know is that revision is a different operation from a first augmentation, not a repeat of it. The surgeon works with tissue that has already been operated on, so the planning, the timing and the length of surgery often differ, depending on the reason for revision and the procedure needed.
How is revision surgery different from a primary breast augmentation?
In a primary augmentation, the pocket for the implant is created in tissue that has not held an implant before. In a revision, there is already a capsule — the layer of scar tissue the body forms around an implant — and there may be scar tissue from the earlier incision. The surgeon has to assess and often adjust what is already there before placing a new implant.
| Point to compare | Primary augmentation | Revision or implant exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Starting tissue | No implant or capsule yet | Existing capsule and possible scar tissue |
| Surgery time | About 1 to 1.5 hours for implant placement alone | Usually longer; depends on what needs to be done |
| Information needed | Measurements and the look you want | All of that, plus details of the earlier implant and incision |
| Planning focus | Choosing implant, size and incision | Understanding why the change is needed, then planning |
At SM Plastic Surgery, revision surgery, implant exchange and surgery for capsular contracture (such as removing or releasing the capsule) are part of the breast practice. Dr. Lee Moo-young, the medical director, handles your care directly from consultation to surgery, so the surgeon who examines your previous result is also the one who plans and performs the revision.
When is revision usually considered?
Timing depends on the reason. In Dr. Lee's guidance, when there is an urgent reason — such as implant rupture, infection or pain — revision may need to move forward promptly once the cause has been assessed. Outside those cases, he generally advises waiting until any damaged tissue has recovered, usually six months or more, although the right timing is decided for each person.
For someone travelling from abroad, this has a practical side. If a surgeon has confirmed that your concern is not urgent, there is time to send information ahead, attend a consultation, and plan the surgery date without rushing.
What should I bring from my original surgery?
The more the surgeon knows about what is already inside, the better prepared the examination will be. Bring whatever you have:
- The implant brand, type, size and surface, if known — check your implant card or the product sticker from your surgery records, if you received one
- The incision site and the approximate date of surgery
- The name of the clinic where it was done, and any operative notes you can request from them
- Reports from any recent breast ultrasound or MRI
If some of this is missing, that is common, especially for surgery done many years ago. The examination starts from what can be confirmed.
What implants are used when an implant is replaced?
For new implants, SM Plastic Surgery currently uses Motiva and Mentor. For Motiva, only the first-generation implants are currently imported into Korea; for Mentor, both MemoryGel and MemoryGel Xtra are used (known in Korea as the Classic and Xtra lines). The incision is chosen from periareolar (around the areola), transaxillary (in the armpit) or inframammary (along the fold under the breast), and the choice is made at consultation, taking your earlier incision into account.
If your current implants are Sebbin, note that Sebbin production and shipping stopped after the French manufacturer's court-ordered liquidation in March 2025, and the manufacturer's warranty is currently not in effect. That does not mean every Sebbin implant needs to come out. Regular check-ups, including imaging when the surgeon advises it, are the way to monitor them, and replacement can be discussed at consultation if you are considering it.
Frequently asked questions
Q1) Do breast implants need to be replaced every 10 years?
A1) There is no fixed 10-year rule, and the FDA has not set a 10-year replacement interval. Implants are not lifetime devices, so regular check-ups matter, and replacement is considered when a reason is found at examination or on imaging, or when there is a change you want.
Q2) My first surgery was in the US. Can I have the revision in Seoul?
A2) Revision of implants placed at other clinics is part of the breast practice, so it can be considered. Whether it suits you is decided after examination and a review of your records, so please bring them.
Q3) Does a revision take longer than the first surgery?
A3) Usually, yes. A primary augmentation with implant placement alone takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, and revision or a combined procedure usually takes longer. The expected time is explained after examination.
Q4) Is general anesthesia used for revision?
A4) It depends on the plan. Sedation is administered by Dr. Lee himself, and when general anesthesia is required, an anesthesiologist is invited to the clinic for that surgery. There is no full-time anesthesiologist on staff.
Results and recovery differ between individuals. Please make decisions after a full consultation with a plastic surgeon.
In breast revision, implant replacement, or capsular contracture correction, the extent of surgery depends on the existing capsule and tissue condition, and bleeding, hematoma, seroma, infection, swelling, and bruising may be greater than after the first surgery. Capsular contracture may recur, and implant displacement, asymmetry, tissue thinning, changes in sensation, and scarring may occur. Additional surgery may be needed, and results depend on the existing condition and are not guaranteed.