Portsmouth, NH - Over time, your body changes,including the appearance of your breasts. Numerous factors such as heredity, hormonal or weight changes and aging can result in variations to the size, shape and look of your breasts. Changes in breast appearance are common in women whose breasts have never been surgically enhanced or in women who have had cancer and whose breasts were reconstructed. A breast reconstructed with an implant will change to a lesser degree than a natural breast will change in the course of a lifetime. Asymmetry can developed between reconstructed breast and a natural breast. Recommendations my included include reconstruction of one or more breasts to improve their symmetry.

Breast implants may, but are not expected to, necessarily last a lifetime. There may be specific reasons why women may wish to or need to have implants replaced. A woman may want to change to silicone from saline. A woman may want to her implants to increase breast size, or improve shape, feel, or breast proportions to the body as a whole. If a woman experiences any discomfort with her current implants, such as discomfort from scar tissue or a capsular contracture (a feeling or tightening or hardening around the implant), she should report it to a doctor. Understanding the options available to you in replacing your implants requires as much consideration as your original decision to get breast implants. The current position of your existing implant, your desired breast size, shape and projection along with your natural breast tissue, body size and frame are all evaluated to determine which implant that can best improve your body image.

A breast that has been enhanced with an implant can sag due to changes in breast tissue. When natural breast tissue loses firmness or thins with age, an implant positioned between the breast tissue and chest muscle (sub-mammary or sub-glandular) may droop. A breast implant replacement, also called secondary augmentation, is often done with a breast lift. Revising implant size and shape alone may provide some improvement. The addition of breast lift techniques may be recommended to reshape sagging breast tissue. Revising the position of an implant beneath the chest muscle (sub-muscular) may also be recommended. Dr. Lawrence Gray is a board certified plastic surgeon who has performed over 1,000 breast implant replacements in the course of his career. Breast implant replacement can be performed in our certified private facility. Visit our website at http://www.atlanticplasticsurg.com to learn about the complete range of plastic surgical procedures or call Atlantic Plastic Surgery Center at 1-800-633-6860 for additional information.

About Atlantic Plastic Surgery Center:
Atlantic Plastic Surgery Center is the practice of New Hampshire plastic surgeon, Dr. Lawrence Gray, since 1985. Dr. Gray is nationally and internationally recognized as the inventor of the Scarless Breast Reduction, a revolutionary procedure that eliminates scars associated with the older, traditional method of breast reduction. Dr. Gray has taught at educational conferences for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and is the only member of the International Society of Plastic Surgeons from New Hampshire. Dr. Mark Ballentyne has been Director of Medical Aesthetics at the Skin Wellness Center since 2003. Dr. Ballentyne is board-certified by the American Academy of Family Practice Physicians, is licensed to practice in New Hampshire and will be fully certified by the Board of Aesthetic Medicine in September 2011. He has established a strong reputation for his talent in administering dermal fillers, BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport injections, and Fraxel laser treatments. He is a national traine for Allerganâ„¢. Dr. Brannon Claytor is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery and in hand surgery. Dr. Claytor is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, offering patients a high level of skill, outstanding training and commitment to excellence in cosmetic, reconstructive and hand surgery. He had an additional year of training in breast microsurgery, oncologic reconstruction and hand microsurgery at Washington University in St. Louis and was on the teaching faculty of Lahey Clinic Medical Center. For more information, please visit us on the Web at http://www.atlanticplasticsurg.com/.