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Breast Revision

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

What Is Breast Revision Surgery

Unfortunately, breast implants do not come with a lifetime guarantee, and in some cases, a secondary breast revision surgery may need to be performed at a later date. On average, breast implants last approximately ten years; however, this varies among patients depending upon the specifics of each individual’s case. Although a number of different reasons motivate women to undergo breast revisions, according to FDA statistics, 37% of all breast revision surgeries in the United States are performed on women desiring larger implants. At Cosmetic Surgery Associates, located in Bethesda, MD, just 12 miles from Washington DC & 6 miles from Chevy Chase; Dr. Franklin D. Richards, M.D., Dr. A. Dean Jabs, M.D., and Dr. Keshav Magge, M.D. are highly experienced at performing breast revision surgery, and will take all necessary steps to ensure that your surgery is safe, effective, and gives you the results you desire.


Motivation For Breast Revision Surgery

  • Implant deflation or rupture
  • Dissatisfaction with a previous breast surgery due to poor implant placement, or the desire for larger or smaller breast implants.
  • Capsular contracture – a hardening of the breasts, caused by scar tissue around the breast implant. This issue is the most common reason for breast revision surgery, and requires the removal of scar tissue through a capsulectomy or capsulotomy.
  • The desire to change the type of implant (switching from saline to silicone) because of rippling problems, or wanting a softer, more natural-feeling implant.
  • Correction of negative breast changes after substantial weight loss, pregnancy, or age-related aesthetic breast changes
  • Removal of breast implants, which is sometimes performed in conjunction with a breast lift.
  • Create a more natural nipple, and restore breast balance and symmetry after breast reconstruction following mastectomy.

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, 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 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.

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.

FREE GUIDE

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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.

Ancillary Procedures

Breast revision surgery can be performed on its own, or in conjunction with ancillary procedures. If you opt for a smaller implant size or have recently lost a significant amount of weight, you may benefit from a breast lift as well. Breast revision surgery can also be performed as a part of a Mommy Makeover, enhancing both the breasts and the body. Your surgeon can evaluate during your consultation if an ancillary procedure would be beneficial in your case.


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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.

Price

The cost of your breast revision surgery will depend on the extent of your individual procedure. Opting to undergo additional or ancillary procedures will alter the price. 

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!

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Our Plastic Surgery Associates team includes Dr. Franklin Richards, Dr. A. Dean Jabs, and Dr. Keshav Magge. Each of our plastic surgeons is board-certified, and together they have over 60 years of combined experience. Drs. Richards, Jabs, and Magge are all highly qualified in procedures for the face, breast, and body, and pride themselves in providing excellent results through our state-of-the-art, Quad A certified operating centers