What's involved with Breast Implant Revision Surgery?
Women who have previously had Breast Augmentation surgery and are currently unhappy with the appearance of their breasts often seek consultation to improve their symptoms and the look of their breasts
Implants, like any product, can wear out with time. Patients who had breast augmentation with saline implants may experience a rupture causing deflation of the implant. Those women who had an older generation of silicone gel-filled implants may experience implant rupture and gel leakage causing capsular contracture. This phenomenon of capsular contracture occurs when the normal scar tissue (capsule) that forms around a breast implant starts to squeeze and contract causing firmness, implant malposition with deformity, and/or pain. Problems with synmastia (where the breasts meet together in the midline) or breast asymmetry due to different breast volumes or positions can take a toll on your confidence and self-esteem. Other issues such as implant rippling, animation deformity, poor scarring, and ptosis (droopiness) can all affect the look of your breasts following implant surgery. Dr. Sharma will sit down with you to discuss your implant issues and examine your breasts before determining a safe treatment plan. He will then review with you the goals for the surgery in order to get you the look you are hoping to achieve. Dr. Sharma will also discuss the pros and cons of various treatment options including the risks and complications with you to determine what is best for your individual needs.
Implants, like any product, can wear out with time. Patients who had breast augmentation with saline implants may experience a rupture causing deflation of the implant. Those women who had an older generation of silicone gel-filled implants may experience implant rupture and gel leakage causing capsular contracture. This phenomenon of capsular contracture occurs when the normal scar tissue (capsule) that forms around a breast implant starts to squeeze and contract causing firmness, implant malposition with deformity, and/or pain. Problems with synmastia (where the breasts meet together in the midline) or breast asymmetry due to different breast volumes or positions can take a toll on your confidence and self-esteem. Other issues such as implant rippling, animation deformity, poor scarring, and ptosis (droopiness) can all affect the look of your breasts following implant surgery. Dr. Sharma will sit down with you to discuss your implant issues and examine your breasts before determining a safe treatment plan. He will then review with you the goals for the surgery in order to get you the look you are hoping to achieve. Dr. Sharma will also discuss the pros and cons of various treatment options including the risks and complications with you to determine what is best for your individual needs.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Patients seeking breast implant revision surgery may have issues with one or more of the following:
- self-conscious about the size, shape, asymmetry, or position of their breasts
- dissatisfaction with the implant size or shape chosen in the original surgery (too big, or too small)
- problems with capsular contracture (abnormal scarring around the implant) causing firmness, implant malposition/deformity, and/or pain
- development of synmastia - breasts are touching each other in the midline causing tenting of the skin and deformity
- rippling of the implants with visible wrinkles that are apparent through the skin
- changes to their breasts (pregnancy, weight loss, etc) that cause breast ptosis (droopiness) over the implants
- Animation deformity in which the implants move significantly when moving the arms and activating the pectoralis muscle
- implant rupture causing deflation or changes in the shape of the breast
What are some of the other important considerations?
There are a variety of factors that go into making decisions about implant revision surgery. Dr. Sharma will discuss all of your options with you. Some factors that play an important role include:
- how much time has elapsed from the original surgery - It is important to wait at least 6-12 months before attempting a revision procedure in order to let the implants settle and the final appearance take shape
- the thickness of your breast tissue and where the original implants have been placed (above or below the muscle)
- what size and shape implants were used in the original surgery
- the possible need for a mastopexy (breast lift) and/or newer generation implants
- your physical measurements including the base width of your breast footprint, height, weight, and body habitus
- personal preference for scar placement, desired appearance, volume, etc.
- breast implant warranty and costs for additional revision surgery