Breast Revision Surgery in Reston, VA

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what is Breast Revision Surgery?

Women who undergo breast augmentation often love their results, but some may choose to change their implants later in life based on size, after pregnancy, or for other reasons. Our surgeons perform hundreds of breast augmentations per year and are often consulted to give a second opinion after a patient has already had surgery somewhere else and was unhappy with her breast augmentation result. 

In some cases, women may decide to have their implants removed to return to their pre-surgery size. In other instances, women may opt for a different implant size for a more dramatic or subtle result. Our plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery have years of experience and expert training. Call our Reston, VA office today to schedule a consultation to learn how breast revision surgery can help you. 

do i need breast revision surgery?

Breast revision surgery may be needed due to a breast augmentation procedure that did not turn out perfectly, an implant that has scar tissue, or for a simple change of aesthetics. Women decide to have this procedure for a number of different reasons, including:

A desire to have a different breast size

After having breast implants for several years, some women decided to change the size of their implants to smaller or larger ones. This may be a personal aesthetic preference to shape, type of implant, texture of the implant. It may also be necessary as a woman’s weight fluctuates with age or changes after pregnancy.

The removal of breast implants

Some women desire to have their breast implants removed all together, as they no longer wish to have them or if their breasts have naturally grown after childbirth or menopause. 

Implant rupture

Saline and silicone breast implants can both rupture. If this happens, our plastic surgeons will recommend the implant be replaced, and based on the age of the implants, they may also recommend the other non-ruptured implant also be changed. This is a great opportunity to change any other issues the patient has with the breast such as a desire to change the size of the breast or have a more lifted appearance.

Double bubble

A double bubble refers to a breast implant that has gone below the natural fold of the breast, creating two breast folds. One of these is the natural breast crease and one is the lower border of the implant. This can be a result of too large an implant being placed, lax breast folds pre-op or after weight loss, or aggressive dissection at the time of implant placement. The correction for this typically involves changing the implant and re-securing the fold with special sutures or mesh. 

Scarring or capsular contracture

Every breast implant placed has a thin capsule surrounding it. On rare occasion, this capsule, which is made of scar tissue, can thicken and become hard. Medications can sometimes be used to treat an early capsular contracture, but a late contracture that has been present for years may require removal of the implant and surrounding capsule, and placing a new breast implant. 

Breast rippling

When a breast implant develops a ripple or a wrinkle within itself, it sometimes can be seen under the skin around the outside of the breast of the patient. This is more prone in very thin patients with saline implants that are not under the muscle. Options for revision include fat grafting to the breast to conceal the ripple, changing the implant to a sub-muscular plane, changing to a more firm implant such as a cohesive gel, using a special mesh to help support the implant, or a combination of the above-described options.  

Preparing for Breast Revision Surgery

Recovery Time

1-6 Weeks

Starting Cost

From: $0

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how does breast revision work?

Breast revision surgery is usually less painful than the initial breast augmentation surgery, but it depends on the surgical case and what is being addressed. For women who are getting a smaller size or a removal, a breast lift may be necessary to correct loose skin. For other patients who have scar tissue, rippling, double bubble, or an implant rupture, a more involved procedure may be performed to prevent a recurrence. Our plastic surgeons will address the issue at hand and resolve the problem with a realistic outcome discussed prior to treatment. Patients should keep in mind that the more difficult the procedure, the longer the recovery will be.

how long is recovery from breast revision?

Breast revision patients typically take one week off work and can expect most bruising to resolve in the first few weeks. Patients should limit strenuous exercise, but still get up and move around to promote healing and blood circulation during the first week. Most patients are back in the gym and recovered by 6 weeks and are often extremely happy with their breast revision results. Final photographs are taken around 3 months after surgery. 

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Achieve the Look you want

If you are not happy with your current size, shape, texture, or look of your current implants, please contact us today. If your implants are ten years or older, you may want to have a consultation to discuss your breast health as well. We want all of our patients to be pleased with their breast augmentation. At a private consultation, we will answer all questions and concerns (even if our plastic surgeons did not perform the first surgery). Please schedule a consultation today with our front office staff.

*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.