Am I a Candidate for Breast Implant Revision?
Most breast augmentation patients are happy with their initial results after surgery. However, sometimes — for medical or cosmetic reasons — patients may decide to have the size, shape, or placement of their implants revised. This is called breast implant revision surgery.
For a useful overview of this surgery, go here.
In the following article, we will be discussing who is a good candidate for breast implant revision surgery and other basic topics related to the procedure. First, let's briefly define what a breast implant revision is.
What Is Breast Implant Revision?
Breast implant revision, also known as breast implant replacement, is a surgery that removes, replaces, or adjusts breast implants. Naturally, the surgery is performed after one (or more) breast augmentation surgeries. Patients must heal completely before considering a revision.
Most patients who need to change their implants will only need one revision surgery, but it's not unheard of for patients to undergo multiple revision surgeries depending on the issues or changes they are facing.
Why Undergo Breast Implants Revision Surgery?
Patients may undergo breast implants revision surgery for any number of reasons. For example, you may be interested in this procedure if:
- You're experiencing symptoms of an implant leak or a recent MRI or X-ray has suggested one.
- You've experienced a recent weight fluctuation (weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy, etc.), and the overall look of your breasts has changed, so you want to revise them.
- You were never happy with your breast implants and have wanted to revise their size, shape, or placement from the start.
- You are experiencing capsular contracture (scar tissue that forms near your implants and causes tightness, discomfort, and cosmetic issues).
- As time has gone on, you've decided you prefer a more modest breast implant size.
- You'd like to have larger breasts and want to go up a size or two.
- You want to have your breast implants removed entirely.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Implant Revision?
The ideal candidate for breast implant revision surgery is someone who has one or more of the issues listed above and would like to revise or remove their implants as a result.
In addition, the ideal breast implant revision candidate needs to be in good health with no major medical issues that might put them at risk during or after surgery. Likewise, patients should not be smokers. Smoking can cause surgical complications. Scheduling a consultation appointment with Dr. Aghayan will give you the best idea of your candidacy for this procedure.
What to Expect During the Procedure
The breast implant revision procedure may vary widely depending on why you are getting surgery in the first place and what you aim to have done. Still, we can outline the procedure experience with a basic list of steps:
- Anesthesia is administered. You will have discussed what type of anesthesia will be best for your surgery beforehand with your surgeon.
- The necessary incisions are made on and around the breast. Patients usually have either peri-areolar incisions, inframammary incisions, vertical breast lift incisions, or a combination of these.
- The necessary adjustments or implant replacements are made.
- The incisions are carefully closed. Your surgeon may use tapes, sutures, clips, or skin adhesives to do this.
How Much Does Breast Revision Surgery Cost?
This depends on multiple factors. It is difficult to estimate the overall cost of breast implant revision surgery, in particular, because it is, by nature, dependent upon the unique situation presented by each patient. In other words, most patients seeking breast implant revision are looking to fix a very particular issue that may occur relatively infrequently. As a result, your surgeon will need to charge accordingly, and this may mean a more expensive surgery or less expensive surgery depending on the circumstances.
Overall, breast implant revision surgery will include the following costs:
- Surgeon's fee
- Surgical facility fee
- Anesthesia-related fees
- Implant and equipment costs
- Hospital/surgical facility stay costs (not always applicable)
- Fees for tests and labs performed before your surgery
- Garment costs
- Prescription costs
- Wound care supply costs
One thing to remember concerning the cost of your procedure is that cheaper is not always better. You should never go with a surgeon who is not board-certified. You may find a “breast implant revision specialist” who says they are an expert, but even if they are a legitimate doctor, if they are not a board-certified plastic surgeon, it's best to look elsewhere. Only board-certified plastic surgeons can ensure that your revision is safe and performed well.
Potential Risks and Complications
Few risks and complications exist with breast implant revision surgery. In fact, this surgery is often performed in order to avoid a more serious medical issue — for example, if a leak has been detected in an MRI or X-ray.
Still, any invasive surgery comes with potential complications and risks. Dr. Aghayan will discuss these risks with you at your consultation appointment, and you should feel free to ask related questions. The most severe potential complications associated with surgery include:
- Infection
- Pain that persists
- Hematomas
- Bleeding
- Anesthesia-related risks
- Skin discoloration, swelling, or looseness
- Poor wound healing
- DVT (deep vein thrombosis)
- Fat necrosis
- Unfavorable outcomes, including asymmetry, noticeable scarring, etc.
Should I Worry About Capsular Contracture Recurring After Breast Implant Revision Surgery?
Capsular contracture is the occurrence of a scar tissue “capsule” around one or both of your implants. The formation of this scar tissue is actually normal. It is your body's reaction to what it believes to be an invasive foreign object. The “object” (implant) is isolated by a scar tissue barrier. In many cases, this can be a good thing because it keeps your implants from shifting. However, problems can occur when the scar tissue becomes tight and painful.
Some cases of capsular contracture may also change the aesthetic appearance of your implants — making them feel firm and look unnaturally round. The nipples may also change shape. When these more severe symptoms occur, many patients will turn to breast revision surgery.
But should you worry about capsular contracture reoccurring if you had it once and then have breast revision surgery to correct it?
Yes, in short, this is a concern. If you've experienced capsular contracture before, the surgeon performing your revision surgery must take steps to avoid it reoccurring. Changing the style and texture of your implants may be one way of doing this. Other techniques include changing the placement of the implants (for example, moving the implants from a subglandular placement to a submuscular placement). Additional techniques exist as well.
Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Aghayan
Dr. Aric Aghayan is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgery and nonsurgical aesthetic treatments in the Portland area. He can tell you if you are a good candidate for breast implant revision and perform this surgery to help you achieve your desired appearance and correct any medical issues.
Don't let breast implants you are unhappy with cause you stress and anxiety. Contact Après Plastic Surgery today to speak with Dr. Aghayan about breast implant revision.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-implant-revision
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-breast-augmentation-revision
