These days my patients are quite informed about the procedures they are requesting from me. They’re reliant on my professional advice on the details and implementation of their goals, but most Breast Augmentation patients have an idea about what the procedure entails. The lesser known sister of Breast Augmentation is Breast Revision surgery. There are a variety of reasons someone might need this “surgery after the surgery,” and I’ll cover those here.
Breast Revision surgery is for someone who’s already had a Breast Augmentation and needs a change that requires another surgery to the breast area at any point in time near or distant from the original Breast Augmentation. The majority of women love their new breasts with no complications and often experience satisfaction for many years.
However, a Breast Revision surgery is a great option for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Address the natural effects of aging and gravity on the breasts. The breasts with the implant still will sag over time and so a Breast Lift could help restore perkiness and placement.
- Breasts change as a result of pregnancy, weight loss or gain. If the Breast Augmentation occurred before these events, a Revision can be intended to restore your breasts to their former stature.
- Change the implant size with a Breast Implant Exchange to go smaller or larger. Fortunately, the Breast Implant Exchange is less intense of a surgery than the original augmentation. The space or pocket for the implant has already been created so there’s not the stretching discomfort experienced during the initial surgery. Also, the recovery time is usually shorter.
- Repair breast implant malposition. The implant didn’t settle where it should be and has caused the breasts to look unnatural.
- Correct capsular contracture where the tissue surrounding the implant contracts and squeezes the implant into an awkward and uncomfortable position. In this case, the constricting tissue would be removed and the implant replaced.
- Change the implant type. Some women who got saline implants and experience rippling or wrinkling, prefer to exchange them for the consistency of a silicone gel. This is particularly common for women who got a Breast Augmentation when the silicone option was off the market from 1993 to 2006.
- Breast Implant Exchange for prevention or in the case of leakage. Implants do not have a lifetime guarantee to not leak. It is recommended to exchange for a new implant every 10 years. If a saline implant is leaking, it’s easy to detect because the breast will appear deflated. However, in most cases, a silicone implant leak would require an MRI to detect leakage, so regular checks are recommended.
- Breast cancer treatments may require the implant to be removed. This is a decision that should be made along with your medical support team.
In conjunction with considering the need for a Breast Revision surgery, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of choosing an experienced plastic surgeon to perform it. Maintaining aesthetics of the breasts while navigating prior surgery effects is an art that requires much technical skill and expertise. To discuss the possibility of putting yourself in the hands of a triple board certified surgeon, such as myself, you can schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.
Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
