Breast Revision Surgery
Breasts can change significantly in shape over time due to gravity, weight fluctuations, hormonal changes, pregnancy and breast feeding. Patients who have undergone breast augmentation with saline or silicone implants are not immune to those changes and will likely need some kind of revision surgery at some point after the initial augmentation. In addition to changes in the natural breast, patients with breast implants can develop changes in the shape of their breasts related to the implant. Firm scar tissue can form around the implant (capsular contracture), implants can rupture and implants can move from their original position, settling too low in the breast. Some patients desire smaller implants as the age and some decide they would like larger ones. Secondary surgeries, or revision breast surgeries, may include breast lift, manipulation of the scar tissue around the implant, implant removal, implant exchange, fat grafting, implant pocket adjustment, moving the implant from on top of the chest muscle to under the muscle (or vice versa).
If there is suspicion of leakage from a silicone implant, an ultrasound and/or MRI may be ordered to evaluate the implant prior to proceeding with surgery.
Recovery from the secondary operation will depend on the type of operation needed to achieve the desired aesthetic result. Dr. La Via will review your previous surgeries in detail and formulate a plan with you to achieve your goal.
