Revision Breast Surgery
Breast revision surgery can help women who are dissatisfied with a previous breast augmentation or breast reconstruction procedure. By addressing complications or disappointment stemming from a past surgery, Dr. Luis A. Zapiach and Dr. John T. Cozzone can help patients achieve the beautiful, natural-looking results they had originally hoped for. Art Plastic Surgery is committed to helping our patients attain their ultimate cosmetic or reconstructive goals.
Contact Art Plastic Surgery at (201) 251-6622 for a consultation regarding breast revision surgery today
Ready to Schedule Your Consultation?
Our team is ready to help you navigate through the next steps of you booking your procedure. Contact us today!
Ready to Schedule Your Consultation?
Our team is ready to help you navigate through the next steps of you booking your procedure. Contact us today!
Breast Revision
For a number of women, breast augmentation is a way to achieve fuller breasts that are in better proportion with the overall body frame. The procedure can also boost self-esteem while making them feel and look more youthful and sensual. However, some patients find that their original experience with the breast augmentation procedure either did not yield the results they expected, or resulted in unforeseen complications. Reasons are typically confronted during the consultation process for a breast revision surgery include the following:
- Breast implants are too large or small
- The patient desires a switch from saline to silicone implants or vice versa
- The patient desires a return to their original breast size
- The procedure resulted in capsular contracture, which is the formation of scar tissue around the implant that causes a painful hardening feeling in the breasts
- Implant deflation or rupture
- A rippling appearance to the implant
- Infection around the incision sites
- Asymmetrical appearance caused by shifting of the implant or awkward implant shape
Breast revision surgery or implant removal may also be required if a patient is undergoing unrelated health issues such as breast cancer, which may be better treated without the implant.
Regardless of the reason for a breast revision surgery, our plastic surgeons will discuss all available options associated with the procedure to provide our patients with fully developed goals and expectations.
Breast Revision Procedure
There are a number of options when it comes to breast revision surgery depending on a patient’s needs and ultimate goals, which our New Jersey plastic surgeons will discuss with the patients in further detail during the consultation process. The time required for breast revision surgery will depend on the extent of the procedure. Breast revision surgery is often performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
Saline implant removal typically involves the deflation of the implant before removing it. Once removed, our plastic surgeons will eliminate any existing scar tissue. If the saline implant is being replaced by a silicone implant, the new implants are generally placed immediately after the original implants are removed.
Silicone implant removal typically involves a more in-depth procedure, as some surrounding muscle and tissue may need to be removed as well.
Capsular Contracture is the formation of scar tissue around the implant that causes a painful hardening feeling in the breasts, and typically requires one of two procedures to treat the body’s reaction to the implants.
The capsulotomy procedure treats the hardened scar capsule by cutting it open to free the implant from constriction. This procedure is typically used for patients experiencing contracture of only a small area around the implant.
Capsulectomy, sometimes called a full capsulotomy, involves the excision (full removal) of the scar capsule. This procedure is usually the best way to relieve contracture symptoms, and will require substantial recovery time.
Breast implant removal typically takes thirty minutes to one hour, under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia combined with IV sedation. Through an incision in the inframammary fold (under the breast) or the peri-areolar incision (through the nipple), Dr. Cozzone, Dr. Zapiach, or Dr. Vieira will remove the implants and address any resulting scar tissue.
Saline implant deflation or rupture is typically very noticeable, as the saline implants deflate quickly causing the breasts to change in size and shape. The saline is usually harmless, and easily absorbed by the body. Because silicone implants tend to leak more slowly than saline, initial rupture or deflation may go unnoticed. If a patient is concerned their silicone implant has ruptured, our plastic surgeons would conduct an MRI to detect a leak, and address the impending deflation as necessary to provide his patients with the highest level of safety possible.
Whether a patient desired a larger or smaller implant, or an implant has shifted and resulted in an asymmetrical appearance, Art Plastic Surgery is well-equipped to address any and all of their patient’s goals and help them achieve the results they originally expected.
Breast Revision Recovery
The recovery process for breast revision procedures is dependent upon which type of revision surgery is performed by Art Plastic Surgery. Implant removal typically results in some mild discomfort, swelling, and bruising following the surgery, which can be managed with medication. Patients having their implants replaced can expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the days following the procedure, but this also can be treated with medication. Patients who have undergone implant replacement surgery may also be fitted with a compression bra for the few weeks following the procedure to aid in the healing process.
Any breast revision recipient should avoid strenuous activities that could strain or harm the breasts for at least six weeks following the surgery. However, depending on the procedure performed, most patients are able to return to their daily activities a few days after the surgery.
Please contact Art Plastic Surgery if you have any questions or concerns regarding breast revision surgery, or for a consultation at our practice.