Breast Revision

WHEN YOU’RE NOT SATISFIED WITH YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION.

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in America, and in many cases produces terrific outcomes. However, sometimes a woman can be unhappy with the results of her breast augmentation procedure and at some point may want breast revision surgery. It is important to note that not all revision treatments are due to a practitioner error. While there are a few surgeries that do end with an unpleasing outcome, there are also women who wish to have a different size implant, while others may have a visible irregularity and would like to have the breast implant revised or taken out altogether. In addition, there are some women who must have revision surgery for a particular condition.

Whether it is scarring, drooping or sagging, rippling, or asymmetry, revision surgery can help correct the issue and result in a more normal and healthy outcome. This procedure can also help if you are wanting to change size, implant styles, or address any other aspect of your breasts.

COMMON REASONS FOR REVISION

Breast revision surgery either takes out an implant that no longer functions or is no longer wanted. Breast revision surgery may also be performed to switch implant size or go from an implant to a fat transfer (or vice versa). There are a few other common cases in which a revision procedure is desired or required:

Implant Rupture

Even though this is uncommon, implant rupture can possibly occur. If a saline implant ruptures, deflation will take place almost immediately. Therefore, a visible appearance will occur. On the other hand, if the implant is silicone-based and ruptures, it is only seen through an MRI. Whether silicone or saline, if a rupture happens, a corrective procedure will be required.

Capsular Contracture

This is the term used for scar tissue hardening, which occurs when the delicate tissue around the saline or silicone implant becomes hard and thickens. Although many implant surgeries do result in some internal scar tissue, most women will never see or feel it. In some instances, the scarring could interfere with implant placement, which can change the breast shape and implant functionality, delivering an undesirable outcome. Capsular contracture surgery to reduce scarring would be recommended.

Asymmetry

Asymmetry occurs when the implant sizes look disproportionate. This is because of a wrong size implant placement, drooping on one side, or another condition that may cause asymmetry. A thorough assessment would need to be performed to determine what is leading to the asymmetry, then surgery would be needed to correct the problem, and finally, new implants would be positioned to create a symmetrical result.

Bottoming Out

Bottoming out is a condition that happens when one or both breasts drop too low or “bottom out.” In many cases, this is a case of a positioning error that occurred in the first operation. To modify this issue, a new placement strategy may be needed. In some cases, tissue grafting most likely will be needed, as well as a surgically formed pocket to securely fit the new implant. For most women, switching to a silicone implant usually will solve this problem.

Symmastia

Symmastia is a condition that takes place when implants are inserted and placed too close together. In most cases, this is because the implant used was the wrong shape and width. A revision treatment will correct this problem by choosing an implant that fits your body type and looks pleasing to the eye.

Implant Rippling

This condition occurs when there are obvious rippling and wrinkles beneath the skin. Generally, this irregularity forms just along the edging of the implant. Rippling is more common in patients who are of low body weight. Often, this condition can be fixed by simply changing to a silicone implant.

Breast Size

There are times a secondary breast surgery is as simple as receiving a smaller or larger sized implant. With the original surgery, you may have opted to go too conservative or gone a bit too large. A new breast implant size can be inserted to reach the desired look.