6 Reasons to Choose Breast Revision Surgery

While patients (and plastic surgeons) want the results of a breast augmentation procedure to last as long as possible, the reality is that no implants are designed to provide enhanced volume forever. This is why the West County Plastic Surgeons team offers another type of surgery—breast revision—in St. Louis.

Breast revision is ideal for patients who want to make a change to their breast augmentation results. This could be due to a change in cosmetic preferences, a health concern, or a combination of factors. In many cases, the patient first received their implants years earlier from a different plastic surgeon.

Patients choose our highly experienced and skilled plastic surgeons for the beautiful results they can provide. Here are six of the most common reasons someone may opt for a breast revision.

“Downsizing”

Breast implants are designed to make the breasts appear larger, but some patients find that their choice of implant size actually causes their chest to gain a little too much volume for their ultimate taste. Others may like the larger look at first, but discover after some time that they no longer desire that aesthetic. Note that breast revision surgery for these patients often involves a breast lift to address newly redundant skin after the larger implants are taken out.

“Bottoming Out”

Some implants—especially those not secured with a biologic scaffolding material—can migrate downward inside the chest, moving the volume lower and giving the breasts a bottom-heavy look. The result can cause the implant itself to appear too low, making the nipples appear too high in comparison. Patients who want to correct this issue can benefit from the introduction of scaffolding to hold the newly inserted and positioned implants.

Capsular Contracture

A breast implant does not float freely in the chest, but sits in a pocket that holds the device. The body forms a capsule around the device, which keeps it from shifting too much. Sometimes, however, that natural capsule made up of scar tissue can begin to squeeze the implant due to a condition known as capsular contracture. This can cause the implant—and breast—to change shape. The condition can also cause discomfort. Removing the implant and the capsule addresses this problem, and a new implant can be inserted to provide volume.

Rippling

Some breast implants may develop a look of rippling on the surface, which may become visible on the breasts themselves—especially in patients who have little fat and/or thinner skin. While removal of this implant and insertion of a new one can correct the issue, it is also possible to insert a patient’s own harvested fat cells around the implant to soften visible edges and create “padding” that hides the texture and contours of the device below.

Rupture

In rare cases, a device may rupture, developing a leak. Saline implants can deflate quickly, as their filler is sterile salt water that will flow out of the device. While the body absorbs the fluid, the resulting rapid change in implant volume can be quite noticeable in the look of the breast itself. Silicone-filled implants do not “deflate” in the same way, as the thicker material inside does not easily flow. Still, there can be some migration of material—and resulting issues. Patients with silicone-filled implants should have routine check-ups to monitor for ruptures, just in case. No matter which type of implant ruptures, however, a breast revision surgery can take out the old and insert a new, intact device.

Symmastia

Some patients’ separate implant pockets merge into a single pocket within the chest—a rare condition known as symmastia. Breast revision surgery can involve the creation of two distinct pockets again, restoring a look of cleavage.

Want to learn more about breast revision surgery? Call West County Plastic Surgeons at (314) 996.8800 or reach out online to set up a consultation with one of our accomplished plastic surgeons.