Breast Implant Revision

FAQs

• Why might I choose to have breast surgery?

  A breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to increase the size and volume of an individual’s breasts using implants. Breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed today. Our surgeons understand that being happy with the size and shape of your breasts and the contour of your body is very important for your confidence and sense of wellbeing.

  A good candidate for a breast augment often has one or more of the following concerns:

  • Unhappiness with the current breast size.
  • A change in breast size and volume following significant weight loss or after having children and breastfeeding.
  • Asymmetry between the breasts. Nearly all women naturally have a difference in size between their breasts, but for some women this is much more noticeable than others. This can be corrected using implants in both or just one breast.

  A mastopexy (breast lift) is a surgical procedure that lifts breasts that are drooping to an optimal position on the chest wall. A breast lift can be performed in combination with an augmentation using implants if desired.

• How do I choose a size?

  Many women ask us “what cup size will I be after the surgery”, or “I would like to be a c-cup”. The difficulty with thinking in terms of cup-size is that it is a very subjective measure, varying widely between individuals and even bra manufacturers. A 36C in one manufacturers bra can be a 34D in another. This is why we prefer to talk about shape and proportion. Our goal is to have breasts that you are happy with and that fit with your individual body size and shape so that your breasts look proportional to the rest of your body.

  The best ways to understand what you will look like after your surgery is firstly by using Vectra 3-D imaging and simulation and secondly by trying on sizers (see below) with a bra and clothing. We will use both methods during your consultation to ensure the correct implant size is selected for your individual requirements.

• How do I try on Sizers during the consultation?

  As discussed above, cup-size isn’t the best way to understand how your body will look after surgery. During your consultation we will provide you with some different sizers (a variety of trial breast implants) that you can try on with a bra and clothes. This helps you to appreciate how different sized breast implants will look in relation to the rest of your body. When trying sizers there a few different things to consider, such as your body frame, height, weight, and the width of your shoulders and waist. Women who are taller and have a broader chest and shoulders will likely need a bigger implant to achieve a balanced look than a shorter woman with narrow hips and narrow shoulders. Implant sizes refer to the amount of fluid or gel inside the implant. They can be as small as 125cc and go up from there.

  Some important things to remember when considering the best implant size for you:

  • There will not be a size that is the perfect fit, rather there will likely be a range of implant sizes that will work and then it is based on your personal preference.
  • Bigger is not always better and choosing a size that compliments your body size is the best way to prevent you from looking “top heavy” after the procedure.
  • Some larger implants may not fit your skin and our surgeon will advise you on whether a chosen implant is feasible for your individual circumstance.
• How long is the procedure?

  The procedure takes between 1.5 and 2 hours and requires a general anesthetic. The exact procedure will depend on the individual and their specific needs. A small incision is usually made in the crease underneath the breast, (which helps to hide the scar). Sometimes an incision is also made around the areola to move the nipple into a higher position (breast lift/mastopexy). The implant can be placed either under the pectoralis major muscle or on top (a decision made by you and surgeon pre-operatively). Once the optimal position is achieved the opening will be closed. Surgical drains are not used. The sutures (stitches) that are used to close the incisions at the end of the operation are dissolvable and don`t need to be removed.

• What should I be doing before surgery?
  • For smokers, smoking must cease at least 6 weeks prior to surgery and for at least 4 weeks postoperatively.
  • All herbal remedies taken orally must similarly be stopped 6 weeks prior to surgery. Many such herbal remedies have been linked to increased risk of bleeding and many others simply have not been studied well enough to know their effects.
  • No alcohol for 24hrs before your surgery
  • Discuss with your surgeon whether to take any regular prescribed medication the day of surgery
  • Nothing to eat or drink on the day of your surgery from midnight
  • Notify our office if you develop a cold or illness before your surgery
  • Use the chlorhexidine scrubbing brush (provided by our office) when showering on the morning of your surgery
• What is the recovery from surgery like?

  First night after surgery:

  Following surgery, you need to have a caregiver escort you home and stay with you for the first 24-48hrs hours. For patients from out of town we recommend staying in the local area for 3-4 nights after surgery to allow for a post-surgery consultation with the surgeon.

  Support bra:

  You will be provided with a front-fastening support bra before being discharged home. This is worn continuously for 6 weeks. The use of the support bra will help minimize discomfort, protect the wounds and prevents movement of the implant until it has settled into place and all incisions are completely healed. After 4 weeks if you prefer to use a supportive sports bra that is OK. You should not wear an underwire bra for 6 weeks after surgery.

  Dressings:

  At the end of surgery, showerproof dressings are applied that must stay in place until your first post-surgery appointment with the surgeon. If there is some blood or blood/straw colored fluid showing through the dressing this is ok. The dressing can be reinforced with gauze to prevent it from soiling your support bra. These dressings will be removed and replaced at your appointment with the surgeon.

• Will I have pain and sickness after surgery?

  Pain relief:

  Most patients will experience some pain after their procedure, more so in the first few days after your surgery. The severity of pain experienced varies between individuals based on their tolerance for pain and the surgical technique used. Some women feel little to no pain whereas others will have to manage their pain level using prescription painkillers. Prior to and during surgery you will receive a combination of analgesics (painkillers) and local anesthetics to minimize post-surgery pain. Typically the operation causes minimal to modest pain. This pain can be well controlled with tablet analgesics that will be prescribed before discharge from the surgery centre. Some pain medications can cause constipation so please remember to stay well-hydrated and consider a stool softener to help.

  Nausea and sickness:

  Some people find that the anesthetic medication used during surgery can cause them to feel nauseous. You can try taking ginger drinks or Gravol tablets from the pharmacy, but if it persists a prescription for stronger anti-sickness medication can be provided. Even if you are feeling sick it is important to keep taking fluids to prevent dehydration and constipation.

• When will I be able to resume normal activities?

  Showering and bathing:

  Showering can commence the day after surgery as your dressings are showerproof.Do not shower in very hot water, rather use a more moderate water temperature. At the end of the second week it is usually OK to start taking baths, if the surgeon is happy with your healing.

  Exercise:

  Very light regular daily activities are allowed by day 2 after surgery, but these may be sore initially. Depending on the recovery and the first post-operative visit, you can increase your activity level after the first 2 weeks.You should not do any activity that increases your heart rate above 120 beats per minute for the first 4 weeks. It is important to ‘listen’ to your body: if an activity hurts or causes much discomfort then wait longer. Do not participate in any strenuous activity until 6 weeks after your surgery. This includes: heavy lifting/weight lifting, extreme stretching exercises such as yoga, strenuous sporting activities.

  Driving:

  You must not drive for 48 hours after a general anesthetic. Driving can typically begin again 5-7 days post-surgery.

  Sleeping:

  Make sure to sleep on your back and prop yourself up with pillows. This will help facilitate getting in and out of bed. Avoid sleeping on your belly or side for 6 weeks following your procedure.

  Work:

  Return to work depends very much on the individual and the type of work activity you perform. Most individuals can return to work in some capacity 1-week post-surgery.

  Follow-up:

  Follow-up is tailored to the individual case but typically occurs, 1-2 weeks post-surgery, 4-6 weeks, and 3-6 months post surgery.

• Will I have scars?

  Scars:

  Scarring after breast augmentation and mastopexy surgery is permanent. Your surgeon will however place the incision in low visibility areas, typically under the breast fold. If a breast lift is also required there is additional scarring around the areola. We will provide you with a scar-minimizing silicone gel to use after surgery and the surgeon will explain how to gently massage the incision lines to minimize scarring. It is important to not expose your incision lines to the sun for the first 6 months as the sunlight can prevent the scars from fading. If you are tanning then cover your incision lines with a high-factor sunscreen (factor 60 or greater).

  Implant Settling:

  Immediately after your surgery it is very normal for the breasts to feel hard and to sit in a very high position on the chest. Over the course of 6-12 weeks after your surgery your implants will ‘settle’ into the optimal position on your chest.

  Smoking:

  Smoking should be avoided in the first 6 weeks after surgery. Smoking significantly increases the risk of complications such as infection and delayed healing. Even more seriously it can cause skin death (necrosis), including nipple necrosis!

• What are the potential early complications?
  • Hematoma: a collection of blood trapped within the breast affecting 1-2 % of cases.
  • Infection: very rare, less than 1% of cases.
  • Decrease or increase in sensitivity of the nipple. 15% of patients may experience this, typically temporary in nature.
  • Necrosis (loss) of the nipple: a very rare risk of augmentation-mastopexy procedures.
  • Delayed healing: incisions that take several weeks to heal rather than the normal 1-2 weeks. Seen occasionally with augmentation-mastopexy procedures.
  • Asymmetry/Unevenness of the breasts: typically associated with patients who have pre-operative asymmetry.
  • Deep vein thrombosis/Pulmonary embolus: blood clots in the leg and lung respectively.
• What are the potential long-term complications?
  • Implant rupture: 1% of implants per year can rupture
  • Capsular contracture (excess scar tissue around the implant): leads to hardening and discomfort of the breast. 1% of implants per year effected.
  • Rippling of skin around implant (more problematic with large implants)
  • Malposition of implant: implants moving out of their original position (much more common with large implants)
  • ALCL: a rare form of lymphoma associated with textured breast implants affecting up to 1 in 3,000 textured implants. Our surgeons never use textured implants and this complication is listed here in the interests of being comprehensive.
  • Re-operation: approximately 20% of all patients who have had cosmetic breast surgery have a further breast surgery within 10 years of their original surgery. Reasons for re-operation include complications such as capsular contracture, rupture, malposition as well as patient choice e.g. change of implant size, breast lift required as the breast ages and droops.
  • Hypertrophic/keloid scar formation: thick, lumpy, itchy scars. Uncommon.
• Why might someone need a breast implant revision?

  Complications such as implant rupture or leaking, capsular contracture (which is hardening of scar tissue around the implant which can cause pain and a misshapen breast), implant movement downwards or sideways, or unhappiness with the size, shape, or placement of the implants may need a revision breast implant surgery. Aging, weight changes, and pregnancy and/or breastfeeding might also necessitate revisions in order to maintain or enhance the appearance.

• What are the risks and complications associated with breast implant revision surgery?

  Similar to the original implant treatment, breast implant revision surgery has risks and problems such as infection, bleeding, the development of scar tissue (capsular contracture), implant rupture or leaking, asymmetry, changes in breast or nipple feeling, and the potential need for more procedures in the event that issues develop. To make a fully-informed choice, it’s essential to go over these risks with your Pacific Plastic Surgery Group board-certified Plastic Surgeon.

• How does the recovery process for breast implant revision surgery compare to the original breast augmentation?

  The recovery process for breast implant revision surgery is typically very similar to that of the original breast augmentation, and some patients say it is much easier. Patients often experience similar levels of pain, swelling, and bruising. However, it can vary depending on the complexity of the revision: for example, extensive scar tissue removal may result in the recovery being longer and more involved.

• Can I change the type or size of my implants during a revision?

  Absolutely and we do this regularly. Depending on your unique circumstances your Plastic Surgeon may even recommend a change in size to meet your goals.

• What is the cost of a breast implant revision compared to the initial surgery?

  The cost of revision breast surgery that requires a simple exchange of implants is similar to the cost of the original surgery. However if your particular needs are more complex, such as repair of the capsule, or removal of contracture scar tissue the price may be higher to account for the additional time required in the operating room.