Women who have undergone breast augmentation surgery with breast implants and are unhappy with their results may require revision surgery.
Some women may have chosen to undergo a breast augmentation in the past and would like their implants removed. Other women may need to replace or update their existing implants. All of these breast procedures fall into the category of breast revision surgery.
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sadeghi will talk with you about your original surgery and the results you are looking for in a breast revision. Then, he’ll recommend an approach to bring you as close as possible to your desired results.
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Reasons for Breast Revision Include:
- Breast asymmetry
- Unnatural-looking breasts
- Issues due to complications, such as:
- Capsular contracture
- Implant rupture
- Implant deflation
- Implant malposition
- Breast implant illness
- Issues due to bodily changes, such as:
- Pregnancy/childbirth
- Breastfeeding
- Weight gain/loss
- Desire to change implant type, size, or placement
The Breast Revision Procedure
After consulting with you to find out exactly what happened in your previous breast surgery and how you would like your final results to look, Dr. Sadeghi will approach your surgery in one of several ways.
Implant Removal
To remove breast implants, Dr. Sadeghi will make an incision either around the areola or underneath the breast. Any scar tissue that has developed around the implant will be removed along with it, and a drainage tube will be inserted to collect fluids.
After implant removal, the chest is tightly wrapped to encourage the breast pocket to heal.
En Bloc Capsulectomy
Some patients may need their implants and the capsule that has formed around the implants removed as one piece in what is known as an en bloc capsulectomy.
What Procedures Can Be Combined With Implant Removal?
Implant Replacement
Patients who want to change their implants to a different size, shape, material, or projection can have new implants placed. Patients who were happy with their initial breast augmentation results but experienced a complication may want the same implant type replaced.
Replacement implants can be inserted either during the implant removal procedure or at a later date.
Surgical Support Mesh
In some cases, Dr. Sadeghi may use an absorbable surgical mesh, such as GalaFLEX® Scaffold mesh or acellular dermal matrix (ADM), to support the breasts as they heal.
Breast Lift
Patients who have their implants removed without replacement may wish to combine breast lift surgery with their breast revision. This procedure elevates and reshapes the breast tissue to create firmer, perkier breasts.
Fat Grafting
Often, the best way to restore the natural appearance of the breasts is to combine fat grafting with implant removal. This procedure removes excess fat from other areas of the body and transfers it into the breasts to subtly enhance their shape and size.
Breast BodyTite®
Using radiofrequency aids in collagen synthesis to tighten the breast skin without any surgical incisions.
What Are
Along with general surgical risks, such as bleeding, infection, and scarring, women who undergo breast revision surgery may run the risk of breast complications. These may include blood accumulation, changes in breast sensation or nipple sensation, implant deflation, and capsular contracture.
Most patients who decide to undergo breast revision are very happy with their results. See our gallery of breast revision before and after photos and read our plastic surgery testimonials.
Recovering From Your Breast Revision
In general, recovering from breast revision surgery will take longer than the recovery from your original breast surgery. You should plan to be away from work for at least a week to 10 days and avoid physical activity during this time.
You’ll see Dr. Sadeghi for follow-up appointments to ensure that your healing is progressing as planned.