Update Your Breasts with Revision Breast Augmentation

It is important to know that breast implants do not last forever. Most patients need to have their implants replaced after about 10 years or sooner if they encounter a complication or desire a different appearance. Dr. Anne Nickodem can fine-tune breast implants that she personally placed or she can also update breasts that were implanted by a different surgeon. If there is any reason why you are unhappy with your breasts, revision breast augmentation is a way to update your appearance.

Dr. Nickodem will discuss the various options and help you choose the right ones for your unique body frame, anatomy and lifestyle.

Reasons for Revision Breast Augmentation

• Desire for larger breasts
• Desire to have a different implant material (saline or silicone)
• Desire to lift sagging breasts
• Pain due to capsular contracture (tugging scar tissue)
• Implant rupture
• Dissatisfaction with the placement of the breasts

Breast Implant Options

Similar to the initial breast implant procedure, when you undergo revision surgery you will have many of the same decisions to make. Dr. Nickodem will discuss the various options and help you choose the right ones for your unique body frame, anatomy and lifestyle.

• Breast Implant Type: saline, silicone gel or gummy bear implants
• Breast Implant Size: silicone breast implants are pre-filled/pre-sized; saline implants are filled with the saline solution after they have been inserted into the body to achieve the desired size

• Breast Implant Shape: round or teardrop
• Breast Implant Texture: smooth or textured
• Incision Area: under the arm (transaxillary), around the areola (periareolar), inside the navel (transumbilical/TUBA) or in the under breast crease (inframmary)
• Breast Implant Placement: under the pectoral muscles and underlying muscles (submuscular), under the upper pectoral muscles but above the chest muscles (subpectoral) or above the pectoral and chest muscles and beneath the breast tissue (subglandular)

What to Expect with Revision Breast Augmentation

Revision breast augmentation surgery is performed under general anesthesia or sedation. With the incision made, Dr. Nickodem removes the old implants and inserts the new implant in the pre-decided area on the chest (under/over the muscles). If a saline implant is chosen, the proper amount of saline solution will be injected into the implant to achieve the desired size.

The incisions are then closed and the breasts will be wrapped in a bandage to minimize swelling and promote healing.

Breast Implant Recovery

Expect to rest at home for at least 48 hours. Your breasts may remain sore and swollen for several weeks; wearing a special support bra will aid in healing. Avoid strenuous activity and smoking until your breasts are completely healed.

Breast Implant Risks

Potential risks of any breast implant surgery include: 

• Implant rupture, causing the saline or silicone gel to leak into the body
• Infection
• Capsular contracture which occurs when the scar tissue around the implant begins to contract, squeezing the breast
• Loss of breast sensitivity
• Rippling or indentations in the breast
• Interference with mammogram readings/results
• General dissatisfaction with the size or appearance of the breasts

These risks can be minimized by choosing an experienced and well-trained surgeon and having regular exams to monitor any changes in your breasts.

To learn more about revision breast augmentation surgery in Annadale, VA, and to find out if you could benefit from this popular procedure, contact us to schedule a Cosmetic Consultation.