There is no doubt that breast augmentations are one of the most popular types of female cosmetic surgery in the United States and make it possible for patients to increase the size of their chest, while also improving the shape and positioning of your breasts. However, sometimes it is necessary for patients to go on to have a subsequent procedure to address their implants. This is known as revision surgery.

What is breast implant revision surgery?

Breast implant revision surgery is designed to remove and/or replace a patient’s original silicone or saline implants for either cosmetic or medical reasons. It is normally performed under general anesthetic and can be completed in as little as 30 minutes or as much as two and a half hours depending on what needs to be done.

The recovery from breast implant revision surgery can be much like that from your original augmentation surgery. Obviously the more complex your revision has been, the longer your recovery could potentially be. However, most patients can return to work within 14 days of their procedure. Your surgeon will give you more specific instructions relating to your recovery.

Why breast revision surgery?

There can be a number of different reasons why a patient may opt to undergo breast revision surgery. Some of the key factors which can influence the decision to have breast implants removed or replaced include the following:

A desire for a change in breast size

Easily one of the most common causes of breast revision surgery is patient desire for a change in breast size. While every effort is made to ensure that you are aware what your new breast size will be and how it will affect you, the truth is that after their initial procedure, many women decide that they perhaps could have gone larger after all. Revision surgery in this instance is usually fairly simple since your surgeon will simply be replacing the old implants with newer, larger versions.

In some instances, a woman may wish to have her breasts smaller than before. Perhaps you are beginning to suffer back pain as a result of your enlarged chest, or are finding it harder to participate in sports? Whatever the reason, it is possible to remove the old implant and replace it with a smaller alternative. However, if there is a great deal of loose skin, this may need to be pulled tight and secured in order to achieve the optimal breast shape and appearance.

Leaking/deflated implant

Saline implants are inserted into the chest cavity empty and then filled to the desired level. However, occasionally an implant can leak, and this will cause the affected breast to lose volume, sometimes so much so that it quickly becomes obvious. Since many implants are supplied with a lifetime guarantee, your revision surgery costs may be covered. It is important to check this with your surgeon.

Capsular contracture

Capsular contracture is the term given to the tightening of the scar tissue round the implant, which then pushed it into an unnatural or undesirable position. When this happens, the implant must be addressed. There can be a number of causes of capsular contracture, including infection in the breast and trauma to the implant, but sometimes why it occurs is simply not known. Exactly what will happen in your revision surgery will be determined by your implant specialist.

​​​​​​​If you would like to discuss your suitability for breast revision surgery, our knowledgeable and experienced team would be delighted to schedule you an appointment at our comfortable offices in Lafayette, LA. Please contact us today to book your consultation.