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The FDA found that 37% of all breast revisions in the U.S. are actually performed on patients who desire larger implants. Maybe you started with a smaller implant size to see how you felt about breast augmentation, and you loved it; breast revision gives you the opportunity to increase or decrease your bust size to your liking.
Dr. Franklin D. Richards, M.D., Dr. A. Dean Jabs, M.D., and Keshav Magge, M.D. are all experts in breast revision surgery, taking all the necessary precautions to ensure safety, effectiveness, and optimal results.
What is Breast Revision?
Breast revision surgery can be performed for a number of reasons, such as routine replacement, a change in implant size, or complication correction.
Breast revision is the surgical removal and replacement of your silicone or saline breast implants for an even exchange or a different implant altogether. No matter the case, any of our 3 experienced breast revision surgeons will perform a personalized technique that provides you with your specific aesthetic desires.
Recovery:
1-2 Weeks
Cost:
Starts at $8k
Results:
3 Months
Ideal Candidates
Ideal candidates for breast revision surgery are women who are in good health, not pregnant or nursing, and either:
- Experienced a complication
- Desire an aesthetic change
- Wish to improve the look of your implants that were placed from a previous breast implant surgery
- Gained or lost weight that causes an obvious change in the appearance of your breasts
- Have second thoughts and wish to remove them altogether
Breast augmentation surgery is a very personal choice, and should only be considered when this is understood.
It is important to understand what breast revision surgery can and cannot provide. Breast revision will give you an up-to-date aesthetic change; it will not however, guarantee a boost in confidence. Breast revision or breast augmentation in general is reserved for those who are doing it because they want to, not because they think it leads to an automatic rise in self-confidence and not to please anyone else. Any of our surgeons will gladly discuss this with you during a private consultation, and see if breast augmentation or breast revision surgery is right for you.
Motivation for Breast Revision
Change in Implant Size
Some patients may realize they desire a larger size after their breast augmentation, while others desire a smaller bust. For larger implants, your surgeon will enlarge the pocket to accommodate the size. For smaller implants, the pocket size is reduced to make sure the implant is secure in place.
Implant Rippling
Implant rippling is a term used when the edges of your implants are visible and/or felt through the skin’s surface. Saline or silicone implants can potentially move around inside the pocket and wrinkle if not placed properly. Another cause of rippling can be when breast tissue surrounding the implant changes with time due to factors such as thinning skin or hormonal fluctuations. When this happens, new implant placement is necessary for aesthetic improvement.
Implant Malposition
In some cases, breast implants may shift overtime and become lopsided or asymmetric. Alternatively, previous breast augmentation surgeons may have poorly inserted your implants, causing them to look too close together or too far apart. This is why it is so important to get breast work done by an experienced surgeon to avoid this unfortunate result.
Implant Rupture
Though unlikely, implants can rupture. The chance of rupture increases with time. When an implant ruptures the symptoms can be very obvious, such as a deflated breast or change in shape, but there can also be no symptoms at all. This is why it is important to come in every few years for an examination.
Capsular Contracture
When an implant is inserted into the breasts, the body naturally responds to this foreign object by forming a collagen fiber capsule around it. This very normal occurrence is the body’s way of creating a protective layer between the implant and the rest of the body. In rare cases, the collagen fibers shrink, tightening the capsule around the implant; this is called capsular contracture.
Implant Removal
If a patient desires implant removal, often times just removing the implant is enough, and your breast skin will bounce back to its original size and shape. However, in the instances of very large implants, a breast lift may need to be performed along with the removal surgery.
Aesthetic Displeasure
You are not stuck with your bust size. If you are unhappy with the look of your breasts, breast revision surgery gives you the opportunity to change anything you’d like about your breasts simply by choosing different implants. This can include changing the type, size, and/or shape, as well as adding ancillary procedures such as a breast lift.
Consultation
During your private consultation with one of our 3 expert breast revision surgeons, you will discuss your cosmetic goals, whether completely different or the same as your original results. Your surgeon will perform an examination, and taking into consideration your body type, skin type, your current size and shape, and your cosmetic goals, he will offer his opinions on what he thinks would suit you best. Please mention present or past medical conditions, allergies, and routine medications as these can affect the decision. Any questions will gladly be answered at this time in full detail. Our goal at CSA is to make you feel as comfortable with your decision as possible.
Preparation
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol for the month before your surgery.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medications and herbal supplements.
- Get an up-to-date mammogram before undergoing your breast revision surgery.
- Drink plenty of water; hydration is key for optimal results.
- Place all necessary recovery items at counter level as your arm range will be very limited.
- Arrange for someone to pick you up from surgery; you will not be able to drive yourself. It is highly recommended to have this person stay overnight with you.
- Make sure you have enough clothing items that you wrap around you. You cannot wear anything that you have to pull over your head.
Procedure
Breast revision surgery typically takes 1-3 hours depending on the extent of the individual case. It’s performed as an outpatient procedure in our operating suite and often without general anesthesia. No matter the reasoning, majority of the time breast revision incisions will be made in the same spot as your initial breast augmentation to decrease the amount of scarring. Once the incisions are created, the old implants are extracted, and either the same kind or different size/type implants are inserted. You may also decide to remain without implants.
Recovery
Recovery is fairly similar to your initial breast augmentation surgery. After your surgeon completes your breast revision surgery, he will wrap bandaging around your breasts and/or place you in a surgical support bra. Drainage tubes may be placed in the incisions to catch any excess fluids; you will receive instructions on how to care for them. Your surgeon will closely monitor your recovery and healing progress to ensure everything is going smoothly. Slight discomfort, swelling, or bruising is normal and will subside with time. Pain medication can be prescribed to help keep you as comfortable as possible.
For the first week you will need to sleep on your back with your head elevated to help reduce swelling. You will be able to return to work and normal daily activities in about 7-10 days, but this number changes case by case. Do not go in saunas or hot tubs for 3 weeks following your surgery. Strenuous physical activity can be resumed 4-6 weeks after your surgery. Generally it takes a couple of months for the implants to settle into their position in your breast.
Scheduling a Breast Revision Consultation
If you have been considering breast revision surgery then its time to meet with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons during a one on one consultation at our Bethesda Maryland office. Our office is located just 11 minutes from Potomac and 10 minutes away from North Bethesda & Rockville. Our patient coordinators would be happy to help you find a consultation that works best with your schedule!
Keshav Magge, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Honored as a Top Doctor by Bethesda Magazine and Washingtonian in both 2024 and 2025, Dr. Magge is recognized for his exceptional surgical skill, artistic precision, and patient-centered approach. A leading plastic surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland, he completed a fellowship in Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he gained advanced expertise in facial rejuvenation and aesthetic surgery innovations.
Meet Dr. Magge
A. Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Jabs is an award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeon recognized nationally for his expertise in creating natural-looking results and his warm, compassionate approach to patient care. Trained in NY at Columbia University, he served in the US Army and has special expertise in facial rejuvenation. He has over 35 years of experience and has consistently been voted a top plastic surgeon by Washingtonian and Bethesda magazine.
Meet Dr. Jabs
Franklin D. Richards, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richards has been recognized as a Top Doctor by several prestigious organizations, including Castle Connolly, Consumers’ Research Council of America, and Washingtonian magazine. A leading plastic surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Richards is the past Chief of Plastic Surgery at Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital. His expertise is in achieving natural results in facelift and eyelid surgery, with additional interests in cosmetic surgery of the breast and abdomen.
Meet Dr. Richards
Complementary Procedures
Breast Lift
The breast lift is a popular procedure for women who want to address signs of aging or post-pregnancy changes to their bodies. During the procedure, excess skin and breast tissue are removed, and the remaining tissues are carefully lifted to achieve rounded, youthful-looking breasts.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation enhances the size of the breasts using saline or silicone implants. Our board-certified plastic surgeons use artistry and advanced techniques to create symmetrical breasts that are proportionate to each patient’s physique.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery can relieve pain from heavy breasts and make movement and exercise more comfortable. It also helps achieve a proportionate shape for improved confidence and ease in everyday life.
The staff was amazing and made me feel comfortable every step of the way.
Get it DONE! The staff was amazing and made me feel comfortable every step of the way. My results are amazing, and I conquered the biggest hurdle in this journey - picking the correct Doctor and team. No regrets. Thank you, CSA.
– verified patient
I have been going to CSA for over a year, and it’s always such a nice visit.
I have been going to CSA for over a year, and it's always such a nice visit. Super professional, and I always feel taken care of.
– verified patient
I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND COSMETIC SURGERY ASSOCIATES.
I had such an amazing overall experience at Cosmetic Surgery Associates. The staff is very pleasant. I had my first invasive cosmetic procedure done back in September, and the final results are amazing. I LOVE IT. I'm so much happier with my body now. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Prior to my surgery, I had been thinking about this for a while, and I'm so happy I made the decision to go through with it. I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND COSMETIC SURGERY ASSOCIATES. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
– verified patient
Their equipment, skill level, and expertise are superb.
This practice is truly outstanding! Their equipment, skill level, and expertise are superb. The staff is extremely friendly, kind, and professional; they make you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in the door.
– verified patient
Every single person in their office makes you feel so welcomed and comfortable the moment you step into the office.
Every single person in their office makes you feel so welcomed and comfortable the moment you step into the office. The day of my surgery, the staff took amazing care of me and went above and beyond to calm my nerves, talk me through it, and made it such a great experience. I highly recommend this office. I can't thank them enough for all that they did for me!
– verified patient
My experience there was beyond 5 stars.
My experience there was beyond 5 stars. From taking the appointment to post surgery. Even now after 10 months, the follow ups are outstanding. The whole staff took great care of me and the results are what I expected. Thank you for everything. Don't think twice and use this clinic if you want best in class service and the best result.
– verified patient
All of the staff were highly knowledgeable, and I received consistent direction and guidance from all of the staff.
Literally every staff member I interacted with from the front desk down to the surgical team gave stellar customer service and truly made me feel comfortable. My sister even felt the warm energy from the staff after meeting them the morning of surgery. All of the staff were highly knowledgeable, and I received consistent direction and guidance from all of the staff. I would highly recommend Cosmetic Surgery Associates to anyone seeking a cosmetic procedure!
– verified patient
I can’t stress enough how great this whole experience has been.
I can't stress enough how great this whole experience has been. Not only did he make me feel comfortable in my body, but 10x more confident. His work is truly beautiful. 100% recommend!!
– verified patient
I feel very comfortable and look better in my clothes.
The staff are professional, caring, and pay attention to detail. Almost 10 months post op. The results exceeded my expectations. I feel very comfortable and look better in my clothes. I'm so grateful. I highly recommend this practice.
– verified patient
The staff was wonderful, respectful, accommodating, and very knowledgeable!
The staff was wonderful, respectful, accommodating, and very knowledgeable! The facility was very clean and one of the staff members helped me work the coffee machine for a fresh cup of coffee!
– verified patient
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