What is Breast Revision?
Are you unhappy with previous breast implant results or are experiencing discomfort due to your implants? Or perhaps you have a desire to change the size or shape of your breasts or want to change the style of your breast implants. If so, you may be able to benefit from a breast implant revision. The main goal of this procedure is to replace old breast implants with new ones while ensuring that your breasts look natural and youthful.
The most common causes for breast revision surgery include:
Bottoming Out:
This is a condition in which the breast implants have dropped noticeably on the chest. This can make the implants appear too low and the nipples too high.
Capsular Contracture:
Occurs when the body forms a scar tissue capsule around the breast implant. Over the years, this capsule can grow thicker, harder, and tighter, leading to discomfort.
Implant Downsizing:
Sometimes, patients decide that they wish to have smaller breast implants for a more natural look.
Implant Rupture:
Breast implants are not lifelong devices and can eventually leak or rupture. IF this occurs, they can be removed and replaced with new implants.
Implant Rippling:
In some patients, ripples from their breast implant can be visible on the surface of the skin.
Symmastia:
This occurs when breast implant pockets merge together across the mid-chest, creating a tube-like appearance.
Candidates for Breast Revision
You may be a good candidate for breast revision if you are unsatisfied with the shape, size, or appearance of your breast implants, are physically healthy and at a stable weight, are a nonsmoker, and have realistic expectations for the outcome of your procedure. To learn more about this procedure and if you are a good candidate, contact our office today to schedule a consultation an appointment.
The Procedure
The exact steps and incision pattern that is used for your breast implant revision will depend upon the changes desired. However, they may include:
Inframammary Incision:
Created in the crease under the breast.
Anchor Incision:
An incision is created around the areola, vertically down to the inframammary fold, and then horizontally along the breast crease.
Periareolar Incision:
Created around half of the areola.
Any incisions will be closed using sutures and/or skin adhesives.
Recovery
Following breast revision, you may need to wear a support bra to help reduce swelling and support your breasts. In some cases, a thin tube may be placed under the skin to collect any excess fluid or blood. Our team will provide you with specific aftercare instructions regarding how to care for your surgical sites for the best results. Please do not hesitate to contact our office regarding any questions or concerns.
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Schedule Your Consultation
For more information regarding breast implant revision at North Valley Cosmetic Surgery, contact our office today! We are conveniently located in Scottsdale, AZ, and are dedicated to providing natural, beautiful results to each of our patients.
Breast Revision FAQs
Can breast implants be reduced in size?
Can you downsize breast implants? Absolutely—and an experienced plastic surgeon can help you do so without sacrificing the improved shape your implants have provided. However, breast implant replacement isnt always as simple as swapping out for a smaller size.
Can breast implants be removed and not replaced?
If implants are removed without replacement, there is often a breast volume and skin mismatch causing breast droopiness or “ptosis.” Due to this fact, for those interested in breast implant removal without replacement, their breasts may not look the same as they did before undergoing breast augmentation.
Can breast implants change shape over time?
Over time, breast implants can change shape or size, and the overlying breast tissue can also change, creating an appearance or feel to the breast that is less desirable than the original result.
Can breast implants last 30 years?
On average, todays implants are designed to last more than a decade, with the chance of rupture increasing by one percent each year. So, the older your implants are, the greater your risk of rupture or other complications. In many cases, breast implants can remain in good shape for 20 years or more.
Can you feel a ruptured breast implant?
Most women do not experience pain with a rupture. At most, they might say they have a slight discomfort in that breast, especially when the implant is moved. This may be due to the implant having collapsed and you might be feeling an “edge” of the implant when it is moved.
Does insurance cover breast revision?
Health insurance companies will often cover breast revision surgery, particularly if it is associated with: Firm breast implants or capsular contracture. Uneven breasts. Ruptured breast implants.
Does insurance pay for breast implant revision?
Health insurance companies will often cover breast revision surgery, particularly if it is associated with: Firm breast implants or capsular contracture, uneven breasts, and ruptured breast implants.
How do you fix capsular contracture?
The only effective treatment for capsular contracture is currently capsulotomy or capsulectomy with implant removal or a change in the plane of insertion.
How soon after breast augmentation can I get a revision?
The absolute soonest you can have a revision surgery is 6 months after your original breast augmentation. Waiting 6 months ensures that you have fully recovered from the initial surgery and gives the problem you identified time to resolve itself, if possible.
Is it dangerous to have breast implants removed?
Removing breast implants is a very safe procedure with minimal risk of complications. The most common complications include infection, pain, hematoma, and unsightly scars.
Is there an alternative to breast implants?
Both natural breast augmentation and breast lift surgery are popular breast implant alternatives. They can adjust and lift the shape of your breasts without the need for more permanent objects.
What are the early signs of capsular contracture?
As the condition worsens, you may notice more obvious symptoms, including Breast pain, Asymmetry, Firmness, Tightness, Round or ball-shaped breast, High-riding breast, or Misshapen breast.
Can breast implants last a lifetime?
Breast implants do not last forever, and there are many reasons why women will choose to have their implants removed, usually anywhere from 10 to 20 years after their initial surgery.
Can capsular contracture get worse?
If you suspect you may have a case of capsular contracture, talk to your plastic surgeon. Capsular contracture doesnt get better over time – it can get worse.
Can capsular contracture go away by itself?
Capsular contracture does not settle on its own. The only known way to resolve the problem is to excise the capsule and replace the implant with a clean implant that has no low-grade infection attached to it.
Can I have my breast implants removed?
Some people have implant removal surgery because of tissue hardening around the implant or other complications. Others may have surgery to replace old implants with new ones. Or you may no longer want implants. Surgery to remove breast implants is typically an outpatient procedure.
How long do breast lifts last?
Some patients find that their breast lift results last for well over 15 years while others may seek minor cosmetic alterations sooner. On average, breast lift results last for 10 to 15 years.
How long does it take to recover from breast revision surgery?
Estimated recovery time: Patients can usually expect to return to work after 1 to 2 weeks, and they should avoid vigorous activities for 3 weeks. Visible bruising should subside within 2 weeks, and swelling should begin to resolve within 3 weeks.
How much is a breast implant revision?
The choice of new implants, if an implant replacement is needed, will make a significant difference to the overall costs of the procedure. The cost of breast revision plastic surgery, on average, may fall anywhere between $7,000 and $15,000, depending on several factors.
How often should breast implants be replaced?
Most silicone and saline implants are FDA approved for 10-20 years, but this does not mean that you have to get them replaced every 10-20 years. You can safely go beyond these time frames, and most patients only have to have 1-2 replacements in their lifetime.
What is breast revision surgery?
The goal of breast implant revision surgery is to replace old breast implants with new implants.
What is the most common breast implant size?
Popular implant size – The most popular size for breast implants is between 350 to 400 cc. For most patients, this would look like a small to a large C cup. In fact, all of the top 5 most popular sizes are between 350 to 500 cc.
Will NHS remove my breast implants?
If you had PIP breast implants originally fitted on the NHS, you may be able to have them removed and replaced by the NHS at no cost. The operation to remove and replace PIP implants is done wherever possible through the original surgical cuts.
