Year after year, breast augmentation remains the top-requested cosmetic surgery for women due to its ability to safely and naturally enhance the size and volume of a woman’s breasts through the use of synthetic implant devices. However, while these implants are designed to be safe, durable and long-lasting, they are not intended to be permanent fixtures.
Though some women will enjoy the results of their breast implants for decades without issue, the majority of women with breast implants will need to have their implants removed or replaced within the first 10 to 15 years of their augmentation procedure. Despite their durability and longevity, breast implants are not immune from the natural changes that occur to the breasts’ appearance over time, nor are they immune from causing complications or illness themselves. If your augmented breasts are causing you cosmetic concerns, health-related concerns or a combination of the two, Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates offers breast revision surgery to patients who are no longer satisfied with their breast implants.
Breast revision surgery, often referred to as breast implant revision, is a surgical cosmetic procedure intended to either removed or replace the breast implants inserted during your initial breast augmentation procedure. There are many reasons why a woman may wish to revise the appearance of her augmented breasts— from changes in aesthetic preferences to health-related concerns. But ultimately, breast revision surgery is performed when a patient is no longer satisfied with the look or feel of their current implant devices.
If you have breast implants, it is more than likely that you will need breast revision surgery at some point during your lifetime. Regardless of your reasons, it is essential to maintain a close relationship with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss potential revision options if any changes or complications occur. Dr. Hisham Seify of Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates has unparalleled compassion for his patients and their breast implant concerns, as well as the artistry and skill to deliver breast revision results that look and feel great on the body once again.
Each breast revision procedure is highly personal and will be tailored specifically to your unique concerns and goals for the outcome of your procedure. Your breast revision may be indicated for personal reasons, such as restoring changes to the appearance of your breasts’ size, shape or symmetry that have occurred over time. You may no longer be satisfied with the look or feel of the implants you selected initially and wish to update the implant texture or implant material. Or, like the majority of breast revision patients, you may simply want to go bigger.
Breast implant revision may also be indicated for medical purposes or complications with your existing implants. The issues that can arise with breast implants, such as capsular contracture, implant malposition, implant rippling and implant ruptures and leaks can make your revision procedure a medical necessity rather than an elective procedure. If you are experiencing any of the following concerns, breast revision surgery may be right for you:
Both saline and silicone implants can experience leakage or ruptures of the outer shell, which is a common instance that would necessitate an implant removal or exchange. This is typically because of simple “wear and tear” of the implant shell as time progresses. When a saline implant leaks, the outcome is a deflated appearance to the breast, which requires an implant replacement to restore a normal appearance. Although saline is physically harmless, the emotional toll of a saline deflation can be devastating to the patient due to its immediately noticeable deflation.
Silicone implant ruptures are less physically apparent than a saline rupture and are frequently referred to as “silent ruptures” as they are usually undetectable without an MRI scan. However, once detected, ruptured silicone implants also need to be exchanged for the best physical and emotional outcomes for the patient, as there is potential for the silicone to migrate throughout the body if left unaddressed. If you have concerns about a potential leak or rupture, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Seify to discuss your current symptoms and options.
Dr. Hisham Seify is a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon based in Newport Beach, serving the greater Orange County area. With an impressive background that includes advanced fellowships and prestigious awards, Dr. Seify is committed to delivering the highest standards of patient care. His approach emphasizes attentive listening to patient concerns and offering customized surgical solutions with meticulous attention to detail. Specializing in both aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, Dr. Seify strives to make each patient’s experience positive and transformative.
Breast implant illness is a catch-all term that refers to a handful of diseases or symptoms experienced by women that are thought to be associated with their breast implants. These illnesses and symptoms may include:
It is believed that breast implant illness often develops as a response to the presence of silicone in the breast. Ruptures, leakages and textured implants are also thought to contribute to breast implant illness. Among the more significant concerns of breast implant illness is a rare type of cancer associated with breast implants, BIA-ALCL. While the exact causes of BIA-ALCL are not yet fully understood, the FDA and global health officials have linked this cancer primarily to both silicone and saline macro-textured and polyurethane breast implants. This correlation has led to the recall of Allergan BioCell textured breast implant products both from the U.S. market and around the world, as these models of textured implants have been attributed to 84 percent of the reported BIA-ALCL cases to date.
As it is not yet known whether developing BIA-ALCL is limited to specific models of textured implants or all textured implants, the FDA does not currently recommend the removal of these implants for women who are not displaying any symptoms. However, it is essential that you consult with Dr. Seify if any changes to your breasts occur after your augmentation to receive a proper diagnosis. Both healthcare providers and patients are encouraged to monitor for symptoms of BIA-ALCL, such as breast pain and swelling that is consistent and long-lasting.
As with your previous breast augmentation surgery, the recovery process for your breast revision surgery may be a similar experience to that of your last procedure or a more involved process depending on the nature of your revision. Immediately after your surgery, you will need a trusted individual to drive you home and provide assistance with your everyday tasks for the first few days of your recovery. A compression bra will have to be worn over the breasts to help reduce residual swelling and aid in the healing process.
While significant complications are rare, patients can expect to experience swelling, stiffness and discomfort for one to two weeks following their operation. Most patients can return to work within 7 to 10 days of their procedure. Heavy lifting or strenuous activities that involve the use of the arms or chest muscles or raise your heart rate will be to be cleared by Dr. Seify before they may be resumed. In carefully following Dr. Seify’s aftercare instructions and wearing the appropriate compression garments, you can ensure you attain the best possible outcome from your breast revision procedure.
Breast implant revisions are often more complicated than the initial augmentation procedure, and like any surgical procedure, they are accompanied by potential risks and complications that should not be taken lightly. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with the skill and expertise required for this procedure is of the utmost importance to avoid results that could be less than desirable or lead to future breast revision procedures down the road. During your initial consultation at Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates, Dr. Seify will carefully examine the current state of your breast implants and make an expert recommendation as to which surgical procedures will be the most beneficial to you and your goals.
As no two breast revision surgeries will be exactly alike, the surgical approach for your revision procedure will vary by the techniques used in your initial breast augmentation surgery and whether you are having your implants removed or replaced. Your revision surgery may be similar to your breast augmentation procedure or more extensive, depending on your aesthetic or medical concerns. If you are merely swapping out implants, the procedure may be relatively straightforward; however, addressing complications like capsular contracture or relocating the breast implant pocket placement can be a far more complicated surgery. When possible, Dr. Seify will perform the en bloc removal technique, which is when the surgeon removes the scar tissue, or capsule, and implants at the same time to prevent any silicone or bacteria from leaking into the patient’s body during surgery by keeping the implant and capsule intact.
The breast revision procedure itself is performed on an outpatient basis at one of our comfortable certified surgical centers and will utilize local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on the extent of your surgery. Breast revisions can take between one to four hours to complete depending on the concern being addressed and whether any additional cosmetic procedures are a part of your surgical plan. In some cases, Dr. Seify can use the same incision lines from your previous breast augmentation procedure to avoid any new scars; however, this will be determined by the new implants you select if they are being replaced and is not always possible. Once the old implants have been removed or replaced and complications have been addressed, Dr. Seify will close your incisions and provide you with detailed post-operative instructions for your recovery process.
Breast revision surgery is also an ideal opportunity to elect for additional breast procedures to further enhance your final results. Women whose augmented breasts have begun to droop or sag over time may opt for a mastopexy, or breast lift, to be performed in conjunction with their breast revision procedure to achieve more youthful and uplifted breasts after their implant removal or exchange. Multiple breast procedures performed concurrently provides patients with the benefits of a single operation and recovery period so you can get back to your day-to-day routine faster with the beautiful curves you desire.
The improvements provided by your breast revision surgery will be immediately apparent with your breasts appearing more shapely, voluminous and proportional with your figure. While most residual side effects will subside after about two weeks, swelling in the breasts may obscure the final results of your revision for weeks or even months as your new implants settle into position. Once the breasts have fully settled, they will start to look and feel softer and more natural inside of your body.
The results of your breast revision surgery are designed to be long-lasting; however, as with you original breast augmentation procedure, your breasts will still be subject to changes in appearance due to pregnancy, weight fluctuations or the natural aging process. While your exchanged breast implants can last indefinitely, they are also still susceptible to unwanted complications. For this reason, it is crucial to keep in touch with Dr. Seify regularly to ensure the integrity of your implants is maintained. Follow-up appointments after your breast revision procedure will be required after one week, two weeks, six weeks and three months after your revision procedure, but you should contact Dr. Seify immediately if you have any concerns.
If you are no longer completely thrilled with the results of a prior breast augmentation or you are experiencing uncomfortable complications as a result of your current breast implants, it may be time to consider if breast revision surgery is right for you. To learn more about breast revision surgery and the options available to you, contact the Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates office today at (949) 251-1502 to schedule your in-person consultation.
*The information about Breast Revision was reviewed by Dr. Hisham M. Seify. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.
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