Breast Revision Choices

Women choose breast revision for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s a matter of preference: a patient simply does not like the look or feel of implants, or the goals she was hoping to achieve were not met. Other times the initial surgery may have gone wrong, or there were side effects that were not sufficiently anticipated by the surgeon.

Experienced San Diego-area plastic surgeon Dr. Carlos Chacon of Divino Plastic Surgery is skilled at revision techniques for such issues as implants that have ruptured; implants whose outlines are visible or have developed a “rippling” texture; and capsular contracture, a condition that develops when scar tissue forms around an implant, resulting in hardening of the affected area, pain, and the potential for the implant to rupture.

Dr. Chacon also performs revision for breasts that look asymmetrical. This may have been caused by implant malposition, and was immediately obvious after surgery. It can also be the result of implants that were properly placed but have moved from their original location. This condition is known as symmastia when it results in the appearance of the breasts being joined in the middle of the chest.

Removing or Changing Implants

Breast revision is also appropriate for women who decide that implants did not meet their aesthetic expectations, or felt less natural than they had hoped.

When implants are removed, the pocket that held the implant must be refilled with your natural tissue to restore an aesthetically pleasing profile. This involves a procedure that is similar to breast lift. When large implants are removed, the skin may have a stretched look; in addition, the breasts may appear to sag or have a deflated appearance. Dr. Chacon is skilled in reshaping and lifting breast tissue to ensure a look that is as natural as before the initial surgery.

The surgery will be more complex than the original placement, as scar tissue forms after most surgical procedures. If you choose smaller implants, the area surrounding the new implant will need to be tightened, and skin may need to be lifted. An increase in breast size will require the surgical creation of a larger pocket to accommodate the bigger implant.

A patient may also choose to try a different type of implant. Some women decide that saline implants feel less natural than they expected, and opt for surgery to swap saline for a silicone gel variety. Other women may have health or safety concerns about silicone gel implants, and choose saline for their breast revision procedure.

To learn more about breast revision, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Carlos Chacon at his San Diego-area office in Bonita by contacting Divino Plastic Surgery today.