720-765-7214Breast Implant Revision: Signs You May Need a Revision and What Options Exist
Common Signs That Indicate You May Need Breast Revision Surgery
Recognizing when something isn’t quite right with your breast implants is crucial for maintaining both your health and confidence. While some changes are normal as your body ages, certain symptoms warrant immediate attention and possible revision.
1. Changes in Breast Shape and Breast Appearance
One of the most noticeable indicators that you might need breast revision is a significant change in how your breasts look. Over time, implants can shift position, leading to asymmetry or an unnatural appearance. You might notice that one breast sits higher than the other, or that the implants have moved too far to the sides of your chest. Some women experience what’s called “bottoming out,” where the implant drops below the natural breast crease, creating an unnaturally low breast position.
Rippling or wrinkling of the implant may also become visible, particularly in women with thin breast tissue or those who chose saline implants. These visual changes can affect your confidence and may indicate that the implant pocket has stretched or that the implant itself has begun to deteriorate.
2. Persistent Breast Pain or Discomfort
While some tenderness after the initial surgery is normal, ongoing or new breast pain should never be ignored. Unexplained breast pain can signal several issues, including implant rupture, infection, or capsular contracture. The pain might be sharp and localized, or it could manifest as a dull ache throughout the breast.
Some women also experience chronic tightness or a pulling sensation, which can interfere with daily activities and sleep. If over-the-counter pain relief doesn’t help or if the pain is progressively worsening, it’s essential to consult with your plastic surgeon about potential revision options.
3. Capsular Contracture: A Leading Reason for Revision
Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue that naturally forms around the implant becomes too tight, squeezing the implant and causing the breast to feel hard, appear distorted, or become painful. This complication is graded on a scale from I to IV, with Grade IV being the most severe, involving hard breasts that are painful and visibly distorted.
This condition can develop at any time after breast augmentation, though it most commonly appears within the first few years. The exact cause isn’t always clear, but factors like infection, hematoma, or genetic predisposition can increase risk. Capsular contracture doesn’t resolve on its own and typically requires surgical intervention to remove or release the tight capsule and potentially replace the implant.Understanding Your Breast Revision Options
When you and your surgeon determine that revision surgery is necessary, you’ll have several options to consider based on your specific situation and goals.
Implant Replacement to Address Breast Size and Style Preferences
Many women choose breast revision as an opportunity to change their breast size, either going larger or smaller than their original implants. Your body, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences may have evolved since your initial surgery, and revision offers a chance to achieve results that better align with your current vision.
You can also switch implant types during revision. For instance, you might transition from saline to silicone implants for a more natural feel, or choose newer-generation implants, such as “gummy bear” implants, which maintain their shape better and have lower rupture rates. Some women opt for textured versus smooth implants, or decide to change from above-muscle to below-muscle placement for improved results.
Implant Removal
Some women decide they no longer want implants at all. Explantation – the complete removal of breast implants – has become increasingly popular, particularly among women experiencing unexplained health symptoms they attribute to their implants or those simply ready to return to their natural breast tissue.
When removing implants without replacement, you have options to improve breast appearance:
- Breast lift (mastopexy): Addresses sagging and restores a more youthful breast position
- Fat transfer: Uses your own fat to add subtle volume and improve contour
- Combination procedures: Lifts can be combined with fat grafting for optimal results
Your surgeon will assess your skin elasticity, breast tissue quality, and desired outcome to recommend the best approach.
Corrective Procedures for Complications
Sometimes breast revision focuses specifically on correcting complications rather than changing breast augmentation results. Capsulectomy involves removing the scar tissue capsule around the implant, either partially or completely, often necessary when treating capsular contracture.
Pocket revision may be performed to reposition implants that have shifted, creating a new pocket or modifying the existing one for better implant placement. Your surgeon might also address issues such as a double-bubble deformity, in which the implant sits below the natural breast fold, creating two distinct curves, or symmastia, in which implants meet in the middle of the chest.Timing Considerations for Breast Revision
The timing of your revision surgery depends largely on the reason for the surgery. Emergency situations like implant rupture, severe infection, or rapidly progressing capsular contracture require prompt attention. However, if you’re considering revision solely for aesthetic preferences, you have more flexibility in scheduling.
Most surgeons recommend waiting at least six months to a year after your initial breast augmentation before considering elective revision, allowing your breasts to fully settle and heal. This waiting period also ensures that any dissatisfaction isn’t just part of the normal adjustment process.
Keep in mind that breast implants aren’t lifetime devices. Even without complications, most surgeons advise patients to anticipate the need for future revision surgery as implants age. Saline and silicone implants typically last 10-20 years, though some may need replacement sooner.Preparing for Your Consultation
When you meet with your plastic surgeon to discuss breast revision, come prepared with specific concerns and goals. Document any symptoms you’ve experienced, including when they started and how they’ve progressed. Bring photos of your breasts over time if changes have been gradual, as this can help your surgeon assess the situation.
Be honest about what you hope to achieve with revision surgery. Whether you’re addressing medical complications or pursuing different aesthetic results, clear communication ensures you and your surgeon are aligned on expectations. Ask about the surgical approach, recovery timeline, potential risks, and realistic outcomes based on your unique anatomy and circumstances.Dr. Nesiba Can Address Your Aesthetic Preferences
Whether you’re experiencing complications with one or both implants or simply want to achieve different results than your initial augmentation, Dr. Nesiba brings extensive experience in plastic surgery to help you reach your goals. He can address issues ranging from implant malposition to changing your implant type, whether you originally chose silicone or saline implants. Dr. Nesiba takes the time to understand your unique concerns and aesthetic preferences, creating a personalized revision plan that delivers natural-looking results while prioritizing your safety and satisfaction.
Final Thoughts on Breast Augmentation Surgery
Recognizing breast implant revision signs early is essential for maintaining your health and achieving the aesthetic results you deserve. Whether you’re dealing with concerns about breast implant illness, noticing that scar tissue hardens around your implant, experiencing a condition called implant displacement, where implants shift from their original position, or observing issues with the implant shell itself, seeking professional evaluation is crucial. Sometimes the capsule that forms around the implant tightens over time, or natural aging and lifestyle changes mean it’s simply time to replace implants for a refreshed appearance.
Whatever your reason for considering revision, understanding your symptoms and options empowers you to make confident decisions about your breast health and work with an experienced surgeon to achieve results that make you feel like yourself again.
