How Soon Can You Do a Breast Revision?

If you have a problem with your breast implants or want to make adjustments to the original procedure, breast revision surgery may be worth considering. 

It’s essential to have as much information as possible before having breast revision. Below are critical details, including how soon you can do a breast revision. 

Why Would You Want Breast Revision Surgery? 

Everyone is different, but there are several common reasons some patients want breast augmentation revision or breast implant removal. 

Different Size 

Before breast augmentation, your surgeon probably had you try on sizers to get a feel for what various breast implant sizes feel and look like. But sometimes after a few months, patients decide they want something different. 

In many cases, patients may realize that they want a larger size after breast augmentation. 

Whether you want bigger or smaller breasts, breast revision can give you the desired size for where you are in life right now. 

Implant Problem

All saline and silicone implants used in the US are FDA-approved for safety. However, an implant can rupture, and it will need replacing. 

A ruptured saline implant will look smaller than the other, so you’ll know something is wrong. But a silicone implant may not show obvious signs of rupture; it is essential to have an MRI every two or three years. 

The implant should be replaced in either case, but don’t worry: Neither a ruptured silicone nor saline implant is a health risk. 

Correct Rippling

Thin patients are more likely to have saline breast implants. But saline implants may develop small waves on the breast surface. If you have this problem, it may be best to change to silicone implants; silicone has a much lower rate of rippling issues. 

Also, your surgeon may perform fat grafting to put more soft tissue over the implant edges. Fat grafting involves liposuction of the abdomen or legs, then the fat is processed and injected into the breasts. 

Adjust Breast Position

It may turn out that the implants are placed too high or low. Your surgeon can make you look more natural and attractive by repositioning the implants. 

It may also be a good idea to change the type or size of the implants during the repositioning process. 

Weight Loss Or Gain

Many surgeons say you should be near your ideal body weight before having breast augmentation, a breast lift, a tummy tuck, or liposuction. However, weight changes can affect your results, and more surgery may be necessary. 

Gaining or losing weight can change the appearance and proportions of your augmented breasts. If this happens, your surgeon can perform revision surgery to make your breasts more in harmony with your shape and size. 

Capsular Contracture

After breast augmentation, the body develops a scar tissue capsule around the implants to wall it off from the body. This is entirely normal and painless. 

However, in a few cases, the scar tissue capsule may contract, distorting the breast implant. This creates a visual imbalance and may be painful. 

Some mild capsular contracture cases don’t necessarily require breast revision surgery. But if it’s severe enough, your surgeon can replace the implant. 

Patients who have capsular contracture are more likely to experience it again. So the surgeon may put special materials in the implant pocket, such as an acellular dermal matrix to reduce future issues. 

When Can You Do A Breast Revision? 

Breast augmentation complications, such as implant rupture or capsular contracture, can happen within a few weeks or months of the procedure. If a problem arises soon after the procedure, your surgeon will tell you if they can do a breast revision right away. 

However, it is generally recommended that patients wait at least six months after breast augmentation to have revision surgery. Waiting lets the body heal from the first procedure and allows the swelling and other effects to resolve. 

Waiting at least six months also gives you time to decide if you want to have a breast revision. The most common reason women wish to revision surgery is they simply desire larger implants. 

It’s possible to have larger implants, but waiting several months gives you time to decide if it’s worth going through another surgery and recovery to put in new implants. 

After about six months, you can have breast surgery revision, whether it’s a year or 10 years later. 

Breast Revision Risks

There are risks to consider with breast revision surgery as with any surgery. In addition to general surgical and anesthesia risks, patients having breast revision may be affected by psychological concerns that stem from the idea that the first breast augmentation ‘failed.’ 

Also, the surgeon may have difficulty achieving your desired result with the second surgery because of scar tissue from the first breast surgery. 

If you experienced capsular contracture, the problem is more likely to recur than in a patient who never had the issue. 

Patients who are considering breast revision surgery have many options. However, a follow-up procedure has potential risks and complications, so it’s vital to select a skilled, board-certified surgeon for breast revision. 

Request A Breast Revision Consultation 

Interested in a breast revision in San Antonio? Dr. Scott J Farber or Dr. Amita Shah of Hill Country Plastic Surgery can help. They will consult with you about your interest in breast revision and help decide if it’s a good fit for your aesthetic and personal goals. 

References

Breast Implant Revision. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-implant-revision

Breast Augmentation Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-augmentation/about/pac-20393178

Breast Implant Revision Results. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-implant-revision/results