Breast Revision

Considerations

The decision to have breast implant revision surgery is extremely personal. You'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of breast implant revision are acceptable..

• Reason for Revision: Understand your specific concerns, such as dissatisfaction with the appearance, complications like capsular contracture, implant rupture, or changes due to aging, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
  
  
• Realistic Expectations: Have a clear and realistic understanding of what the surgery can achieve. Discuss your goals with your surgeon to ensure they align with what is possible.
  
  
• Surgeon’s Expertise: Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast revision surgery, as it is more complex than the initial breast surgery.
  
  
• Health Status: Ensure you are in good overall health, as this surgery can be more involved and may carry higher risks. Conditions like smoking, diabetes, or poor circulation can affect healing.
  
  
• Surgical Risks: Be aware of potential risks, such as infection, scarring, anesthesia complications, or the need for additional surgeries in the future.
  
  
• Recovery Time: Understand that recovery may take longer than the original surgery and may involve more discomfort, swelling, and the need for time off work or other activities.
  
  
• Financial Considerations: Check whether the surgery is covered by insurance or if it will be an out-of-pocket expense, and consider the costs involved, including any potential follow-up procedures.
  
  
• Timing: Consider the timing of the surgery, especially if planning for life events like pregnancy, weight loss, or other surgeries that might affect the results.

Candidly discussing these considerations with your surgeon will help you make an informed decision about breast revision surgery.

Associated Risks

Breast revision surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks. Some potential risks include:

• Infection: As with any surgery, there's a risk of infection at the incision sites or within the breast tissue.
  
  
• Bleeding or Hematoma: Excessive bleeding or the formation of a hematoma (a collection of blood outside the blood vessels) may occur, sometimes requiring additional surgery.
  
  
• Scarring: Visible scars are inevitable, and while surgeons try to minimize them, some may be more prominent or thickened.
  
  
• Anesthesia Complications: General anesthesia carries risks such as allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, or other complications.
  
  
• Implant-related Issues: Problems like implant rupture, deflation, or shifting can occur, necessitating further surgery.
  
  
• Capsular Contracture: This condition involves the hardening of the scar tissue around the implant, leading to pain, distortion, and the need for corrective surgery.
  
  
• Changes in Sensation: You may experience changes in nipple or breast sensation, which can be temporary or permanent.
  
  
• Asymmetry: Despite best efforts, perfect symmetry may not be achieved, and further revisions might be needed.
  
  
• Poor Wound Healing: Some individuals may experience delayed or problematic wound healing, leading to more noticeable scarring or the need for additional surgery.
  
  
• Seroma: Fluid accumulation around the implant or in the breast tissue can occur, requiring drainage or additional procedures.
  
  
• Breastfeeding Difficulties: If you plan to have children, breast revision surgery may impact your ability to breastfeed.
  
  
• General Surgical Risks: These include blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or complications related to underlying health conditions.

Discussing these risks with your surgeon will help you understand them fully and take steps to minimize them during your breast revision surgery.