Top Five Reasons for Breast Revision Surgery

Breast revision surgery is not an uncommon procedure. A revision may be needed to fix or improve a previous breast augmentation or, in some instances, update or replace older implants for cosmetic reasons. Whether a patient has a medical or aesthetic need for breast revision surgery, finding a qualified, skilled plastic surgeon is a crucial factor. Breast revision surgery is an intricate procedure due to working with scar tissue, previous incision areas, and even correcting the work of another surgeon. Revision surgery is typically never a patient's first choice, but it can be necessary.

Dr. Sean Kelishadi is a board-certified plastic surgeon and President of SSK Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA. During the initial consultation, Dr. Kelishadi will listen to a patient's concerns and conduct a thorough examination to determine the best course of action. Patients should be open and honest about their expectations to give Dr. Kelishadi enough information to implement the right protocol to achieve the best outcome.

How common is breast revision surgery?

Breast revision surgery, also known as corrective breast augmentation, is not a routine or standard cosmetic procedure. It must be customized to accommodate every patient. There are different reasons why women may need to consider breast revision surgery. Therefore, patients considering this type of procedure need a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Kelishadi who is experienced and well-trained in all kinds of breast surgery. SSK Plastic Surgery takes a patient-first approach with every procedure. Dr. Kelishadi will listen to each patient and develop a revision plan to address any concerns or needs.

Top 5 reasons for breast implant revision surgery

With the right breast revision surgery, patients can improve their current breast augmentation results to achieve their desired outcome. There is a misconception that women only need breast revision surgery to replace their implants every ten years. There is no definitive timeline for when breast implants need to be replaced or updated, but there are other reasons why women may need breast revision surgery:

Different size

Breast revision surgery is not always needed to correct an issue. One of the most common reasons why women want breast revision surgery is to change the size of their breasts. Women who erred on the conservative side with size may opt to go larger, while some women who went larger may decide to go smaller.

Eliminating capsular contracture

When a structural device like breast implants is introduced into the body, a natural defense mechanism kicks in to form a capsule of scar tissue around it. It is a normal occurrence after breast augmentation and during the healing process. However, in some cases, capsular contracture can become a complication when scar tissue becomes overly hardened, causing an abnormal appearance, tenderness, and discomfort with the breast. It can be remedied with breast revision surgery, allowing a plastic surgeon to remove excess scar tissue to eliminate any capsular contracture symptoms.

Correcting asymmetry

Women who experience a change in their augmented breasts due to age or weight may find the asymmetry in their breasts become more pronounced if not corrected. Breast revision surgery can be customized to create a symmetrical appearance by changing out one or both implants to create a more balanced look.

Implant malposition

In some cases, breast implants can move away from the original breast pocket. It is usually detected based on the appearance of the breasts. Lateral disposition occurs when implants move away from each other or to the edge of the chest. Symmastia is when breast implants move closer together or to the center of the chest. Bottoming out is when breast implants move below the breast pocket. During breast revision surgery, the breast implants will be returned to their original location before tightening up the breast pocket to establish more stability.

Changing implant type

With evolving medical technology, new breast implant types are continually being developed. Women who had their breast augmentation procedure over a decade ago may decide for a more advanced option like gummy bear implants. Some women may choose to change out saline implants for silicone and vice versa.

What should I look for in a breast revision surgeon?

A woman's body continually changes with age or other factors, which can aesthetically alter their original breast augmentation results. For some women, complications with breast augmentation like capsular contracture or implant malposition occur, which requires revision surgery. No matter what the reason behind a patient considering breast revision surgery, it requires a complex blend of creative skill and surgical expertise to restore a woman's feminine appearance. Patients need to ensure they have the right board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Kelishadi to achieve their desired outcome.

Despite even the best surgical execution, changes can occur with augmented breasts, leaving patients needing a breast revision. When considering this procedure, women should first find a trusted and experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Sean Kelishadi who is knowledgeable in various types of breast surgery like revisions, lifts, and augmentation. He will listen to a patient's aesthetic concerns and develop a surgical plan to address every issue accurately. If you have additional questions, we encourage you to call SSK Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA to schedule a breast revision consultation with Dr. Kelishadi today.