Breast Revision in Smithtown, NY
What Is Breast Revision?
What Is Breast Revision?
Many women interested in breast enhancement surgery understand that what they desire requires more than simply making the breasts bigger or smaller.
Breast shape, position, and symmetry are just as important as size, and sometimes, an initial breast surgery doesn’t manage to accomplish a breast contour with the appropriate finesse.
This is where breast revision shines. During a breast revision (secondary breast surgery), Dr. Pincus uses a combination of techniques to sculpt and fine-tune the breasts’ contour.
Breast revision can be performed after breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift surgery, or breast reconstruction.
Why Do I Need Breast Revision?
There are many reasons you may want or need a breast revision. These can range from cosmetic concerns to serious medical complications.
Some of the most common reasons to get breast revision are listed below, but you can learn more about them by reading our blog.
Breast Asymmetry
Breast asymmetry can develop after any cosmetic or reconstructive breast surgery. Breast asymmetry describes a condition where one breast is noticeably a different size or shape than the other.
Several surgical techniques may be implemented depending on the type of asymmetry, including implants, reduction techniques, or a lift on one or both breasts.
Changing Breast Results
While breast surgery results will not revert on their own, life events and lifestyle changes can implant the aesthetic look of the breasts — regardless of breast surgery type. These events may include pregnancy, weight loss or gain, hormonal changes like menopause, or shifting implants (after breast augmentation).
Additionally, breasts will continue to sag with age, which can impact the look of breast lift or breast reduction surgeries.
Implant Complications
Many women who turn to breast revision following breast augmentation do so due to implant complications.
These complications may include:
- Capsular contracture: The scar tissue around your breast implant hardens and becomes painful
- Waterfall deformity: The breast tissue sinks below your implant
- Bottoming out: The breast implant falls to the bottom of the breast
- Double bubble deformity: The breast implant sinks below the breast crease, creating the look of a double breast
- Symmastia: The implants move towards the center of the chest, creating a “uni-boob”
- Lateral displacement: The implants fall to the sides toward the armpits
- Implant rupture: The silicone shell weakens or tears, allowing the inner contents to escape from the shell
These complications require a breast implant removal technique.
Breast Revision After Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction is the process of rebuilding the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Depending on the techniques used (implants, tissue flaps, or both) and the stage of breast cancer recovery at the time of reconstruction, various aesthetic complications could occur following the initial breast reconstruction.
Breast revision can help women who are not satisfied with the results of their breast reconstruction fine-tune their redesigned breasts to better proportion them to their bodies.
Dr. Pincus is a highly experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who has spent many years adjusting breast contours after reconstruction.
How Is Breast Revision Performed?
No two breast revision procedures are the same, and Dr. Pincus will tailor your breast revision to your individual circumstances.
Some patients only need their implants replaced or repositioned, while others want the contours of their breasts to be modified. For this reason, breast revision may include elements of the following:
- Breast implant removal surgery
- Breast implant replacement
- Breast lift
- Breast reduction
- Fat transfer
Implant Removal and Replacement
Several implant complications require the removal and replacement of the breast implant. While the implant size and specifications can be adjusted, Dr. Pincus prefers to use the same implant size and shape but include other breast surgery techniques to manipulate the breasts’ contour. This gives him optimal control over your results.
Your breast implant and replacement may involve one of the following:
Capsulectomy
A capsulectomy is performed to remove the scar tissue surrounding the implant as well as the implant. This is common when dealing with cases of capsular contracture, implant rupture, or other implant complications.
Depending on your needs, you may undergo a total capsulectomy (where all scar tissue is removed) or a partial capsulectomy (where some scar tissue is left).
Dr. Pincus can perform an en bloc capsulectomy where the scar tissue and implant are removed in one piece; however, as this technique is far more invasive, it is not Dr. Pincus’ preferred method.
Capsulorrhaphy
A capsulorrhaphy is performed to reshape the tissue capsule surrounding the implant without removing it. While scar tissue can cause complications, it is not necessarily problematic as it often keeps implants in place. Dr. Pincus may perform this technique as part of your breast revision when the tissue is not posing a threat.
Addition/Subtraction Procedure
Breast revision is performed to fine-tune the breast. This cannot always be accomplished with a single surgical technique.
Therefore, Dr. Pincus has adopted a technique he refers to as an “addition/subtraction” procedure. This practice allows him to craft ideal breasts by adding volume in areas of the breasts where needed, reducing volume in areas where it may not be wanted, and lifting the breasts to appropriate degrees.
For instance, some women want larger breasts with implants; however, they may have too much breast fullness towards the upper pole. Here, a breast implant can be added for volume, and breast reduction can reduce upper-pole fullness.
These cutting-edge breast revision techniques ensure the highest quality of breast surgery results possible.
Breast Lift
Many women choose a breast lift as part of their breast revision to ensure their breast contours match their desires. Dr. Pincus may add a thin biocompatible mesh to help support your breasts during a revision lift or reconstruction. GalaFLEX® or AlloDerm® may be used. The GalaFLEX® scaffold supports, reinforces, and elevates soft tissue, helping to ensure that breast lift results last longer. AlloDerm® regenerative tissue is commonly used during breast reconstruction and breast reconstruction revision procedures to replace some breast tissue and better support an implant.
These help prevent further breast sagging.
Fat Transfer
A fat transfer can help restore volume to the breasts after cosmetic breast surgery or reconstruction without an implant or in addition to an implant. Fat transfer can make your breasts look larger and more natural.
Breast Revision Recovery
Recovery after breast revision will vary depending on the extent of the procedure. However, patients should expect their breast revision to have a similar recovery to their initial breast surgery. In general, this means a recovery time of one to two weeks. Furthermore, patients should avoid vigorous exercise for at least six weeks.
When planning your recovery, think back to what you wish you had known or done before your first breast surgery. That will help you prepare for this one.
Dr. Pincus will provide you with a more accurate description of what you can expect from your procedure during your consultation.
Interested in Breast Revision in Smithtown, NY?
At Pincus Plastic Surgery, we have helped many patients achieve a renewed self-image through breast revision surgery. Contact us today at 631-352-3556 or fill our online form to schedule a consultation.