December 14, 2023

Common Questions About Breast Revision Surgery

Written by Dr. Smita Ramanadham. Posted in Blog.

Breast revision surgery, which often involves removing or replacing silicone or saline breast implants, is done to change the type or size of your implants. Your surgeon also may perform this procedure to correct problems from a previous breast augmentation or breast lift.

If you think you need New Jersey breast revision surgery, below is more information.

Why Have Breast Revision Surgery?

Some common reasons women want breast implant revision surgery are:

A saline breast implant from a breast augmentation has deflated, or an imaging test shows a silicone implant is leaking
You want to change to another type or size of breast implant
You are experiencing scar tissue tightening around the breast implant – capsular contracture – or the implant’s position shifted
Breast tissue has changed because of weight gain, weight loss or skin stretching

Breast Implant Revision Surgery Details

The procedure your surgeon uses to remove or replace your implant depends on why you need the revision:

Breast Size Change

If you want to change the size of your breast implants from a breast augmentation, your surgeon will likely use the original incision from your breast augmentation to remove and replace the implant.

For women who want a bigger implant and a breast augmentation, the surgeon will enlarge the implant pocket. If you want a smaller implant, the surgeon can reduce the pocket size with sutures to fit a smaller one.

Your surgeon may also do a breast lift to give your breasts a younger and perkier appearance.

Capsular Contracture

When a breast implant is in the body, a scar tissue capsule forms around it; this is normal. However, this scar tissue may tighten around the implant and lead to a deformed appearance.

Your surgeon will probably use the original incision to remove the defective implant and insert a new one.

Breast Implant Rippling

The edges of a saline breast implant can become palpable and visible, especially in women with a small amount of breast tissue. If this happens, the surgeon can remove the implant.

Options include using another implant type or putting another implant in a new breast pocket with more muscle coverage.

Breast Implant Position Change

It’s possible for a breast implant pocket to be created too close or too far apart, which can leave the breasts in an unnatural-looking position.

This can be corrected by the surgeon manipulating your scar tissue from the capsule around the implant and rebuilding the breast pocket in a better position.

The surgeon may also need to use breast, fat, and muscle tissue to reinforce the position of the new implant. They also can use an Acellular Dermal Matrix product that is slowly replaced by your natural collagen.

This can result in a more robust and thicker tissue layer that may hold the implant in a better position.

Breast Implant Removal

If you have large breast implants and your skin stretched, the plastic surgeon may also advise a breast lift. But removing the implant alone may also do the trick.

The original incision is usually used to remove the implant, and the capsule around it will usually be taken out to encourage healing.

Breast Implant Rupture

One of the most common reasons women have a breast implant revision surgery is implant rupture. Unfortunately, all types of implants have a limited life, and this applies to breast implants.

Today’s implants are safe and last for years, but after 10 or 20 years, it’s more likely you’ll experience a rupture. If a saline implant has a rupture, it will deflate and soon look smaller than the other.

It’s estimated that about 2% of saline implants rupture every year. Newer silicone implants rupture at a 1% rate over six years.

If a ‘gummy bear’ silicone implant ruptures, it won’t leave the implant shell, but it should be replaced. However, you probably won’t even know about the problem, and that’s why the FDA recommends an MRI every two or three years.

Older silicone breast implants have a higher failure rate and often rupture if the patient is having breast surgery for another reason.

Breast Implant Removal

Another common reason for breast implant revision surgery is patients may want to remove them for various reasons.

First, women who had large breast implants when they were younger may change their minds as the years pass. Perhaps they don’t want to attract as much attention as they age. Or maybe the implants interfere with exercise.

Some women may decide to go with smaller breast implants as the years pass. They also may choose to have a fat transfer with liposuction to provide a minor tweak in their breast size that’s more subtle than implants.

Other women may want to change their breasts with implant removal because of weight changes, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

Breast Revision Surgery Risks

Breast augmentation and breast lift surgery have risks, and so does breast revision. The decision to have this plastic surgery procedure is a personal one, and you will need to consider the risks and benefits before having the procedure.

Your surgeon will explain the most significant risks of the plastic surgery procedure. Some of the most common risks are:

General and IV anesthesia risks
Breast asymmetry
Bleeding
Fat necrosis
Infection
Chronic breast pain
Skin loss
Excessive scarring
Hematoma
Skin numbness
Poor incision healing
Deep vein thrombosis

Most women are happy with their breast implants, but problems happen, and sometimes, patients simply want to make a change. Breast revision surgery is safe and effective and can be the perfect choice to improve your appearance and self-confidence.

Questions and Answers

Is a breast revision surgery more painful?

The recuperation period following your breast revision surgery might be briefer and less uncomfortable compared to your initial surgery, contingent upon the details of the procedure. Initial sensations may include swelling and soreness. Your incisions will be properly dressed, and you might be instructed to wear a supportive garment.

Is a breast revisions surgery more expensive

Opting for higher-quality replacement implants may result in an increased cost for the patient. However, if the expense of the implants is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, the overall cost of the revision procedure may be reduced.

Will insurance cover breast implant revision?

Health insurance plans may cover the costs associated with capsulectomy, involving the removal of tight scar tissue around the implant and the removal of the implant itself. However, insurance typically does not cover the replacement of the breast implant. The replacement of implants in cases of capsular contracture is generally regarded as an elective procedure.

Request A Breast Revision Surgery Consultation

Considering breast revision surgery in New Jersey? Dr. Smita. R. Ramanadham of SR Plastic Surgery New Jersey can help you obtain the results you want. Dr. Ramanadham will go over your options, goals, and more to determine if you’re a good candidate for breast revision surgery.