The Breast Implant Revision is not a standard or routine surgical procedure. It is generally for women who have undergone breast surgery from other plastic surgeons and are sometimes not satisfied with their ultimate results. Our cosmetic surgeons at CRS Plastic Surgery offer breast revision surgery to correct problems or dissatisfaction such as symmastia, malpositioning, bottoming out, capsular contracture, or asymmetrical breasts. Through various surgical techniques, our physicians can address patients’ dissatisfaction and correct any abnormalities.
Common Reasons Women Get Implant Revision Surgery
Beyond an implant rupture, these are the most common reasons for implant revision and how Dr. Low and Dr. Cheung perform the surgery for each:
- Changing the implant size: When a woman is unsatisfied with the size of her implants, Dr. Low or Dr. Cheung will enter through the original incisions. If a larger implant is desired, they will increase the size of the pocket, the space in the breast to hold the implant. If the patient seeks smaller implants, they will reduce the size of the pocket with sutures to fit the smaller implants. In cases of reduction, a breast lift may be done in conjunction with the implant revision to remove any sagging tissue and possibly relocate the nipples.
- Capsular contracture: The body reacts when an implant is placed. This reaction is called the “capsule” and it is made up of calcified cells and scar tissue. If this capsule becomes very thick and causes the implant to shift or the breast to feel very firm, or if there is pain from the constricting scar tissue, this is called capsular contracture. If the capsule is very calcified, they will remove it along with the implant. If it isn’t, they usually will leave it in place. If there is a rupture of a silicone implant, the capsule may contain silicone shell fragments, silicone gel, and inflammatory cells that all need to be removed prior to placing new implants.
- Implant rippling: Sometimes, particularly with saline implants placed atop the chest muscle, the implants show rippling, and the edges may even be able to be felt. In these cases, your CRS surgeon enters through the original incision and replaces the implants with better muscle coverage. This may involve switching implant types and/or placing them in new breast pockets.
- Implant position: Sometimes the implant pockets were created either too far apart or too close together and the patient is not happy with the placement. In these cases, Dr. Low or Dr. Cheung will use scar tissue from the capsule and will reconstruct new pockets for the implants in better positions.
- Implant removal: When a patient decides she no longer wants to have her implants, they are removed through the same incisions. We will also remove the capsule if it is calcified and thick. It’s likely we will recommend a breast lift at the same time to remove excess sagging skin and breast tissue.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Breast Implant Revision Surgery?
Candidacy for breast implant revision surgery with either Dr. Low or Dr. Cheung can be either for need or for aesthetic change. Obviously, if one of your implants has ruptured, you’ll need to have the ruptured implant and the other implant removed and replaced. If you have saline implants, you’ll know immediately when your implants have ruptured, as the side that has ruptured will immediately deflate. Things aren’t so straightforward with silicone implants, as modern silicone gel tends to adhere to itself and not migrate from the shell. At your recommended regular MRI, any rupture will show up.
Also, in cases of capsular contracture, where scar tissue has formed beyond the normal amount and is now causing pain, asymmetry, or other issues with your breasts, revision surgery would be necessary.
Aesthetically, although breast augmentation surgery has incredibly high satisfaction rates, you may want to change your implants for a larger or smaller size. You may not be pleased with the placement of your implants in a prior surgery performed elsewhere. We can make the revisions you seek to create the results you’re looking for.
How To Prepare For Breast Implant Revision?
These aren’t overly difficult procedures, as Dr. Low or Dr. Cheung can usually use the same incision locations as were used to place the implants originally. Recovery is not overly painful, and it won’t impact your entire body. Your preparation will be the same as it would be with any surgery. You’ll need to stop taking any blood thinning medications, anti-inflammatories, aspirin, and most supplements for a week prior to your revision surgery. These can all lead to increased bleeding and subsequent bruising. If you smoke, you’ll need to stop for two weeks prior to your surgery and two weeks after, as smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict and that can impede healing.
What Can I Expect From My Results After Having Breast Revision Surgery?
If you’ve had a problem with your implants, such as rupture or capsular contracture, your new implants will return your breasts to their former shape and any pain you’ve had from the constricting scar tissue will be gone.
If you weren’t happy with the implant placement or had other aesthetic reasons for seeing us at CRS for this procedure, these changes should correct or improve any issues.
Results
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What Will My Recovery Be Like After Breast Implant Revision Surgery?
Because our surgeons can usually enter through the same incisions as used for the original augmentation, these are easier recoveries than with the original procedure. Most patients can return to work in just a few days.
See What Our Patients Are Saying...
"Best doctors ever my mom did a face lift and breast augmentation and replace old implant both doctor low and Cheung take their time to explain and make you comfortable. great job very happy and thanks a lot for the hospitality it was great choice will recommend to other to get procedure with this office both doctor are excellent Been and done with both of the doctor super happy 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻This office is awesome all the nurse the surgery coordinator caludia they all all great thank you so so much."
Risks Involved With Breast Revision Surgery
Breast revision surgery with the board-certified surgeons at CRS is very low risk, but it is still surgery, so there are the same risks as with any surgery: excessive bleeding, infection, reaction to anesthesia, poor incision healing, and the like. With the training, expertise, and board-certified experience of Dr. Low and Dr. Cheung, complications such as these are quite rare.
It would be a greater risk to leave a condition such as capsular contracture unaddressed. The scar tissue will continue to form around the implant shell and any problems you’re having now will only get worse.
It’s important for you to be happy with your breasts and if revision surgery is necessary to attain that, then the minimal risks are well worth the improved end result.
Will I Have Noticeable Scarring After These Procedures?
We usually are able to place the new implants through the same incisions as your original implants, so there isn’t any new scarring. If we perform a breast lift along with your revision, there will be some scarring based on the incision method used.
Looking For Skilled Revision Surgery For YourBreast Implants?
Our skilled trusted and respected plastic surgeons are to help you with Breast Implant Revision. They will help to determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure. Please book a one-on-one appointment with one of our top doctors today! Call 954-466-0325 or fill out the Appointment Request Form below. We look forward to serving you!
