Breast Revision Surgery at a Glance
- Procedure: Outpatient under general anesthesia
- Length of Surgery: 1-3 hours
- Recovery: 1-2 weeks
- Final Results: 3 months to 1 year
- Cost: $9,000 to $12,000
More and more women choose to undergo breast augmentation every year. This surgery has become one of the most popular elective cosmetic procedures in the country and throughout the world. However, since breast augmentation remains a complex surgery, even a carefully planned and well-executed procedure may result in an unsatisfactory outcome. Fortunately, the majority of these cases can be corrected with breast implant revision.
What Is Breast Revision Surgery?
Breast revision surgery is a procedure to replace or remove breast implants from a previous breast augmentation. Typically, breast implant revision is performed to exchange the implant material or size; improve physical changes that may have occurred from aging, hormones, or weight fluctuations; or correct implant-related concerns or irregularities.
Breast implant revision is similar to breast augmentation, but it is generally more complex than the initial procedure because the anatomy of the breast has already been altered from its natural state. Thinning breast tissue, scar tissue, implant malposition, rupture, and other concerns can all make revision surgery especially intricate. For this reason, it is important to choose a qualified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, and breast implant revision.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgeries, including secondary breast augmentations, Dr. Neil J. Zemmel is considered by many as one of the best breast surgeons in Virginia. Dr. Zemmel and his team use advanced surgical techniques and practice great care to provide patients with safe, optimal results designed to meet each patient’s individual aesthetic goals.
Should I Get Breast Implant Revision?
Breast implant revision may be recommended if an individual has had a previous breast augmentation and would like to exchange or remove their current breast implants. Individuals should be in good overall health without medical concerns that may interfere with recovery after surgery. Ideal breast implant revision candidates are typically seeking to:
- Change the size of their breast implants
- Switch to another type of implant material (silicone or saline)
- Correct the implant position or shape
- Replace leaking or ruptured implants
- Alleviate capsular contracture (abnormal hardening of scar tissue around the implant)
- Improve asymmetry or visible rippling
- Remove the implants without replacement
To properly diagnose all issues, Dr. Zemmel and his team will perform a physical exam and review all relevant medical records and breast history (including implant cards) for the individual. This helps to ensure appropriate candidacy and determine a comprehensive treatment plan to achieve the best results for each patient.
What Does the Breast Implant Revision Consultation Involve?
During your breast revision consultation, Dr. Zemmel will listen to your reasons for wanting revision surgery, discuss the details of your past breast procedure(s), and perform a physical examination. In addition to this exam, precise measurements of the breast and chest wall, and custom-tailored implant selection, Dr. Zemmel will evaluate your medical records directly pertaining to your previous breast augmentation to design a treatment plan that can respond to your reason for seeking breast implant revision. Additional imaging tests may be needed to detect if a rupture has occurred.
When planning breast implant revision, your surgeon will take into account changes that have occurred to the breasts over time. They include thinning of the breast skin and breast tissue, thickened breast implant capsules (capsular contracture), breast shape abnormalities and sagging (ptosis), implant rupture, and scar tissue. Dr. Zemmel will also use any paperwork or other information you may have from the initial procedure to plan your implant revision.
With all of this information, Dr. Zemmel will be able to plan the specifics of your revision procedure, helping you understand what the process will entail and the type of results you can realistically expect.
What Does Breast Revision Surgery Involve?
Breast implant revisions for both implant removal and implant exchange are usually performed as outpatient procedures under general anesthesia. Depending on the particulars of the treatment plan, breast revision surgery usually takes between one and three hours to complete.
In many cases, the existing breast implant can be removed, replaced, or repositioned through the original incisions, although additional incisions may sometimes be necessary. Dr. Zemmel works meticulously to minimize scarring through advanced surgical methods for the most discreet results possible.
Because breast revision can address a broad range of concerns, the exact details of surgery vary greatly from patient to patient. Depending on your needs, the procedure may involve implant exchange, implant removal, capsulotomy or capsulectomy, pocket repair or pocket reassignment, reinforcement of the breast pocket, or even a breast lift if excess skin or sagging is present. Some patients also choose to switch implant types during revision, such as from saline to silicone.
Since breast implant revision can be a highly customizable and complex procedure, individuals should only trust an expertly trained, skilled, and certified plastic surgeon who understands the unique challenges of revision surgery. Dr. Zemmel always performs surgery with the highest standards of patient care in accredited facilities with board-certified anesthesiologists.
What Are the Risks of Breast Revision Surgery?
The general risks of breast implant revision surgery are similar to those of breast augmentation and may include bleeding, infection, implant rupture, scarring, asymmetry, and changes in nipple sensation. Revisional surgery is inherently more complex and less predictable than primary breast augmentation because scar tissue, tissue thinning, pre-existing asymmetry, and other structural changes may already be present.
Patients should also understand that bra cup size cannot be guaranteed, and some degree of natural asymmetry may remain even after revision. In patients with existing capsular contracture, there may also be an elevated risk of recurrence. When revision is performed to improve rippling or contour issues, significant improvement is often possible, though complete correction may not always be achievable.
Dr. Zemmel’s top priority is patient safety. He and the team at Richmond Aesthetic Surgery take every precaution to maximize safety before, during, and after surgery, and patients receive detailed pre-operative and post-operative instructions designed to help reduce the risk of complications.
What Can I Expect in My Breast Revision Recovery?
It is normal to experience some degree of tenderness, bruising, and swelling at the treatment sites, which should gradually fade over time. Recovery is often comparable to the initial breast augmentation—sometimes quicker and with less discomfort—however, each individual heals at their own pace.
The majority of patients are able to return to work and light activities within one to two weeks, but should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for several weeks or longer, depending on the details of their surgery, to allow the body ample time to heal. Dr. Zemmel and his team will monitor your progress closely during follow-up visits and remain available for any questions or concerns that arise during recovery.
Though improvements are visible early on, final results may continue to develop over the course of several months as swelling resolves and the tissues settle. To promote a safe and effective recovery, it is essential to carefully follow all post-operative instructions provided by Dr. Zemmel.
What Will My Breast Revision Scars Look Like?
The scars from breast implant revision surgery are typically very similar to those from a primary breast augmentation because the procedure can often be performed through existing incisions. If you have prominent scarring from your initial breast augmentation, this may sometimes be improved during your revision procedure as well.
During your consultation, Dr. Zemmel can provide a more realistic idea of what to expect based on your previous incisions, skin quality, and surgical plan.
Schedule Your Breast Revision Consultation
To learn more about breast augmentation revision, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zemmel, please contact us today. We welcome individuals from all areas and have patients throughout the United States and abroad.
