Breast Implant Revision

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Breast Implants Revision Image - DeLuca Plastic Surgery

DeLuca Plastic Surgery’s Expertise in Breast Implant Revision Surgery

Breast augmentation is a procedure that is often assumed to be simple in nature and execution but is actually quite complex. Proper surgical technique and attention to detail are essential to good results, and too often these are overlooked – leading to so many patients who are dissatisfied with their augmentation or have developed one or more complications.

Breast implant revision surgery is the general way to describe surgery to improve and/or correct complications related to a previous breast operation. Patients may be in need of revision surgery if they are experiencing any of the following conditions or complications:

  • A desire to increase or decrease their existing implant size
  • Complications or problems with the results of the first surgical procedure
  • Problems with the implants themselves, resulting in a deformed look

There is no such thing as a simple breast augmentation revision, and an attitude of “seen one, seen them all,” simply will not suffice when dealing with the subtle complexities and intricacies of breast augmentation revision surgery.

Although revision surgery is a common choice, some patients are ready to be done with implants all together. For those patients we offer Breast Implant Removal Surgery.

Common Problems & Complications Corrected by Breast Revision Surgery

Bottoming Out

Bottoming out describes breasts with implants that have either stretched out the skin below the nipple-areola or migrated below the inframammary fold. In both cases, the distance between the nipple areolar and inframammary fold is greater than it should be, implants. It can also occur when the pocket surrounding the implant has enlarged or stretched.

To correct the “bottoming out” of implants due to an enlarged pocket, Dr. Tauber and Dr. Yan use sutures to tighten up the breast pocket (aka capsulorrhaphy) that will support the implants in their new and proper position. In addition, a mesh internal surgical scaffold by Galaflex can be sutured into the pocket to reinforce the patient’s natural tissue envelope.

Breast Asymmetry

Implant Asymmetry results when one implant is placed higher or lower when compared to the other implant. Breast Asymmetry Correction is performed through implant exchange and repositioning the implants.

Breast Implants Asymmetry Image - DeLuca Plastic Surgery

Implant Malposition

Revision surgery can correct a number of abnormalities that result from a previous augmentation surgery, including:

  • Implants may remain too high and never drop into the correct position.
  • Implants may remain too far apart as a result of placement.

Symmastia

Symmastia is commonly known as “uni-boob.” It is when one or both implants are positioned too close to the mid-line over the breastbone or sternum. Symmastia Repair may require surgical correction of the pockets as needed and a reduction of scar tissue.

Other problems are often caused by the implants used in an augmentation rupturing or changing over time.

Breast Implant Replacement (of deflated and/or ruptured silicone or saline implants)

A surgically implanted saline prosthesis that has lost its size and volume rather noticeably over the course of one or two days has likely ruptured or deflated. An implant exchange should be performed within a few weeks to keep the pocket from shrinking. Sometimes, the deflation of an implant is less noticeable – in these cases, either ultrasound or MRI testing will determine whether or not any leakage has occurred.

Double Bubble Deformity

There are two types of “double bubble” deformity, which can occur immediately following implant surgery, or over time due to weight loss, pregnancy, or natural gravity. The double bubble look occurs when there is a groove along with the breast below the nipple giving the impression that the breast is sitting on top of the implant.

Before And After Photo Of Albany, NY Woman's Breast Implants - DeLuca Plastic Surgery

The double bubble deformity can usually be corrected with a breast lift (mastopexy) or pocket correction. There are 4 indicators of the double bubble deformity:

  • The breast implants were placed sub-muscularly and the natural breast tissue has sagged downward off the breast implant
  • The natural breast has sagged or drooped downward while the breast implants are submammary
  • The breast tissue or breast pocket is not sutured
  • There is capsular contracture which is distorting the breast shape

Implant Rippling

Rippling occurs when there are irregularities of the implant surface that can be felt or seen through the skin. This could be a result of skin tissue covering the implants thinning, a saline implant leaking, the placement of the implant above the muscle, or a combination of any of these. To correct rippling, a possible solution is a Pocket Correction revision using a silicone implant, which is less palpable than saline. Removal of the breast implant from the pocket above the muscle to the pocket below the muscle could decrease the rippling effect.

Capsular Contracture

Capsular Contracture occurs when tightly woven collagen fibers form around the implant, thus the body forms a thick scar. This condition tightens or squeezes the breast implant, causing pain and discomfort. There are four grades of capsular contracture based on the baker scale:

  • Grade I – The breast appears natural in size and shape and is normally soft
  • Grade II – The breast looks normal but is a little firm
  • Grade III – The breast appears abnormal and is firm
  • Grade IV – The breast appears abnormal, is hard and painful to the touch
Breast Implants Capsulotomy Before And After Photo - DeLuca Plastic Surgery

Depending on the severity, solutions for correcting Capsular Contracture include Capsulectomy and Capsulotomy revisions. A Capsulectomy involves the reduction of the capsule (scar tissue) that is surrounding the implant. Lower-grade Capsular Contracture can be corrected with Capsulotomy when the scar tissue or capsule is adjusted or partially reduced through incisions in the breast.

These procedures are just some of the options Dr. Tauber and Dr. Yan offer for breast revision. These different solutions can be combined to help work toward your desired breast look. During your consultation, Dr. DeLuca will address your specific aesthetic needs and recommend a surgical plan that is tailored to your goals.

Why Experience Counts

Visually, the difference between a good and great breast implant revision can often be dramatic. And yet, big visual differences often boil down to a series of very minor decisions and actions made by a surgeon both before, during and after the procedure. Becoming a master at all the little things that collectively add up to produce a great breast revision result takes years of constant practice and a commitment to learning something new from each and every case. DeLuca Plastic Surgey has done precisely this for over 30+ years – becoming the go-to destination for patients looking to fix or improve the results of surgeries done elsewhere in the Capital Region, Upstate NY, and NYC.

Why Women Chose DeLuca Plastic Surgery

  • 30+ years of breast surgery experience.
  • Performed over 1,500 cosmetic breast procedures.
  • A complication/revision rate below 2% on primary breast augmentations.

Breast Implant Revision Cost and Recovery Time

DeLuca Plastic Surgery are experts in breast implant revision surgery. Our surgeons sit down with each patient to develop a customized plan that meets their individual needs. A specific revision surgery plan’s cost will vary based on the severity of each individual case. The cost of combining related surgeries into one procedure significantly reduces the cost of anesthesia and operating room time.

Typically patients return to normal activities within one to two weeks following their breast revision surgery. Exercise begins at 6 weeks and final recovery often takes 10 weeks. This time frame is often longer than for that of the original surgery because of the need to stabilize the implants and allow the tissues to heal completely before stressing the repair.

The Importance of Postoperative Care Following Breast Implant Revision Surgery

Dr. Tauber and Dr. Yan are proud to provide extensive post-operative care, including his recovery program, which is designed to help optimize patients’ healing process. They are available for emergency care 24/7 after surgery and will extend the same concern and attention that they provide every patient.

Get more details on the management of swelling and scars in blog post: Post-Operative Care After Plastic Surgery.

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