Breast Revision Surgery
What is Revision Breast Surgery?
While surgeons and patients alike all want excellent results from a single breast enhancement procedure, at times a second breast procedure is necessary to optimize or revise the appearance of the breasts. In our office we regularly see patients who have had breast surgery performed elsewhere and have results that are disappointing but that we feel can be significantly improved, and after a clear discussion and examination we put together a plan for procedures to help better achieve our patients’ goalsWhy do Most Patients Seek a Revision Procedure?
The most common reasons patients are interested in a revision procedure include implant malposition (the implant has moved out or down from where it was placed), capsular contracture (a hard scar has formed around the implant which can alter the shape or feel of the breast and may even hurt), asymmetry (the two breasts look very different from one another) or simply dissatisfaction with the implant size or feel. Our goal is listen carefully to your concerns and after a careful exam have a very open and honest discussion of options and realistic expectations for the results.
What Are My Options?
There are several options depending on the patient, their anatomy and their goals. Sometimes patients simply would like their implants exchanged for smaller or larger implants, or perhaps their saline implants removed and replaced with silicone implants to achieve a softer look and feel. Other times a more extensive procedure is involved (such as a breast lift or internal bra placement). There are several different types of silicone implants available today, including textured implants and anatomic implants (tear drop in shape). We also can utilize different materials to help internally reposition the implants or create an “internal bra”, including the product Seri, which is a dissolvable silk scaffold that recruits collagen for increased soft tissue strength and support (read more about Seri at seri.com). Working together we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach so that you can pick the procedure that is right for you.
How Long Should I Wait Before Pursuing a Revision Procedure?
In general we ask patients to at least wait a few months from their initial procedure before pursuing a revision. This allows for complete healing and for both of us to have a good sense of the final results. In addition, we encourage patients who had their initial surgery at another facility to contact their surgeon about their concerns if at all possible, as most surgeons really do want to know if their patients are unhappy and would love the opportunity to help them.
What is the Recovery Like?
The recovery varies depending on the patient– some patients report less discomfort compared to their original procedure, others more, and this also depends on the type of revision procedure that we would perform.
Am I a Good Candidate for Revision Breast Surgery?
It’s important that Breast Revision surgery patients:
- Maintain a stable weight
- Are generally healthy
- Do not smoke
- Discuss realistic goals with their plastic surgeon
- Have a normal mammogram or breast ultrasound if they are over 40 years of age
- obtain information about their previous surgeries, including operative reports, from their previous surgeon if at all possible
What are the Risks of the Procedure?
Possible complications of a breast lift include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Temporary or permanent numbness in the nipple or areola
- Uneven positioning or shape of breasts or nipples
- Widening of scars
- Poor incision healing
- Fluid buildup
- Breast hardening
- Damage or necrosis of breast tissues
- Need for further revision surgery
