For some women, medical or aesthetic concerns that arise may mean breast implants need to be removed.
Breast implant revision surgery may be required due to medical reasons or be undertaken to address aesthetic concerns.
Once your breast implants are removed, depending on your anatomy and desired outcome, your procedure may include the replacement of your breast implants alone, or in conjunction with a mastopexy.
Breast Implant Revision Before & After
Front – Bilateral Removal & Replacement of implants due to capsular contracture – 495 cc Anatomical Implant
Oblique – Bilateral Removal & Replacement of implants due to capsular contracture – 495 cc Anatomical Implant
Breast implant revision procedure
Breast implant revision surgery may involve removing or replacing breast implants, with or without a breast lift. Details of your breast revision surgery can be discussed during your consultation with Dr Peters as they will depend on your individual needs and goals.
As the details of your procedure will depend on your individual needs, it is best to discuss the specifics of your surgery with Dr Peters during your consultation in Brisbane.
Types of breast implants
If you require a new implant, the type of implant that is best for you will depend on your individual shape and breast surgery goals. Silicone implants are the preferred choice of breast implants in Australia, but saline implants may also be selected. The inner gels of the breast implants are available in different degrees of firmness.
- Silicone implants consist of a silicone outer shell and silicone-gel inner fill. The consistency of silicone reduces the risks of post-procedure leakage risks. Silicone implants are soft and resemble natural breasts more than saline implants.
- Saline implants have a silicone outer shell and are filled with a medical-grade saline solution.
What is capsular contracture?
When a breast implant is placed, scar tissue forms around it to create a capsule. This scar tissue can begin to tighten around the implant and become firm, called capsular contracture. It can cause pain and distortion of the breast, or make the breast rise higher on the chest. Regular breast screening and review as per advice from your doctor is vital for prevention and early identification and management of any possible problems.
The nature of breast implants and the normal changes that can occur within your body over time, such as aging, means that you may need to undergo breast revision surgery to restore your desired results. For any further questions or concerns, book a consultation with Dr Peters where you can discuss your individual needs for breast revision surgery.
Breast implant size
Breast implant sizes are measured in CCs. This is a metric unit of volume with one CC of silicone weighing about one gram. Breast implants are available in a variety of sizes, starting at 125cc up to 700cc. There is no direct correlation between implant size and cup size. Implants will look different on each individual patient, depending on individual features. You can discuss which implant size will best achieve your body goals during your consultation.
Mastopexy
A mastopexy involves removing excess skin to improve the shape of the breasts. Discussing your desired outcome with Dr Peters will enable him to determine, within the context of your anatomy, if a mastopexy should be considered as part of your breast implant revision surgical plan.
Placement of incisions
Depending on the details of the procedure, your original incision can be used again for your breast revision surgery. The procedure to remove or replace breast implants will commonly be performed using the original incision areas. However, some procedures may need additional incisions, such as in the case of needing to adjust nipple and areola positioning.
Possibility of fat-grafting
Breast implants are usually required to achieve desired results; however, fat-grafting may be suitable when addressing symmetry concerns or for smaller volume augmentations. Dr Peters can assess the possibility of fat grafting within the context of your anatomy and desired result during your initial consultation.
Recovery
Details of your recovery including symptoms that you may experience or specific postoperative care instructions that you need to follow will be provided by Dr Peters during your breast implant revision consultation. During your healing process, you may experience some pain, swelling, or a tight sensation around your breasts. Depending on the details of your breast revision surgery, your recovery may be similar to that of your original breast implant procedure
You can discuss any concerns you may have about your recovery during your pre-operative consultation with Dr Peters and a VPS clinic nurse as well as your review appointments post-operatively.
Am I a good candidate for breast implant revision?
You may be suitable for breast implant revision surgery with Dr Peters if you are in good health, are a non-smoker, and have realistic expectations as to what can be achieved with breast revision surgery. You might be a good candidate if you want to address any issues that have occurred following your initial breast implant procedure, if you feel that you should have undergone a breast lift initially, or you wish to remove your implants permanently. You can discuss any further questions or concerns about your individual factors that you feel may influence whether you are suitable for breast revision surgery during your consultation with Dr Peters.
Surgery risks & complications
Every surgery has general risks, in addition to procedure specific risks. The risks associated with breast implant revision surgery will be discussed with you during your consultation with Dr Peters.
Adhering to recovery guidelines can help minimise certain risks and complications. Ensuring that you closely monitor the state and health of your breasts and notifying your doctor of any concerns is the best way to mitigate your risk of adverse outcomes.
You can discuss any concerns that you may have about the possible risks and complications of undergoing revisionary breast surgery in Brisbane with Dr Peters.
Your questions answered Frequently Asked Questions
The first step is to organise a consultation with Dr Peters, where you can discuss your concerns and expectations, ask questions, and learn more about what happens during the procedure.
You will be provided with information about how to best prepare for your specific procedure and post-surgery care requirements by Dr Peters as well as during your consultation with a Valley Plastic Surgery nurse.
We suggest that you prepare an area in your home for you to recover comfortably, with pillows, ice packs, and entertainment. You may also choose to pre-prepare some healthy meals, purchase some comfortable, loose clothing and fill any needed prescriptions before your procedure date.
There is a risk of rupture of every breast implant, which increases as the prosthesis ages. For saline implants, if the implant leaks, the contents will be reabsorbed into the body. If this occurs most women notice a reduction in breast size.
For silicone implants, the gel may remain within the implant shell (intracapsular rupture) or leak into the surrounding area (extracapsular rupture). Some women may experience breast pain or develop lumps surround the implant or change in breast size or shape. In many cases, however, there are no signs or symptoms, and breast imaging is required for a diagnosis.
Regular breast screening and review as per your Specialist Plastic Surgeon’s advice is vital for prevention and early identification and management of any possible problems.
If you are wanting to retain a significant breast volume increase, an implant is usually required. However, fat grafting techniques are becoming more reliable and predictable and can be a suitable alternative to implants for small volume augmentations or specific volume asymmetries that may exist.
Dr Peters can assess the possibility of fat grafting within the context of your anatomy and desired result during your initial consultation if this is an option you are interested in.
Breast Implant Revision Related Procedures
Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift
Breast Reconstruction
Breast Reduction
