What is Breast Implant Revision by Dr Turner?
Breast Implant Revision surgery encompasses the removal and/or replacement of breast implants from a previous surgery. This surgery usually involves utilising more modern, cohesive implants, as well as creating a new breast pocket for the implant. This surgical procedure offers patients the opportunity to modify the size or contour of their implants while addressing any complications related to the initial breast augmentation procedure.
Some patients may also want their implants removed or replaced because they are concerned about potential health issues that may be related to an implant rupture or older, textured implants. If you would like more information on this topic, you can learn more in our recent blog ‘Patient Safety Advisory – Breast Implant Removal and Capsulectomy’.
Breast implant revision surgery aims to address any concerns the patient may have with their existing implants. While most modern breast implants have a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer, it’s important to understand that they may need to be replaced at some point. For most patients, this may occur after 10-20 years, prompting the need for breast implant revision surgery. At this point, patients may choose to remove their implants entirely, undergo a breast lift without implants, or opt for a similar-sized, updated implant and capsule.
Options for Breast Implant Replacement
Dr Turner provides a comprehensive range of breast implant revision procedures, including breast implant removal, implant replacement, and a combination of implant removal with breast lift or fat grafting to the breast. Each approach is tailored to address your specific concerns.
Common Reasons for Breast Implant Revision Surgery
1. Breast implant size change – Breast implants replacement
Going Larger
While it is possible to change the size of your implants with revision surgery, it is often helpful to consider what specific aspects of your current look you would like to change.
Would you like more cleavage?
A higher profile implant will help to create more cleavage and upper breast fullness without changing the implant width or height. This is often referred to as increasing your upper-pole fullness, and sometimes depending on your situation and surgical goals, this can be achieved with fat grafting.
Would you prefer more lateral breast tissue?
Changing the width of your implants can help accentuate your shoulders, waist, and hips, without creating a full upper-pole.
Going Smaller
If a substantial reduction in size is sought, it may be necessary to complement the process with a breast lift procedure, which addresses the excess skin that has stretched due to the presence of larger implants.
2. Common Breast Implant Complications
Breast Implant Rupture
If the shell of a breast implant ruptures, the implant may deflate or deform which will require revision breast implant surgery. With the rupture of saline implants, there is an obvious decrease in the size of the breast, however, with silicone implants, this is more difficult to detect.
Diagnosis of silicone implant rupture requires an ultrasound to determine the integrity of the implant shell (fold defects) and to look for the presence of silicone that may have leaked outside the breast implant.
Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture continues to be the primary complication after breast augmentation, with occurrences reported as early as three months post-surgery and as delayed as 10 to 20 years later. The development of capsular contracture can lead to noticeable changes in the breasts, including hardness, altered shape, and potential discomfort or pain.
Capsular contracture requires revision surgery to remove the abnormal capsule. This procedure is called a capsulectomy. In patients who undergo multiple breast implant revision surgeries for capsular contracture, the overlying soft tissue can become increasingly thinner and result in more visibility of the implant, with the risk of palpability and rippling. This can often be addressed by the addition of fat grafting to the breast envelope at the time of a breast implant revision procedure.
3. Other Breast Implant Complications
Double Bubble Deformity
Double bubble deformity is a static deformity and occurs when the implant settles below the natural breast fold creating a crease on the lower part of the breast implant. Many surgical techniques can be implemented to alleviate double bubble deformity depending on the underlying cause.
Breast Implant Malposition
Breast implants may shift upward, downward, inward, or outward (toward the armpit). As part of breast augmentation surgery, Dr Turner creates a pocket for the implant to avoid implant displacement and malposition.
Wide Cleavage
Lateral displacement occurs when breast implants shift towards the armpit resulting in loss of cleavage definition. Although it is natural for your breasts to drift toward your armpits when you are lying down, implants should not remain in this position when you are seated or standing upright.
Breast Implant Rippling
Rippling refers to the visible or palpable wrinkling or waviness that can occur on the surface of a breast implant. It is most commonly observed in saline-filled implants but can also occur with silicone gel-filled implants. Rippling can be seen or felt through the skin and may be more noticeable in certain areas of the breast, such as the sides or upper pole. The most common reason this occurs is due to having thin tissues above the implant, which can often be settled with fat grafting, or changing your implant type.
Suitable Candidates for Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Suitable candidates for breast implant revision surgery are looking to:
- Change the appearance, size, or shape of their current implants
- Either have larger or smaller breast implants
- Address concerns about the current condition of their implants
- Address medical issues or symptoms related to their current implants
In addition, suitable candidates for the procedure should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations.
Why Choose Dr Turner?
Dr Turner takes the time to address your questions and any concerns you may have. He understands the importance of confidentiality that’s why he maintains a private and discreet environment during your visits.
From your initial consultation onwards, Dr Turner provides specific instructions and guidance. Recognising that each patient is unique, Dr Turner provides a personalised evaluation and develops a customised procedure plan tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
