Breast Revision Surgery (Implant Replacement or Removal)

This cosmetic surgery either removes an implant that is not working or functioning correctly or is no longer desired. Breast revision surgery may also be performed to change implant size or go from an implant to a fat transfer (or vice versa). There are other common situations where a revision procedure is needed:

• Asymmetry: Asymmetry occurs when the implants look out of balance. This may be due to a wrong size implant or drooping on one side or another condition that may cause asymmetry. A physical examination would need to be made to determine what is leading to the asymmetry, then surgery would be implemented to correct the problem, and finally, a new set of breast implants would be positioned to create a balanced result.
• Bottoming Out: Bottoming out is a condition that happens if one or both implants drop too low or “bottom out.” In many cases, this is a case of a positioning error from the original surgery. To modify this, a different placement strategy may be needed. For some patients, tissue grafting will be needed, in addition to a surgically formed pocket to fit the new implant. For most women, going to a silicone implant can solve this problem.
• Breast Size: There are times a secondary breast surgery is as straightforward as receiving a smaller or larger sized breast implant. With the original surgery, you may have opted to go too big or too small. A new breast implant size can be placed to reach the desired goal.
• Capsular Contracture: This is the term used for scar tissue hardening, which occurs when the delicate tissue that surrounds the implant becomes hard and thickens. Although many implant surgeries do create some internal scarring, most individuals will never realize this. In some cases, the hardening tissue could interfere with implant placement, which may change the breast shape and deliver an undesirable outcome. Capsular contracture surgery to clean up and remove scarring would be recommended.
• Implant Rippling: This condition occurs when you see obvious rippling and wrinkles beneath the skin. This deformity generally forms around the edge of the implant. Rippling is generally found in women who are of low body weight. Often, this condition can be corrected by simply switching to a silicone breast implant.
• Implant Rupture: Although this is rarely seen, breast implant rupture may occur. When a saline breast implant ruptures, the implant will deflate almost immediately. Because of this, a visible change will occur. On the other hand, if the implant is silicone-based and ruptures, it is only seen via an MRI. Either way, when a rupture happens, secondary surgery will be needed.
• Symmastia: This condition happens when breast implants are positioned too closely together. Most often, this is because the breast implant used was the incorrect width, shape, or size. A revision treatment will repair this problem by using an implant that works with your frame and looks balanced.
• Animation Deformity: This abnormality occurs when the implant is placed under the muscle resulting in visual displacement of the implant as the muscle contracts. It is most commonly encountered with breast reconstruction. Exchange to a pre-pectoral (over the muscle) revision can eliminate this abnormality.