Getting breast implants can help patients achieve their desired breast appearance. It can make the chest area appear more proportional to the shoulders and hips, creating a more balanced figure, and it can even lead to an increase in patient self-confidence.
However, when breast implants are long overdue for a replacement or lead to health complications, many patients are often desperate for a resolution. Thankfully, at Hamptons Plastic Surgery, Dr. Tracy Pfeifer is proud to offer revision breast augmentation to help correct these complications in patients who are looking to resolve their breast implant issues. Skilled in working with different types of implants and highly experienced in the breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Pfeifer prioritizes customized treatment for each patient who needs revision breast augmentation.
What Is Revision Breast Augmentation?
Revision breast augmentation is meant to replace old breast implants with new implants. This procedure can be done for a number of reasons. Breast implants are designed to last up to 10 to 15 years. After this time period, it’s important that patients revisit their surgeon to replace their current implants in order to avoid complications.
However, even within the 10 to 15-year timeframe, breast implants can become the root cause of pain, discomfort, and other health conditions. Emergency breast implant issues such as a rupture or leakage can pose serious risks to the patient, making revision breast augmentation necessary. During this procedure, a breast lift or breast reduction may also be performed.
What Issues Can Revision Breast Augmentation Correct?
A revision breast augmentation is used to replace old implants and correct any complications they provide the patient. These complications can include:
- Incorrect breast shape and/or size
- Implant leakage
- Implant rupture
- Pain from capsular contracture
- Change to a different implant material
- Sagging breasts
Who Is the Ideal Candidate for Revision Breast Augmentation?
The ideal candidates for revision breast augmentation are adults who are unhappy with the size, shape, or appearance of their implants. Candidates may also be those who are experiencing pain, discomfort, or issues such as ruptures or leakages with their implants. The ideal candidate should be able to maintain realistic expectations about the results from their revision surgery and should commit to a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle that allows them to maintain a stable weight. Keeping a stable weight will prevent the alteration of the results from their revision breast augmentation.
Patients who are smokers will be advised to quit smoking at least six weeks before their procedure. If you have had multiple breast surgeries in the past that have resulted in complications such as thin skin or breast tissue damage, you may be at a higher risk for complications after your revision surgery. During your consultation with Dr. Pfeifer, we encourage all patients to be truthful about their breast implant history in order to properly determine their candidacy.
Are There Any Risks with Revision Breast Augmentation?
Like any other surgery, revision breast augmentation can include potential risks such as:
- Asymmetry
- Breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma
- Excessive bleeding
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Fat necrosis
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Hematoma
- Changes in skin or nipple sensation
- Changes in natural milk ducts and milk production
- Poor wound healing
- Discoloration of the skin
- Unfavorable scarring
Dr. Pfeifer provides high-quality treatment to all patients, taking into consideration their medical history and aesthetic goals to perform a safe and efficient procedure. Under her care, patients can expect to easily manage their side effects post-surgery and avoid these risks.
What Questions Should I Ask During My Consultation to Avoid Future Issues With My Breast Implants?
To avoid future complications with breast implants, we encourage patients to come prepared to their consultations with personal information ready and questions that can help inform the patient as much as possible
Some helpful questions when learning about revision breast augmentation may include:
- How can my issues be corrected with a revision surgery?
- What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
- How will my recovery after a revision surgery compare to the recovery experiences from my past breast implant procedures?
- How can I expect my breast implant revision to look over time?
- What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome?
- Do you have before-and-after photos of your previous work on this procedure?
What Is Recovery Like After a Revision Breast Augmentation?
While the recovery experience will vary from patient to patient, most revision breast augmentation patients can return to work after a downtime of one to two weeks. After this time, patients may still experience common side effects such as swelling, bruising, tenderness, and redness. Over time, these side effects should improve on their own.
To achieve a successful, complication-free recovery, patients should diligently follow Dr. Pfeifer’s aftercare instructions.
What Are the Benefits of a Revision Breast Augmentation?
Going through the surgical and recovery process of a breast augmentation is no easy feat. Patients who experience this procedure can feel extremely saddened or defeated if they are unhappy with the results of their breast implants. Revision breast augmentation provides many benefits to patients by allowing them to have a second chance at achieving their desired appearance. In addition, a revision breast augmentation can improve their overall health if they are experiencing complications from their previous implants. This procedure can also resolve problems such as back pain, allow for more mobility with size and shape correction, as well as restore self-confidence in patients.
Schedule a Consultation at Hamptons Plastic Surgery
If you are ready to learn more about how revision breast augmentation can help resolve your breast implant issues for good, schedule a consultation with Dr. Tracy Pfeifer at Hamptons Plastic Surgery.