Who Are The Best Candidates For Breast Revision?
Who should get breast revisions? Nashville Plastic Surgery Institute says that cosmetic surgeons often get asked that question by patients. They also hear similar inquiries, such as, “When should I get my breasts redone?” or “How long should you wait for a breast revision?”
Breast augmentation is a common cosmetic procedure sought by countless individuals looking to enhance their appearance by enhancing the size and volume of the breasts. However, not every breast augmentation procedure goes smoothly, and some may require revision surgery to address issues or achieve desired results after they have fully healed from their previous surgery. In other cases, even those who love the results from their surgery might decide that they want to have a breast revision due to lifestyle or preference changes. Others might experience complications with implants and need to have breast revision surgery to address them.
Continue scrolling for a basic guide to the characteristics that would make someone an ideal candidate to help you know whether breast revision surgery is the right approach for you.
Unsatisfactory Results from Previous Surgery
Although most patients are satisfied with their results, the main reason for seeking breast revision surgery is often dissatisfaction with the results of a previous breast augmentation.
Dissatisfaction with Breast Size
Some patients wish they had chosen a larger or smaller implant size. Note that plastic surgeons usually recommend that patients wait until at least a year after their initial surgery if they want to swap them for a larger or smaller size. The body can fully heal during this time and implants can settle into a final position.
Implant Rupture or Deflation
While modern breast implants are designed to be durable, ruptures or deflations can occur over time. The likelihood of rupture also increases with implant age. Silicone or saline implants may rupture due to trauma, wear and tear, or other factors.
Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture is a condition in which the scar tissue surrounding the breast implant tightens, causing discomfort, distortion of the breast shape, and sometimes pain. Revision surgery may involve removing and replacing the implant and addressing the excess scar tissue to alleviate symptoms.
Changes in Lifestyle or Body
Candidates for breast revision surgery may experience changes in lifestyle or body composition that affect their satisfaction with their augmented breasts. Your body will continue to be affected by age and other changes after breast augmentation. Factors such as weight loss, weight gain, pregnancy, or aging can impact breast appearance, and revision surgery may be sought to restore or adjust the results. Alternatively, they might want to simply want to change the size and shape of their implants because their preferences have changed over time.
Implant Position Issues
Implants can shift over time, leading to malposition issues. This can result in asymmetry, bottoming out (implants descend too low), or double bubble deformity (a second crease appears under the breast). If your implants have dramatically changed position on the chest wall, you may be a good candidate. Revision surgery can correct these positioning problems and restore a more natural and harmonious appearance.
Desire for a Different Implant Type
Some individuals may have concerns about the type of implants they initially chose, such as wanting to switch from saline to silicone or vice versa. Breast revision surgery allows for a change in implant type to better suit the patient's preferences and address any concerns.
Other Medical Complications
In some cases, medical complications may arise after the initial breast augmentation surgery, making breast revision necessary. It’s not normal to experience persistent pain or irritation long after your initial breast augmentation surgery, so it’s best to have it checked out if you’re experiencing these symptoms.
Finished With Breastfeeding and Having Children
When you’re considering the timing for breast implant revision, don’t forget to think about factors such as breastfeeding and whether you intend to have more children. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision but many plastic surgeons will recommend postponing breast implant revision until you’re finished having children.
Who are the ideal candidates for breast revisions? Contact Nashville Plastic Surgery Institute to find out. Call 615.932.7700 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation if you are ready to learn more about surgeries to enhance the shape or size of the breasts.