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Breast Revision
Breast revision surgery is performed to correct a complication or dissatisfaction resulting from a previous breast surgery. Even at the hands of the most skilled and qualified breast augmentation surgeon, the need for breast revision surgery may arise. Depending on the circumstances, breast revision surgery may involve breast implant removal and/or replacement. During your consultation for breast revision surgery, your surgeon will assess your concerns and determine the best technique to meet your needs.
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Am I a Candidate for Breast Revision Surgery?
Breast revision is a secondary breast surgery performed once a woman has healed from her initial surgery. Women often consider breast revision surgery for corrective needs or if they are displeased with the aesthetic results of their breast augmentation. Candidates for the procedure should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations for their results.
What Are Common Reasons for Breast Revision Surgery?
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Bottoming Out
Bottoming out occurs when the breast implant descends below the breast crease after surgery, causing the breast to lose volume in the upper portion. This complication can also cause the nipple to appear too high on the breast. Your surgeon may perform a capsulorrhaphy, which involves sutures in the lower portion of the breast that will elevate the breast implant to the correct position.
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Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture is one of the most common breast augmentation complications. This complication occurs when the scar tissue surrounding the implant hardens excessively, squeezing the implant and producing discomfort and/or an unnatural breast appearance. This complication usually requires the removal of the scar tissue. The implants themselves are not usually removed or replaced unless they are defective.
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Double Bubble Deformity
Double bubble deformity can occur when the breast implant slides below the breast crease and creates a second area of fullness, or “bubble,” on the bottom of the breast. To correct this complication, your surgeon may need to perform a breast lift as well as a secondary augmentation.
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Malposition of Anatomical Implants
Anatomical implants, commonly called “teardrop-shaped” implants, are often desired because they have a very natural shape that creates more fullness in the lower portion of the breasts and taper upward. Although rare, these implants can cause the breasts to appear oblong or misshapen if they are placed incorrectly or rotate within the breast pocket. During breast revision surgery, the malposed implants may be replaced with round implants or placed back into their correct position.
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Positioning Issues
When breast implants are placed too close together, too far apart, or when they do not “settle” into the correct position once the final breast augmentation results develop, the solution may be to completely remove the implants and replace them if the patient desires. Another option is to manipulate the tissues that support the implants to move them into the correct position.
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Ruptured Implant
The rate of implant rupture has decreased significantly over the last few years. Rupture can occur with either silicone or saline implants. Rupture of a saline implant will result in an obvious deflation of the breast, whereas silicone implant rupture generally requires an MRI screening to detect. During breast revision surgery for a ruptured implant, your surgeon will remove the affected implant, irrigate the breast pocket, and replace the implant.
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Size Change
The desire to change implant size is the most common reason for breast revision surgery. Usually, the patient desires to have larger breasts than her primary augmentation achieved. Your surgeon will assess your chest width during your breast revision consultation to determine if larger implants will safely and effectively achieve the look you desire.
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Symmastia
Symmastia occurs when one or both breast implants are positioned too close to the midline of the chest, and the two breasts become connected at the cleavage. This complication is characterized by the skin over the sternum tenting from one breast to the other or the two breast implants touching in the middle. The nipples may also point outward. During breast revision surgery for symmastia, the breast pocket is manipulated in order to correctly position the implants. The connection at the midline is also corrected, resulting in a more natural breast.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Revision
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How is breast revision performed?
The techniques used during your breast revision will depend on the cause for your revision. If you are experiencing a complication with your implant, either the implant will be removed and replaced, the scar tissue will be removed, or the implant will be repositioned in the breast pocket—usually with additional sutures made in the natural breast tissue. If you are looking to change the size of your implant, it will need to be removed before the new one can be implanted.
Breast revision is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. In most cases, your initial breast augmentation incision will be used for your breast revision, although the incision may need to be lengthened. If reusing this incision is not possible, Dr. Ghere will explain your options. This may include an incision along the breast crease.
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What if I want to remove my breast implants entirely?
While most women who undergo breast revision are looking to correct their breast implants or increase their implants’ size, others decide to remove them altogether. Perhaps their implants didn’t fit with their lifestyle and aesthetic desires, or, maybe, they are choosing to remove them for health concerns.
Breast implants can be removed at any time; however, depending on the size and age of the implants, a breast lift may be needed to correct post-implant sagging.
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Why should I combine my breast revision with a breast lift?
The breasts sag naturally with age and weight. This sagging (ptosis) may be more noticeable if long-standing or heavy implants are removed permanently. Breast lift surgery can be combined with breast revision to elevate the breasts to a youthful position. This is achieved by tightening and repositioning the glandular tissue and trimming excess skin. The nipples-areola complex may be repositioned at this time, if necessary.
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How long is the recovery after a breast revision?
The length of your breast revision recovery will depend on the techniques used during the surgery. Some women experience a longer recovery than their initial augmentation; however, discomfort is usually minimal. Women can often return to work and their non-strenuous activities within one week.
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Will breast revision leave additional scars?
Dr. Ghere tries to use your initial augmentation incision for your revision to minimize scarring. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. A longer or additional incision may be necessary that would result in more scarring. All scars fade with time and will be placed in easy-to-conceal locations.
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When will I see my breast revision results?
You will start to see the results of your breast revision immediately following the surgery. These will continue to improve over the following weeks as the swelling subsides and the implants settle. Your final results will be visible after a couple of months.
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How much does breast revision surgery cost in Baton Rouge, LA?
Breast revision surgery is highly customizable, and this personalization is reflected in the total cost of breast revision. You will be given an accurate cost estimate during your consultation, once Dr. Ghere has established a surgical plan. This fee will be highly dependent on whether a new implant is necessary.
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Can I remove my implants now and replace them later?
If you are unsure of your implants and choose to remove them, you always have the opportunity to undergo breast augmentation again in the future. As there will be additional scar tissue (from your initial augmentation and revision), there may be a higher risk of complication; however, this process is still very safe.
Request a ConsultationGet in touch with Ghere Plastic Surgery for your breast enhancement.