Breast-Implant Revision Surgery

There are many reasons women are interested in breast implant revision: some want to replace their implants for a larger size or achieve a different look, while in other cases, the replacement is to correct a specific problem such as breast asymmetry or capsular contracture (scarring around the breast implant).

After receiving a breast augmentation with implants, women may at times need a revision surgery. Reasons for revisions may include:

  • Post-pregnancy
  • Losing significant weight
  • Unhappy decisions with implants selected
  • Natural effects from time

Unhappiness With Size Of Implants Chosen

One of the most common reason for a revision surgery is to correct a decision on the size of an implant. Typically, a patient is recommended to wait up to one year before correcting an augmentation procedure. A correction too soon after the procedure does not allow for proper healing time including allowing swelling to decrease. Occasional exceptions can be made in cirucmstances including implants that have leaked or ruptured.

During revision surgery, the incisions made during the initial surgery are often used to remove the implants and replace them with either larger or smaller ones. If larger implants are wanted, the pockets in the breasts that hold the implants are made larger. If smaller implants are wanted, the pockets are made smaller using sutures; a mastopexy (breast lift) may also be performed.

Implants Are Leaking

Implants can leak because of age or defect, injury to the breast, or overfilling. Whatever the reason, a leaking implant should be replaced as soon as possible. The incisions made during the initial surgery are often used when replacing the implant.

A leak to a saline implant is immediately noticeable; the implant deflates and the saline is absorbed by the body. When there is a leak in the types of silicone implants used today, because the silicone is designed to hold its shape, leaks are often only discovered during routine mammograms.

Implants Are Causing Complications

There is always a risk complications from a breast-implant procedure. They include wrinkling and rippling of the implant (usually a saline implant); capsular contracture, in which scar tissue forms around the implant, hardening the breast and changing its look and feel; and symmastia, in which the implants drift together and meet in the middle of the chest.

Even when breast-implant revision surgeries are successful, new implants are still subject to the same problems as the original implants.

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Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Have questions? Call us to schedule an appointment. We’d love to answer your questions and talk about developing an individualized treatment plan to help you look and feel the way you’ve always wanted to. Now offering in-person and video telehealth consultation for select procedures.