Women who are dissatisfied with a previous breast augmentation or breast reconstruction procedure may still gain the results they originally hoped for through breast revision surgery. The reasons for breast revision surgery can include wanting to change the size of their implant, changing the type of implant (saline to silicone gel implants or vice versa), improving unevenness and texture issues, correcting hardening of the implant due to scar tissue formation or replacing an older implant that has ruptured. Breast revision surgery can correct breast changes stemming from other factors also such as pregnancies, breast feeding, weight loss, aging and gravity.
- What is Breast Revision Surgery?
- Breast Revision Procedure
- Breast Revision Candidates
- Breast Revision Recovery
- Breast Revision Results
What is Breast Revision Surgery?
Many factors affect the long term appearance of the breast. Pregnancies, breast feeding, weight loss, aging, and gravity are natural processes. For those who have breast surgery, such as implant procedures, the long term effects of the implants and scar tissue can add to the unpredictable changes to the breast. Therefore, it is expected that revision surgeries are likely. Secondary breast surgeries are more challenging and unpredictable, requiring proper assessment and planning. It is very important to do a complete evaluation with Dr. Behzad Parva to review your surgical history and determine if you are a good candidate for revision surgery. The most common factors leading to revision surgery include:
- Capsular Contracture (scar tissue that forms around an implant and causes firmness of the breast)
- Implant Rupture
- Breast Asymmetry (breast differences)
The Breast Revision Procedure:
Planning will set the stage for the appropriate procedure or combination of procedure necessary. Therefore, the procedures can vary. Based on the pre-operative plan, Dr. Parva in Northern Virginia makes the skin markings in the pre-operative holding area. Surgery times may vary from 1 hour to 4 hours. Depending on the extent of surgery performed, a drain may be placed behind the breast to reduce potential fluid build up during the recovery period. The surgery may be performed with an overnight stay at the hospital, or more often as an outpatient. A supportive bra is placed before leaving the operating room.
Who is a Good Candidate?
- Abnormal hardening of the breast from scar tissue
- Breast pain from hardening around breast implants
- Breast asymmetries of size, position or shape
- Documented rupture of implants
- Implants in unattractive location
- Wrinkling or rippling of the skin from thin skin and the underlying implants
- Healthy individual
- Non-smoker
- Realistic goals and expectations
Recovery and Healing:
- Initial healing takes 5 to 10 days
- Generally, recovery time is less than one week and many women who work outside the home will return to work within several days.
- You will be encouraged to use scar reduction measures, such as silicone gel and massage of the scars.
- You will be encouraged to wear a supportive bra and avoid high impact activities for 3 to 4 week.
- Recommended to avoid heavy lifting for 2 weeks
Results:
Noticeable results are seen immediately but it will take several months for swelling to settle and for the long term results to be evident.
Because of the degree of anatomic abnormalities that can accompany breast asymmetries, secondary surgical procedures may be needed.
“Dear Dr. Parva and Team –
I wanted to thank you for making my recent breast surgery a success. As you can imagine there is a lot of anxiety that goes into this decision process, however you and your team were very supportive and provided information in the most professional way.”
Schedule Your Breast Revision Surgery Consultation
Please contact Parva Plastic Surgery to schedule your breast revision surgery consultation with Dr. Parva today.