Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery can restore a woman’s confidence, femininity and natural beauty. Despite state-of-the-art techniques and implants, over time you may require additional surgery. You may be dissatisfied with the size of your breasts after surgery and wish you would have gone bigger or smaller. Alternately, your implants may rupture, migrate, deflate, or form a capsule around them, which can lead to hardening and pain of the breast.
Pregnancy can also lead to changes in the breast shape and amount of breast tissue, which may then lead to a less than ideal appearance of your breast implants.
Regardless of the reason, it’s important that you are pleased with the results of your breast augmentation. Dr. Franziska Huettner, the premier, double board-certified plastic surgeon, can help you create a look you love by removing, resizing, or replacing your current breast implants.
Dr. Huettner can help reveal beauty in a way that no other surgeon can with skill, precision and a caring, personal touch. You want to ensure that your breast implant revision surgery is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon to create beautiful results.
What is Breast Implant Revision Surgery?
Breast implant revision surgery is often done to change the size or shape of existing implants, correct aesthetic concerns such as asymmetry, or simply remove the breast implant altogether. While breast implants are made to be long-lasting, they do not have an indefinite lifespan. Many women can enjoy their implants for 10 years or more, but many doctors recommend regular check-ups to monitor breast health and implant integrity.
The FDA recommends that women receive an MRI three years after the initial placement of implants, followed by every two years after. If you’re not experiencing any problems with your implants, no additional surgery is usually necessary. Women that do have issues with their implants, however, may need to have them removed or replaced with an implant revision surgery.
This surgery tends to be more complicated than the original augmentation procedure, requiring a surgeon with knowledge and experience to craft beautiful, shapely breasts. Dr. Franziska Huettner is double board-certified, focusing on quality over quantity to provide patients with incomparable results in a world-class setting.
Am I a candidate for breast implant revision?
Women with breast implants elect to have an implant revision surgery for a variety of reasons, which may include:
Ruptured or deflated implants
Breast implants are not a lifetime medical device, and may eventually need to be replaced due to leakage, deflation or a rupture. While breast implants have been proven to be safe when used to augment or reconstruct the breast, the FDA reports that one in five women may need revision surgery after 10 years. Proper monitoring, self-exams and open communication with your surgeon can help you determine if implant removal or replacement is necessary.
Bottoming out
This describes implants that have descended from their original placement, making them appear too low. A skilled surgeon such as Dr. Huettner can correct this problem by repositioning and securing your existing implants.
Capsular contracture
As a part of the body’s natural healing process, a scar capsule forms around your breast implants after surgery. Capsular contracture refers to the tightening and hardening of this scar tissue, which can squeeze the implant and cause discomfort. Breast implant revision surgery can remove the scar capsule and replace the affected implant to relieve symptoms and achieve beautiful, long-lasting results.
Implant resizing
Occasionally, a patient decides that they want to increase or decrease the size of their breast implants. This must be done by a skilled, accomplished surgeon to avoid loose skin and ptosis, or breast sagging. Implant downsizing is often done in conjunction with a breast lift procedure to manage loose skin and ensure flattering results with a feminine silhouette.
Rippling
Sometimes, breast implants may be visible beneath the surface of the skin, creating a rippling effect. Rippling is typically seen in patients without a lot of natural breast tissue and can be avoided by selecting a qualified surgeon who can recommend the right implants for your body. For patients who already experience rippling, this condition can be treated with revision surgery that aims to reduce visible implant folds or wrinkles.
Double bubble
A descriptive term, “double bubble” refers to an implant that shifts below the inframammary fold, creating an indentation or bulge along the lower pole of the breast. This may happen due to a technical error, capsular contracture or natural causes such as pregnancy, weight gain or aging.
Symmastia
Symmastia occurs when breast pockets merge. Patients with symmastia will have implants that have shifted to the center of the chest and little to no cleavage. Symmastia can be difficult to correct, requiring the skill, precision and experience of a surgeon such as Dr. Huettner.
Asymmetry or malpositioning
After a breast augmentation, your body needs time to adjust to your implants. For a few weeks after your surgery, your breasts may appear asymmetrical. This usually resolves as your breasts heal, but if it doesn’t you may need revision surgery to correct the asymmetry.
Breast implant revision surgery overview
Breast implant revision surgery is a challenging, complex procedure that requires patience, precision and skill. Botched breast surgeries or technical errors can alter the breast tissue in dramatic ways, increasing the level of difficulty. Therefore, choosing an experienced surgeon is paramount to the success of your procedure.
Dr. Franziska Huettner is a double board-certified cosmetic surgeon with doctorates in both medicine and medical science. Combined with her experience in performing breast procedures, Dr. Huettner is uniquely qualified to perform this intricate surgery. In addition to her credentials and expertise, Dr. Huettner is committed to helping her exclusive patients look and feel beautiful by providing client-focused care that promises a personalized experience.
A breast implant revision is done under general anesthesia and will generally last from one to three hours. During your breast implant revision surgery, Dr. Huettner may reshape the breast implant pocket, remove or replace existing implants, or perform a concurrent breast lift to improve the overall appearance of your breasts. Due to complications or issues from your previous augmentation, breast tissue may be altered and skin laxity may be lost, which presents unique challenges for each revision surgery. These factors must be addressed as they will affect the outcome of the procedure and the final appearance of your breasts. If a new implant is being placed, specific anatomical knowledge is necessary to ensure a pleasing aesthetic result. Dr. Franziska Huettner recognizes that each situation is unique and will thoroughly discuss your concerns, needs and aesthetic goals during your consultation.
Choosing new breast implants
Some patients may opt for an implant revision surgery to change the size, type, or texture of their existing implants. Patients with silicone implants, for example, may want to switch to saline due to concerns of breast implant illnesses or to change the overall appearance of their breasts. Women with saline implants may desire a more natural feel or want to switch to silicone implants because of signs of rippling. Women now have more options than ever regarding their breast implants, which may prompt some women to consider a revision surgery if they are dissatisfied with their original breast augmentation or if their personal preferences shift over time. Your decisions will depend on your personal aesthetic goals, but some of the implant options available include:
Saline or silicone
Firm or soft
High or low profile
Once the implants are situated correctly, she will complete the procedure by carefully closing the incisions with small sutures to reduce scarring. Breast augmentation surgery usually takes a couple of hours, and after you’ve spent some time in recovery, you can be driven home, where you will need someone to stay with you and help you for at least the first 24 hours.
SIENTRA®, a leading breast implant manufacturer, provides both saline and silicone implants and proudly sells only to board-certified plastic surgeons. SIENTRA ®’s Silicone implants mimic natural breast tissue and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to create a beautiful profile for any body type. These implants are available in both smooth and textured shells and are filled with SIENTRA ®’s uniquely formulated cohesive gel, creating a uniform look and natural feel. SIENTRA® also offers saline implants filled with a sterile saltwater solution, providing a slightly firmer feel than silicone gel implants. SIENTRA® consistently provides surgeons with safe, innovative breast enhancement solutions backed by scientific and clinical studies so that you can feel confident in your decisions.
Which implant to place is ultimately the patient’s choice, but Dr. Franziska Huettner continues almost exclusively to recommend smooth implants. With the increasing awareness of BIA-ALCL, which has only been reported with the use of textured implants, using smooth implants takes one risk factor out of the equation.
During your consultation, Dr. Huettner will develop a surgical plan and make recommendations unique and specific for you based on a physical exam combined with your aesthetic goals.
Once the implants are situated correctly, she will complete the procedure by carefully closing the incisions with small sutures to reduce scarring. Breast augmentation surgery usually takes a couple of hours, and after you’ve spent some time in recovery, you can be driven home, where you will need someone to stay with you and help you for at least the first 24 hours.
The results of breast implant revision surgery
A breast implant revision surgery can address and resolve any concerns or complications that some patients experience after their original breast augmentation. Revision surgery can correct asymmetry, relieve capsular contracture, and reduce rippling, sagging or other aesthetic issues. Women who have an implant revision can expect complementary contours, improved breast shape and a more youthful profile. When possible, Dr. Huettner will follow the incisions from your previous surgery to eliminate unnecessary scarring.
Although every surgery comes with certain risks, an experienced surgeon operating in a facility that adheres to strict standards of safety can help to minimize the occurrence of complications. Dr. Franziska Huettner and her staff provide the highest quality of comprehensive care to ensure that each patient receives safe, beautiful results.
What to expect after surgery
Immediately following your procedure, you may experience some pain, swelling or tenderness that will improve as your body heals. The typical recovery for this surgery is about six weeks, during which time you may be prescribed medications to manage symptoms and advised to avoid strenuous activity. Dr. Huettner takes great care to provide each patient with a highly individualized surgical and recovery plan to reduce the risk of complications and ensure unparalleled results. Due to a selective patient base, you will enjoy Dr. Huettner’s exclusive, unwavering attention and a direct line of communication should any questions or concerns arise throughout the recovery process.
If you’re not satisfied with the appearance of your current breast implants and want a change, Dr. Franziska Huettner can help you achieve the shapely, feminine breasts you’ve always wanted. With a long list of credentials and the experience to match, her exclusive patients boast unrivaled customized care and beautiful, artistic results.
We are here to help
If you’re tired of the pain and discomfort caused by your breasts and want a change, Dr. Franziska Huettner can help you achieve the shapely, feminine and pain-free breasts you deserve. As a double board-certified surgeon with the credentials and experience to match, her exclusive patients receive highly personalized care and beautiful, artistic results that can only be achieved with skill and finesse.
Get in touch with one of her offices today:
