B reast implants do not have a lifetime guarantee, but most of them can last an average of about ten years. Over time, breast implants can develop a number of issues that would cause women to want to have their implants replaced, removed, or adjusted.
These kinds of problems can be corrected with a procedure called breast implant revision surgery. Complications such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, or deflation may necessitate a revision procedure. Women whose implants have shifted, were too large for their frame, or women whose breasts have changed because of weight loss, pregnancy, or time can dramatically improve the appearance of their implants with a breast revision.
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W omen interested in the breast revision procedure often ask us what is involved. Depending on what you are unhappy with – size, shape, or position of your breast implants – determines the variation of what goes into breast revision surgery.
The goal of a breast revision is to restore a natural, pleasing, feminine appearance to your breasts – either get them back to the way they were immediately after your first implant surgery or to achieve the look that you always wanted them to have. The end result of a breast implant revision is youthful, natural-looking, aesthetically pleasing breasts.
T here are several benefits to be had from precisely applied breast revision. Some common problems that can be fixed with a breast revision include:
After all implant surgeries, the body forms a protective capsule of scar tissue around the implant. Over time, the capsule can shrink and squeeze the implant. This can cause the implant to deform and change shape, resulting in breasts that are painful, hard to the touch, and that look unnatural.
With saline implants, it is very easy to tell if the implant is leaking because it will start to deflate. With silicone gel implants, an ultrasound or MRI is usually required to tell if they are leaking. New silicone gel implants do not “leak” since the silicone has a consistency of a gummy bear, but older silicone implants can and need to be replaced if they do.
This is more common in saline implants that are too large for a patient’s body. Visible ripples on the implant can be seen through the skin.
Any implant that is placed under the muscle will move when the pectoral muscles contract. This is exaggerated as the implant size gets larger relative to the patient’s chest.
If the implant has moved higher or lower on the chest it can cause discomfort and also distort the appearance of the breasts. Revisions from implant malposition are common when large implants are placed under the muscle. Over time, these implants end up in the armpits or lower down on the abdomen.
If the implants were placed too close together in an attempt to produce better cleavage, the implants can touch in the middle, resulting in symmastia or “uni-boob”.
Even without any of the above problems, breast implant revision can also be performed if the patient simply wants a smaller or larger size implant.
Patients with thin or soft breast tissue are at a higher risk of experiencing this condition. Bottoming out occurs when nipples appear high up or an inframammary fold is unnaturally low. The breast implant then pulls the breast downward making it to bottom out.
When the implant drops below the fold of the breast, the breast tissue will hang and droop leading to a double bubble complication.
Every patient is unique so if you’re having other problems with your breast implant and you’d like to learn about breast revision, patients should give Dr. Hall a call today at (865) 973-9500. We would absolutely love to hear from you and help in any way we can.
T he timing of breast implant revision surgery varies depending on the reason you are seeking revision surgery. Some women who got implants in their late teens or twenties are seeking to “downsize” their breasts since their aesthetic tastes have changed over the past 15-20 years.
Other women seek breast implant revision surgery a few years after their first implant placement because the implants are malpositioned or they have developed rippling, symmastia, or animation deformities. When you are no longer happy with the way your implants look, it is time to look into whether breast implant revision surgery is right for you.
As part of the preparation for the breast implant revision, Dr. Hall requests the following:
In many cases of breast implant revision surgery, implants that were too large were placed in the breast, which causes the breast tissue to thin over time. This makes any revision more difficult because the implant is more difficult to “hide” under very thin skin and breast tissue.
During breast implant revision surgery, it is not uncommon for Dr. Hall to harvest some of your own body fat using liposuction and use it to smooth out the contours of the breast in addition to replacing the implants. This addition – called fat grafting – helps to restore the natural shape and feel of your breasts.
The particulars of each breast revision depend on the correction that is necessary. However, in some cases, the original incision can be used again to avoid creating another scar. Because breast revision is a corrective surgery, it could be more complicated than the initial breast implant procedure.
It is therefore important that a patient uses an experienced and skillful surgeon for the procedure. For breast implant revision, Dr. Hall utilizes advanced techniques to minimize scarring, pain, and discomfort. The techniques used also help prevent future infections thus shortening the recovery period.
Dr. Hall will carefully listen to you, analyze and understand your reasons and objectives for seeking a revisionary surgery. Dr. Hall will then take greater care when performing the surgery to resolve the issue and ensure you are fully satisfied and happy with the results.
Capsular contracture is a common complication that occurs after breast augmentation surgery. This complication happens when scar tissue forms around the implant causing discomfort. With this procedure, the problem is that the pocket of scar tissue holding the implant inside the breast is squeezing the implant. Dr. Hall will remove the hard capsule and the breast implant and then replace the old implants with new, modern implants (often replacing saline with silicone).
When the edges of the implant can be seen “rippling” across the outer edges of the breast, Dr. Hall will attempt to use the original incision and try to reposition the implant inside the breast and give it more support. Most Knoxville breast implant revision patients opt to replace their saline implants with silicone gel during this procedure, as well.
For women who want to increase their implant size, Dr. Hall will use the original incision and then change the shape and size of the space where the implant sits (the “pocket” in surgery language). Obviously, new implants are needed for this procedure.
A fter a breast implant revision surgery, Dr. Hall will apply bandages on the incisions and will have you in a surgical bra to support the revised breasts and minimize swelling. Patients can expect their recovery from a breast revision to be about the same as their original surgery, as few surgeons practice the same gentle technique for implant placement that Dr. Hall uses. Most breast implant revision patients will be sore for the first week after their surgery, but this resolves quickly. Swelling may last longer than the original implant surgery, and this swelling usually goes away within a month or so.
Most women can return to work within seven to ten days depending on the type of work they do. As with your first implant surgery, you should avoid any kind of strenuous physical activity for at least six weeks.
Additional information:
Restrictions:
Patients will want to delay buying new bras/swimsuits for 6-8 weeks (breasts will be swollen)
E xpertly applied breast revision at Trillium Plastic Surgery can produce enhanced results. Dr. Hall strives to deliver the best breast implant revision Knoxville has to offer. If your breasts have any of the above issues, or you are just unhappy with their appearance, contact Knoxville plastic surgeon, Dr. Hall today to schedule a consultation with him here in our office. During this preliminary consultation, you can talk with Dr. Hall about the concerns you have with your breasts and then discuss treatment options.
KNOXVILLE, TN
Contact us today to schedule your appointment with renowned plastic surgeon and face, body & breast specialist Dr. Jason Hall. Take your first steps to a more confident and natural you.
9239 Park W Blvd #202, Knoxville, TN 37923
9239 Park W Blvd #202,
Knoxville TN 37923
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Fri: 8:00am - 3pm
