Posted March 29, 2020 in Breast Revision
When women seek breast revision, the skill, record and reputation of a plastic surgeon become especially important.
A breast revision candidate may have already been disappointed by a procedure that resulted in an inelegant appearance or led to serious side effects. Or sometimes, the look and feel of implants may not have met a patient’s expectations. Here, experienced Sacramento plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Green discusses the why and how of breast revision.
Breast revision surgery becomes urgent when implants have lost integrity, drifted or caused changes to surrounding tissue. Serious conditions include:
• Capsular contracture, which develops when scar tissue forms around an implant. With this condition, patients feel pain and notice a hardening of breast tissue. This type of scarring can also cause an implant to rupture.
• Symmastia, in which migration of the implants or improper positioning makes it look like the breasts are joined in the middle of the chest.
• Breasts that look asymmetrical. This may have been caused by implant malposition, and was immediately obvious after surgery. It can also be the result of implants that were properly placed but have moved from their original location.
• Implants that have ruptured, or whose outlines are clearly visible. In some cases the visible outline will give the skin a “rippling” appearance.
The Look and Feel
Breast revision is also appropriate for women who decide that implants did not meet their aesthetic ideal, or felt less natural than they hoped. In a few cases, patients have health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, that may be aggravated by the presence of implants.
When women decide that saline implants feel less natural than they expected, many opt for surgery to swap saline for a silicone gel variety. Other women may have health or safety concerns about silicone gel implants, and choose saline for their breast revision procedure.
Breast revision is also the choice of women who find that larger size breasts have led to neck and back pain and poor posture. Heavy breasts can limit a woman’s freedom, making some physical activities impractical or uncomfortable. Bra straps may chafe against the skin and put a strain on shoulders, potentially impacting circulation. The added weight of a larger breast size pulls the shoulders forward, often leading to chronic back pain and a slouch when walking or standing.
Breast Revision Surgical Technique
When implants are removed, the pocket that held the implant must be refilled with natural tissue to restore a natural look. This involves a procedure that is similar to breast lift. When large implants are removed, the skin may have a stretched appearance; in addition, the breasts may appear to sag or seem deflated. If you choose smaller implants, the area surrounding the new implant will need to be tightened. During breast revision, your surgeon can also adjust the nipple, compress the size of the areola, and shape a perkier profile.
To learn more about breast revision and schedule your personal consultation with Sacramento plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Green, please call (916) 929-1833, or request an appointment online today.