Breast Revision

About Breast Revision Surgery

Many women are tremendously pleased by the results of their breast augmentation surgery, but sometimes breast implant revision surgery is needed or wanted. Breast revision implant surgery may be performed to correct problems with the implant, like capsular contracture, rippling, or implant rupture. Breast revision surgery is also performed if a patient is not happy with the appearance of their implants immediately after their surgery or if they want changes later on down the road. While breast revision surgery can be complicated, Atlanta based board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Aisha Baron, specializes in helping patients get beautiful, satisfying results.

Best Candidates

Usually, a breast revision surgery is performed for:

• Capsular Contracture
• Asymmetry
• Implant Rupture
• Implant Exchange
• Cosmetic Reasons

What To Expect

During your consultation, Dr. Baron will listen to your concerns and cosmetic goals before making recommendations for a specific treatment plan. Since each implant revision surgery is unique to the patient's situation, the surgical technique and length of surgery and recovery will vary. You should expect a longer recovery time for multiple or extensive revision surgeries that involve removing scar tissue or removing loose skin. A revision that replaces a breast implant usually allows for the shortest recovery period. If you suspect your breast implant has ruptured, please seek medical attention immediately.

Other Considerations

• Implant ruptures are rare, but they do require revision surgery. A ruptured saline implant may appear to be deflated and flattened, but the saline is safely absorbed by the body. When a silicone implant ruptures, the gel doesn't move, but there is an obvious difference in firmness and the shape of the breast. In most cases, the silicone is still contained within the implant capsule and does not harm the body.
• Double bubble deformity creates an unnatural indentation in the breast and looks like the implant has fallen out of position. Visually, the breasts will appear unattractively doubled underneath the crease. This usually occurs if the implants were not properly positioned during the augmentation surgery. It can also happen if there is too much scar tissue around the implant itself. Breast revision surgery is the only way to amend this situation as the situation will not correct itself. The surgeon may also use a surgical mesh to reinforce the implant and keep it from moving.
• Scarring (capsular contracture) can cause a hardening of the breast, which occurs more often in saline implants. There is always a risk of scar tissue forming around the breast implant once it has settled into the chest, which shifts the implant out of place and hardens the breast. In this case, a surgeon would have to remove the scar tissue with a procedure called a capsulectomy.
• Breast rippling is a visible wrinkling on the breast. Rippling can happen with any augmentation patient, but it is most common with women who are thin and have very little native breast tissue or muscle mass. Rippling is slightly more common with saline implants than silicone, but can also be dependent on the implant size chosen. This complication is not a health risk, but it does lead to less attractive breasts.

New and Improved Implants