Breast Revision in Raleigh, NC

Breast augmentation is one of the most effective cosmetic surgeries in America and yields terrific outcomes in many cases. However, a woman can be unhappy with the results of her breasts and at some point may want breast revision surgery. It is important to note not all revision treatments are due to practitioner error. While there are a few surgeries that do end with an unpleasing outcome, there are women who wish to have a different size implant, while others may have a visible irregularity and would like to have the breast implant revised or taken out all together. In addition, there are some women who must have revision surgery for a particular condition. Raleigh, NC plastic surgeon Dr. Glenn Lyle offers breast revision surgery and gives a thorough exam at Lyle Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics Center so that the right outcome is attained.

If you have any concerns about your breast implants whether medical or aesthetic, please schedule a consultative appointment with Dr. Lyle to go over your needs to help develop your personalized plan for breast revision surgery. Scarring, drooping or sagging, rippling, or unbalanced breasts can be corrected with revision surgery and result in a more normal and healthy outcome. Revision surgery can also help if you are wanting to change size, implant styles, or any other aspect of your breasts.

Breast revision surgery takes out an implant that is not functioning correctly or is no longer wanted. Breast revision surgery may also be performed to change out an implant due to wanting a bigger or smaller size, or going from an implant to a fat transfer (or vice versa). In addition, there are a few other common situations for which a revision surgery is desired or required:

• Implant Rupture
  Even though this is rare, implant rupture can possibly occur. If a saline implant type ruptures, deflation will take place almost immediately. Therefore, a visible change will occur. On the other hand, if the implant is silicone based and does rupture, it is only seen through an MRI. If a rupture happens whether silicone or saline, a revision procedure will be required.
• Capsular Contracture
  This is the term used for scar tissue hardening, which occurs when the delicate tissue around the saline or silicone implant becomes hard and thickens. Although many implant surgeries do result in some internal scar tissue, most women will never see or feel it. In some cases, the scarring could interfere with implant placement, which can change the breast shape and implant functionality and deliver an undesirable outcome. Capsular contracture surgery to remove scarring would be recommended.
• Asymmetry
  Asymmetry occurs when the implant sizes look disproportionate. This could be because the wrong size implant was placed, or because of ptosis on one side, or another condition that may cause asymmetry. A proper diagnosis would need to be made to determine what is leading to the asymmetry, then surgery would be needed to correct the problem, and finally new implants would be positioned to create a symmetrical result.
• Bottoming Out
  Bottoming out is a condition that can happen when one or both breasts "bottom out" too low. Most often this is a case of a positioning error from the first surgery. To modify this, a new placement approach may be needed. In some cases, tissue grafting most likely will be needed, as well as a surgically formed pocket to hold the new implant. For most women, going to a silicone implant usually will solve this problem.
• Symmastia
  Symmastia is a condition that takes place when implants are inserted and placed too close together. In most cases, this has to do with the wrong implant shape and width. A revision treatment will correct this problem by selecting an implant that fits your body type and looks pleasing to the eye.
• Implant Rippling
  This condition occurs when there are obvious rippling and wrinkles beneath the skin. This irregularity generally forms just along the edge of the implant. Rippling is more common in patients who are of low body weight. Often, this condition can be fixed by simply switching to a silicone implant.
• Breast Size
  There are times a secondary breast surgery is as straightforward as receiving a smaller or larger size implant. With the original surgery, you may have opted to go too conservative or gone a bit too large. A new breast implant size can be used to reach the desired outcome. 

Revision breast surgery is performed with general anesthesia. Recovery from a revision surgery varies based upon the revision type wanted or needed. For instance, if a new size is being placed, a breast lift could be needed if smaller-sized implants are used to help remove loose skin. Revision surgery that warrants complex revision techniques will need a longer recovery that could possibly take up to several months. Patients will begin to see their newly revised outcomes once the swelling begins to disappear. The goal following breast revision surgery is to reach a result that is both natural-looking and healthy.

Revision surgery for breast implants is a specialized treatment tailored for your distinct aesthetic goal by plastic surgeon Dr. Glenn Lyle. If you notice a visible defect with your breast implants or desire a different outcome, we welcome you to get in touch with our Raleigh, NC office to make your appointment at Lyle Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics Center. There are so many factors to think about. Dr. Lyle will perform a full physical assessment, create your revision treatment plan, and help set realistic expectations.