Women of all ages consider breast enlargement / breast augmentation. This procedure uses implants to increase the size and enhance the shape of small or deflated breasts.
While many women are thrilled with their results long-term, others wish they had made a different implant selection. Alternatively, some women who were pleased with the look of their implants initially may change their mind over time or they may experience a complication with the implant.
Fortunately, women are not left to deal with unsatisfactory results or complications with their implants. Breast revision (also known as breast implant removal, augmentation revision, secondary breast augmentation, or explantation) can remove and replace breast implants to improve on your results.
So, what reasons would lead a woman to choosing this surgery?
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The Best Candidate for a Breast Revision Surgery
A revision is only possible if you have had breast augmentation before. Aside from not smoking and health, here are several reasons that necessitate breast revision surgery.
Implants Bottoming Out
This implant complication is one of the ways that implants can become displaced.
Here, breast implants drop to the lower pole of the breast, creating too much fullness at the bottom and no fullness on the upper pole (above the nipple).
Alternatively, implants can also fall beneath the breast crease. When this happens, it creates the look of a double breast. Therefore, this complication is known as double bubble deformity.
Capsular Contracture
The body naturally forms a scar tissue capsule around the implant. This is the case with any foreign object being put into the body. While the scar tissue is not a problem in and of itself, the scar tissue can occasionally become hard or thick. It can also tighten around the implant, leading to pain and physical distortion. This is known as capsular contracture.
Although capsular contractures are not life-threatening or cause severe illness, they are uncomfortable. They also interfere with your breast symmetry. You need breast revision surgery to remove the implant. The plastic surgeon can place another implant in a different position in the corrective procedure.
Implant Size Reduction
Sometimes you can gain weight, increasing your breast size after a breast augmentation. The additional breast weight can affect your posture, strain your back, and add pressure to your spinal cord. Sometimes the large size is not just aesthetically pleasing to you anymore.
It is worth noting that downsizing can cause skin sagging. The large implants stretch the skin around it that the small implants cannot occupy. You will need an additional procedure to remove the extra skin. This is known as a breast lift.
Alternatively, you can also choose larger implants if the initial surgery did not give you the enhancement you were looking for.
Ruptured Implants
Implants have an expiration date, and sometimes accidents happen. A rupture happens when the silicone shell of a saline or silicone implant weakens and tears. When saline implants rupture, the solution is harmlessly absorbed by the body. Silicone ruptures are not as easily noticeable, since no absorption occurs; however, in most cases with modern implants, the silicone remains in the shell.
Consult your plastic surgeon immediately if you suspect a breast implant rupture.
Symmastia
The surgeon creates pockets to place the implants during breast implant surgery. Sometimes these pockets from both your breasts merge in the middle of the chest. You need revision surgery to rectify this problem.
Rippling
Breast implants can appear as ripples on your breast. Their sight is not aesthetically pleasing. The surgeon can graft your fat over the breast’s soft tissue to hide the ripples.
FAQs
Can You Prevent a Capsular Contracture From Forming?
The body takes about six weeks to form a capsule. Avoid strenuous activity during this period if you want to develop an unproblematic capsule. Your breast and chest tissues need time to heal from the bruising, swelling, and irritation. The surrounding body tissues also need time to co-exist with the foreign body (implant).
Avoid repetitive constructions of the upper body during your healing period. Using these muscles frequently interferes with healing and scar tissue formation. Be gentle with your breasts until they fully heal.
What Are the Side Effects of Breast Revision Surgery?
Expect to have bruising, swelling, and some discomfort. The prescribed painkillers will help you manage pain during the first week of surgery. Your breast size will keep changing shape and size during this period as the body gets accustomed to the new alterations. Avoid buying bras and tight-fitting clothes until the changes stop.
What Is Breast Revision Surgery?
A revision procedure is an operation that improves the appearance of breasts that have undergone another breast surgery. You can remove or replace implants or reposition the breast tissue to enhance the first surgery.
How Many Breast Revisions Can You Have?
You may have as many revision procedures as possible. However, the integrity of your breast tissue determines the number. Most importantly, if you are unsatisfied after two or three revisions, it may be time to re-evaluate your goals and expectations.