What Is a Breast Implant Revision and When Is it Necessary?

According to recent studies, breast augmentation was still the most performed plastic surgery procedure in 2017, up 3% from 2016. After their initial breast augmentation procedure, there are different reasons why patients choose to undergo breast implant revision surgery. One of the most common ones is that they are unhappy with their current implant size, and would like to change it. For others, it may be due to a complication with their initial implants. No matter the reason behind contemplating breast implant revision surgery, it is important to work with a skilled plastic surgeon who can help guide you in the right direction and provide an appropriate solution.

Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, is a cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery center serving patients in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Their team of board-certified plastic surgeons makes it their mission to provide each patient with the utmost quality and care. Here is an in-depth look at what breast implant revision is and when it may be necessary.

Why consider breast augmentation in the first place

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed each year among women in the Jacksonville, FL area. Breast augmentation can help reshape and resize a woman’s breasts as well as boost her self-confidence. There are a variety of reasons as to why women choose breast augmentation, including:

• Age, which can cause breasts to sag and lose volume
• Pregnancy and fluctuating hormones
• Reconstructive surgery due to a mastectomy
• Changes in the size or shape of the breasts due to extensive weight loss
• Disproportional body frame due to small breasts
• A general dissatisfaction with the appearance of their breasts (too small, asymmetrical, etc)

Reasons for breast implant revision

Over time, a woman’s breasts can change in size or shape for a variety of reasons, even once implants are in place. Due to these changes or other issues that may be encountered, some women in Northeast Florida may need their current breast implants to be revised, removed, or replaced. Common reasons why women undergo breast implant revision surgery are:

• Changes in the texture or type of their current implant
• Surgical errors from the initial breast augmentation procedure
• Issues with capsular contracture
• Breast implants that have "bottomed out"
• Concerns about rippling or rupture of their current implants
• To change the size or shape of their current implants
• Health/medical reasons
• To replace older implants (generally necessary every 10-15 years)
• Simply no longer wish to have breast implants

The goal of breast implant revision surgery

Breast implant revision surgery is not a standard procedure and varies by patient due to the reason for the revision. Each patient has her own needs or concerns about their breasts, which can be shared during the initial consultation. The board-certified plastic surgeons at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery will listen to each patient, conduct a thorough examination, and develop the right surgical plan to address any issues that would require a breast revision. Common procedures performed by the plastic surgeons at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery for breast revision surgery include:

• Correction of existing implant issues due to surgical error
• Complete replacement of current implants due to rupture, rippling, issues like capsular contracture
• Reshape the implant pocket to reposition the current implant into a more appropriate place
• Increase or decrease the size, shape, or style with a new breast implant

Breast revision to address capsular contracture

Breast implant revision surgery is generally for patients who have had breast augmentation in the past and have a need or desire to change their current implants. However, in some cases, revision surgery is needed to address medical concerns. A condition called capsular contracture occurs when the implant is naturally rejected by the patient’s body, causing it to react by forming scar tissue around it. When the scar tissue becomes too thick, it can make the implant “hard” in either one or both breasts. Other warning signs can be painful discomfort, changes to skin sensation, and an unnatural appearance to the breasts. Breast revision surgery to address capsular contracture may be necessary to reverse this condition and can be determined by one of our surgical experts.

Fixing breasts that have "bottomed out"

Another rare but possible complication with breast augmentation is the occurrence of breast implants bottoming out. This occurs when the implant moves below the breast crease, therefore, giving patients an unnatural or “bottom-heavy” appearance. Bottoming out is more likely to occur with larger implants or poor breast tissue quality. In most cases, breast revision surgery is the only procedure to correct this issue. The surgical experts at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery can determine the best surgical approach to eliminate this concern and prevent any further bottoming-out complications with your revision surgery.

It is important that patients are informed about possible reasons for breast revision surgery in case of any complications or surgical needs in the future. In most cases, patients have no medical or cosmetic issues to warrant a breast implant revision, but they are advised to expect at least one or two additional surgeries during their lifetime to replace implants at the ten-year (or more) mark.

Breast implant revision surgery can be necessary to aesthetically or medically address any concerns a patient may have with their breast implants. If you live in the Jacksonville, FL, area, you can get professional cosmetic advice from one of the experienced team members at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery. Let our board-certified plastic surgeons give you the help you need so you can enjoy your breast augmentation results. We invite you to call today and schedule your breast implant revision surgery consultation  with one of our experts.