Common Reasons for Breast Revision
Even the safest surgical procedures are not without risk. While there are ways to avoid plastic surgery mishaps, procedures such as breast augmentation can lead to complications or dissatisfying results that require revisionary surgery.
If you experience the following complications or issues after your breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Schlechter can expertly perform breast revision to eliminate your concerns and improve your results.
Surgical Complications
While rare, surgical complications may unexpectedly occur after breast augmentation. Complications with breast implants are not uncommon despite the procedure being performed properly, but they can nonetheless occur with varying degrees of risk for any woman with breast implants.
Common complications that require breast revision surgery include:
- Capsular Contracture: The scar tissue constricts around the implant, causing the breast to become unnaturally firm, cold, and painful.
- Bottoming Out: The implant slips below the breast crease, causing the upper portion of the breast to collapse and the nipple to point upward.
- Double Bubble Deformity: The implant is pushed upward so that the breast tissue sags beneath it, or the implant slips downward so that the breast tissue appears to sit on top of it. Either situation leads to the appearance of two bubbles.
- Rupture or Deflation: The implant shell tears, causing the filling to spill out into the breast pocket. Implant rupture or deflation is usually noticeable with saline implants but may only be detected by an MRI in the case of silicone implants.
- Synmastia: The implant shifts toward the center, creating a “uniboob.” This issue is quite rare and is usually caused by poor technique on the part of the original surgeon.
- Implant Malposition or Shift: The implant is vertically or laterally displaced because it has shifted within the pocket. This complication usually produces noticeable breast asymmetry with an unnatural appearance or position of one or both breasts.
- Implant Rotation: An anatomical implant rotates within the breast pocket, creating an unnatural breast shape.
Some of these issues may compound, leading to an even greater need for surgical correction. Dr. Schlechter can correct each of these issues with breast revision surgery. The technique used for your breast revision may involve adjustment of the breast tissue and breast pocket, removal of scar tissue, and/or replacement of the implant(s).
Dr. Schlechter is known for having a remarkably low rate of capsular contracture (less than one percent in contrast to the national average of 15 percent), and he can significantly reduce your risk of recurrent complications.
Other Reasons for Breast Revision
Other reasons for breast revision are primarily elective and may include:
- Size Change: The implants may be exchanged for smaller or larger ones according to the patient’s preference. Implant size change may be desired shortly after surgery or many years afterward.
- Implant Type Change: The implants may be exchanged for implants of a different material or type according to the patient’s preference.
- Implant Removal: If desired, the implants may be permanently removed.
Adjustment of the breast pocket and breast tissue as well as accompanying breast lift surgery may be needed if breast revision is performed for these reasons. Unlike with surgical complications, breast revision surgery is not technically necessary unless the woman is unhappy with her results.
If you would like to improve your results after breast augmentation, Dr. Schlechter can perform breast revision surgery to help you achieve the results you desire.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Benjamin Schlechter, MD, FACS has over 28 years of experience in plastic surgery. If you are interested in breast revision surgery, Dr. Schlechter can help. To schedule your complimentary consultation, call (610) 678-9200 or contact us online today.
