Breast Revision
For patients who are dissatisfied with the outcome of a previous breast surgery performed by another surgeon, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can improve the results and align them more closely with your expectations. Revision breast surgery can be performed to replace saline implants with silicone implants (or vice versa); increase or decrease implant size; address complications that have arisen from a previous surgery; remove breast implants; correct asymmetry; or give you results that mirror your original cosmetic goals. Our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon can develop a treatment plan to address your concerns and help you gain your breast contours.
- What is Breast Revision?
- Breast Revision Candidates
- Reasons for Breast Revision
- Breast Revision Procedure
- Breast Revision Recovery
- Breast Revision Results
- Breast Revision Scars
- Breast Revision Cost
- Breast Revision Alternatives
What is Breast Revision?
Breast revision is a procedure designed to enhance the results from an original breast augmentation, whether due to complications arising or another plastic surgeon’s failure to achieve your desired outcome. A secondary procedure can also be pursued several years after a patient’s breast enhancement to upgrade their implants or exchange their devices for a bigger/smaller implant size. In some cases, a patient may even wish to remove their breast implants altogether during breast implant removal surgery. In any case, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani is extensively experienced performing the entire spectrum of cosmetic breast procedures and can discuss your goals with you during a consultation.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR BREAST REVISION?
Those who would benefit from breast revision include patients who have been experiencing complications with their breast implants, such as palpable implant edges or hardening of the skin around the breasts. These issues are known as implant rippling and capsular contracture respectively, and can be corrected with breast revision. Women who are dissatisfied with the outcome of their original breast surgery or who did not achieve their initial cosmetic goals may also be good candidates for breast revision. Regardless of your reasons to pursue breast revision, potential candidates should be in good health and maintain realistic expectations for the procedure. All swelling from the previous breast surgery should also be resolved, a process which usually takes six months to one year.
REASONS FOR BREAST REVISION
There are many factors that may contribute to a patient’s decision to pursue breast revision, and your own reasons to consider the procedure will be personal to you. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani has found that a lack of effective communication between a patient and their original surgeon can often contribute to dissatisfaction with initial results, which is why he holds open and honest consultations so patients know what they can expect throughout the treatment process. In most cases, patients undergo a secondary breast procedure for the following reasons:
SALINE TO SILICONE IMPLANT EXCHANGE
Since the FDA’s approval of silicone breast implants in 2006, many women consider exchanging saline implants for silicone to enjoy a more natural feel. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can also change the size and/or shape of the implant, depending on your ultimate goals. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani is one of the nation’s leading voices in breast augmentation with implants, and he has extensive experience in this area of plastic surgery.
CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE
Capsular contracture is a rare occurrence that can sometimes affect women who have breast implants. The condition is characterized by thick scar tissue forming around the implant and causing a feeling of hardness to the breast. Capsular contracture can also have an effect on the breast shape. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can remove as much scar tissue as possible and remove or replace the implant, depending on your goals.
BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL
Breast implant removal is a relatively simple procedure that can often be performed utilizing the original areas of incision for breast augmentation. Patients decide to remove breast implants for a variety of reasons, and implant removal should restore the breasts to their original size. Patients who have had breast implants for long periods of time may experience some degree of loose, drooping skin after the implants have been removed; however, in these instances, a breast lift can be performed to restore firmness and “perkiness” to the breasts.
REMOVAL OF TEXTURED IMPLANTS
In July 2019, the FDA advised a recall of BioCell® textured breast implants made by Allergan® due to recent studies which suggest a correlation between these types of implants and some cases of BIA-ALCL (breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma). Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani has never seen the need to place textured breast implants, therefore the concerns presented by the FDA generally do not apply to his patients. However, some women who have received textured implants from another plastic surgeon may wish to remove their implants altogether for their own peace of mind. With that said, it’s important to note that the FDA does not recommend that all individuals with textured implants remove their implants—the recall requested of Allergan® simply prevents BioCell® textured implants from being placed in the future. Still, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani performs implant removal surgery for Orlando patients who would rather exchange or remove their textured breast implants. For all others with textured implants, the FDA encourages women to be aware of the possible symptoms of BIA-ALCL, namely swelling and pain around the implants.
BIA-ALCL is a very rare condition that affects around 1 in 20,000 people with textured breast implants, according to current literature. To read more about BIA-ALCL and the FDA’s findings on the association between textured implants and BIA-ALCL, please visit our blog, which covers the latest news in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
BREAST IMPLANT DEFLATION
Although rare, breast implant deflation can happen with saline implants, particularly if you have had the implants for a long period of time. Deflation will necessitate removal or replacement, and patients should keep in mind that many breast implants are covered under warranties. In those cases, the cost of replacing deflated saline implants may be able to be defrayed, depending on the age of the implants, the company that manufactured them, and other factors. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani recommends you bring any records you may have of your implants to your initial consultation and our staff will be happy to look into possible warranty coverage.
PREVIOUS BREAST SURGERY
Regardless of the type of breast surgery you have had previously, it does not automatically disqualify you from undergoing another breast surgery. However, revision surgery should only be performed by board-certified surgeons who have experience with breast procedures. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani is one of the most skilled and experienced breast surgeons in the area, prioritizing breast surgery as one of the primary focuses of his practice.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM BREAST REVISION SURGERY?
The details of each breast revision procedure will vary depending on each patient’s goals and the concerns they wish to resolve. Generally speaking, breast revision is performed as an outpatient procedure utilizing general anesthesia. Sometimes, the same incisions as your previous breast surgery can be reused for your revision. Any complications, such as scar tissue formation, will be corrected. For patients who wish to exchange their implants for a different size, shape, or type, the procedure typically lasts one to two hours. If you wish to remove your implants, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani may suggest a breast lift to restore your original breast contours in cases where the skin has become stretched out and inelastic. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will go over every aspect of breast revision during your consultation so you have a thorough understanding of the potential results you can expect to achieve.
What is Recovery From Breast Revision Like?
In most cases, recovery from breast revision should closely mirror the healing process after your initial breast augmentation. However, this depends on the reason for your secondary procedure—if you pursued surgery to remove the capsule of scar tissue around your implants, you may experience slightly more discomfort after your breast revision when compared to patients who do not have to address capsular contracture. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will give you more insight into what can be expected during the recovery period based on your unique treatment plan.
Patients usually return to their daily routines after one to two weeks depending on the nature of their work responsibilities and the type of technique used during their surgery. Vigorous exercise and strenuous activity should be avoided for at least one month. Swelling, bruising, and tenderness are all common reactions immediately after breast revision, and should resolve naturally as your body heals. Oral pain medications will be provided to help you manage discomfort in the meantime. A nutritious diet, plenty of rest, and adherence to Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani’s post-operative instructions are all key to speeding up the recovery process.
What Results Can I Expect From Breast Revision?
Breast revision results are different for each patient, but the goal of each procedure is to improve the outcome of your original surgery with results that look natural. During surgery, your concerns — whether they include correcting rippling, removing hardened scar tissue, or exchanging your implants for a newer model — will be addressed based on the best approach to achieve your goals. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will work with you to determine the most optimal course of action in improving the outcome of your breast augmentation.
Swelling may obscure your new breast contours immediately after breast revision, which is not uncommon after your procedure. It can take approximately six weeks for the breasts to soften, but residual swelling can last 6 to 12 months for some patients. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will give you an idea of what you can expect from your recovery timeline during your consultation.
Will I Have Noticeable Breast Revision Scars?
Scarring after a surgical procedure is inevitable, but breast augmentation and breast revision scars can typically be well-concealed underneath a bra or bikini. The shape and size of scars from breast revision vary depending on the technique utilized during your surgery. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will evaluate what you hope to accomplish and determine the best technique for your needs. Following his aftercare instructions can help ensure your incisions heal as well as possible, increasing the likelihood that your scars will fade and lighten to some degree over time.
How Much Does Breast Revision Cost?
Your personalized quote from breast revision surgery will depend on several factors, including:
- The cost of your replacement implants (if applicable)
- The complexity of your procedure
- Whether additional procedures, such as a breast lift or breast reduction, are necessary to restore your natural breast contours
- The technique used during surgery
These details will be determined during your initial consultation, after which our patient care coordinator can provide you with a unique cost estimate. If you are interested in plastic surgery financing, the short- and long-term plans offered by CareCredit® can allow qualified patients to pay for breast revision in smaller, more manageable installments as opposed to a lump sum. Don’t hesitate to reach out to The Aesthetic Surgery Centre for more information on the cost of breast revision or our accepted payment methods.
Alternatives to Breast Revision
Depending on the nature of your concerns, breast revision may not be the most ideal procedure to achieve your desired results. At the Aesthetic Surgery Centre, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani offers many treatment options to rejuvenate the breast contours. If you’re not currently experiencing a complication with your breast implants, potential alternatives to breast revision may include:
- Breast lift with implants: For some patients, an effective solution may be to undergo breast lift surgery after implant placement. This allows Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani to address sagging or breast ptosis, which implants cannot improve alone.
- Breast implant removal (with or without a breast lift): On the other hand, breast implant removal can also be an option for patients who feel they no longer have a need for their implants. The procedure is designed to remove your implants and any problematic scar tissue, thereby restoring your natural breast contours. Mastopexy is often performed after implant removal to alleviate a stretched look in the breast tissue and rejuvenate the shape of the breasts.
Please contact us to schedule a consultation for revision breast surgery.