Implant Revision Surgery
One of our specialties is revision surgery on breast augmentation. I've been practicing since 1992 and have done hundreds of these revisions. Some of these patients had their augmentation here, but most come from outside this practice.
I have seen an increase in the number of revision implant surgeries. There are a few reasons for this...every breast ages and changes in weight, pregnancies, or genetic tendencies will change the appearance of the breast with time. Since there are millions of women who have implants, there is a population that will need/want revision over the years.
A recent study confirmed that the most common reason for revision breast surgery is to change size. This why it is so important to spend a lot of time helping the patient decide which size is best for her.
Every breast, whether augmented or not, eventually droops with time. This type of revision may involve replacing the implant and/or a lift at the same time.
Sometimes a breast will get a hard 'capsule'. The non-surgical treatments are not very effective for this. Surgery is usually required to release that scar...the breast immediately becomes soft. Again, some patients change implant sizes or types, ie go from saline to silicone.
Another common revision type is for asymmetry. Everyone wants as much symmetry as possible and that is the goal. Again, sometimes this requires a revision to one or both sides, depending on the situation...one side may need a lift, or the other side may need to be dropped, etc.
With the full release of silicone gel implants in early 2007, more and more women are changing their saline implants to silicone. Silicone has a much more realistic 'feel', both to the woman and their partner. Silicone also has much less visible and palpable rippling than saline.
Each revision surgery is unique in its plan. I spend a lot of time pre-operatively with these patients so that we are sure we are communicating both the patient and I understand each other.
