What is a Breast Revision?

A breast revision is a secondary surgical procedure on the breasts to correct or improve the appearance of the breasts for breast augmentation patients. Breast revision surgery may be needed after a breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction. Breast augmentation revision surgery may be needed to correct breast implant problems post-primary breast augmentation procedure. This includes problems such as implant malposition, implant rupture, or desire for larger saline or silicone implants. Breast revision surgery may also be needed post-breast lift or breast reduction surgery to improve breasts that have relaxed over time, to improve asymmetries, or to further improve the contour of the breasts. The expectation after a breast revision is to have improved contour, shape, and symmetry.

Who is a Candidate?

Whether your primary procedure was a breast augmentation surgery, breast lift, or breast reduction, if the primary procedure resulted in an unsatisfactory outcome, you may be a candidate for a breast revision. Revision surgery can correct changes that resulted over time or from an initial unsatisfactory outcome of a breast procedure.

The Procedure

The key to a successful breast revision surgery is understanding the patient’s expectations and tailoring a surgical plan to match. Breast revision surgery will be unique to the individual patient’s concerns. In patients who have implant mispositioning issues, the surgical plan may include placement of an internal support system, removal of capsular contracture, or even surgical tightening of the implant pocket. All patients should be aware that if implants are ever ruptured, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sweat will recommend that the breast implants be replaced. Patients who have concerns with their prior breast lift or reduction may also have a surgical plan that includes surgical support placed to help with the sagging of the breast tissue or have a more straightforward plan to only have excess tissue removed to improve the breast shape. Every patient is unique, and everyone’s surgical plan will be tailored to their desired outcome. Due to the intricacies and attention to detail needed to perform a breast implant revision surgery, these cases are more complicated.

The Results

After a breast revision procedure, patients can expect a recovery period like their initial breast procedure. Swelling, redness, and general discomfort can be expected and will be managed with pain medication and activity restrictions. The general recovery period can range from 4-6 weeks. To learn more about breast revision surgery procedures and to determine the best course of treatment for your case, contact our office and schedule your consultation with Dr. Sweat.