With age, breast shape and size changes with an augmentation, and breast augmentation revision addresses such changes. The breast implants that look more aesthetic in the 20s and 30s may not hold the same perfect fit in 40s or 50s. It becomes too small or too big years later requiring you to consider a change in contour and appearance. This coupled with other factors, such as medical need and implant failure is addressed using the latest breast augmentation revision techniques.

What is breast augmentation revision?

Breast augmentation revision is performed to remove, replace, resize, or reshape existing breast implants. Similar to breast implant revision, the procedure restore the contour and appearance of breast previously augmented years ago but not perfect according to your present physique.

Breast augmentation revision is performed to correct complications, unpleasant result, or implant break following enhancement surgery,

How helpful is breast augmentation revision surgery?

With age breast size, irrespective of whether previously enhanced or not, changes over decades and many patients undergo revision surgery to regain the fuller and better breast shape. The breast augmentation revision procedure also used to increase or decrease breast size, according to body changes over years. It comes handy in case of implant removal and replacement, and improving breast symmetry.

When to consider breast augmentation revision?

The common indications for breast augmentation revision include,

• you are not satisfied with the breast size and need a change
• breast implant rupture or deflation
• problem in breast tissues around the implant
• scar, fibrosis, tightening tissue formation around implants causing capsular contracture
• change in breast implant position
• breast tissue or contour changes following weight gain,, weight loss, or skin changes
• problems with implant placement
• wrinkling or rippling detected on the implant edge
• implant malposition due to chest muscle contraction
• watery discharge from implants
• breast cancer or connective tissue damage or fibromyalgia

Who is a suitable candidate for breast augmentation revision?

Anyone with breast enhancement surgery performed more than six months ago is fit to undergo breast augmentation revision. Good health and no infection or health issues are two other preconditions for the revision surgery.

What type of anesthesia is used during breast augmentation revision?

Depending on individual patient and her plastic surgeon’s expertise, either general anesthesia or IV sedition is used.

How is breast augmentation revision surgery performed?

• When breast augmentation revision is to change the implant size, the incision made during the implant surgery is reopened and new implants are placed.
• When breast augmentation revision is to treat capsular contracture, new incisions follow the old incision line to remove the existing implants and place new ones.
• When breast augmentation revision is to treat implant rippling, the same incisions are reopened and implants were repositioned in thicker pocket or replaced.
• When breast augmentation revision is to correct implant position, the prior incision is used to remove scar tissues around the implant and recreate the pocket.
• When breast augmentation revision is to remove implants, the incision made during the implant surgery is followed to remove implants and perform breast lift.
• When breast augmentation revision is to lift breast nipple and areola, new incisions are made around them and excess skin and tissues are removed.

How long does a breast augmentation revision need?

The duration for breast revision surgery is equal to or even more than the time required to perform augmentation procedure. It takes between 1 and 3 hours depending on individual patient requirements.

How should I feel after breast augmentation revision?

Patients may have to stay under medical supervision for 24 to 48 hours. There will be soreness, swelling, breast tightness, and discomfort there. Medication ensures patients do not feel any post-operative pain.

Will there be scars?

The breast augmentation revision reopens the incisions made during the enhancement surgery. So there will be no additional scars. The incision also follows natural creases and is easily masked. Scars fade with time.

What postoperative cautions should I have after breast augmentation revision?

• Have rest for a week
• Keep incisions dry and clean
• Avoid pressing breasts
• Be attentive to any threat of infection
• No bathing for 3 days
• Be careful of any potential infection
• Avoid forceful arm or upper limb movement for 2 to 3 weeks
• Avoid lifting, overhead activities, sex, pushing or pulling, and intense workouts for 5 weeks

How long is the recovery after breast augmentation revision?

Patients return to routine work once stitches are removed in a 10 to 12 days. With swelling considerably off in the second week, they can resume activities except those requiring arm movement, overhead lifting or intense workouts. Avoid forceful arm or upper limb movement for 2 to 3 weeks and lifting, overhead activities, sex, pushing or pulling, and intense workouts for 5 weeks. No driving for two weeks.  The healing goes on until six months.

When does the benefit of breast augmentation revision become fully visible?

The initial results are visible in 2 to 3 weeks, as swelling dies down. However, healing goes on for at least six months and the best result is visible after that.

What will be the impact on breast skin after augmentation revision is performed?

Breast augmentation revision has no impact on skin. It does not make new scars or cause permanent skin texture changes. The skin discoloration is temporary.

When can I return to work after breast augmentation revision?

Patients return to work in about 10 to 15 days.

What about breast reconstruction or lift surgery along with augmentation revision?

Breast augmentation revision includes breast reconstruction. Implants are replaced or repositioned.  Flab breast reconstruction is another option. Breast lift is optional depending on the patients’ needs. It can be performed along with the revision surgery.

What are risks associated with breast augmentation revision?

There may be risk of bleeding, scarring, injury to nerves, damage to breast tissue, infection, clotting, and other surgical complications. However, an expert plastic surgeon and adherence to standard practices help minimize or prevent such risks.

References

Bengtson BP. Complications, reoperations, and revisions in breast augmentation. Clin Plast Surg. 2009 Jan;36(1):139-56, viii.

Spear SL, Low M, Ducic I. Revision augmentation mastopexy: indications, operations, and outcomes. Ann Plast Surg. 2003 Dec;51(6):540-6.

Forster NA, Künzi W, Giovanoli P. The reoperation cascade after breast augmentation with implants: what the patient needs to know. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2013 Mar;66(3):313-22

Hille-Betz U, Kniebusch N, Wojcinski S, et al. Breast reconstruction and revision surgery for implant-associated breast deformities using porcine acellular dermal matrix: a multicenter study of 156 cases. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015 Apr;22(4):1146-52

Del Vecchio DA. “SIEF”–simultaneous implant exchange with fat: a new option in revision breast implant surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012 Dec;130(6):1187-96.