Breast Revision Plastic Surgery

Breast Revision 

Breast revision plastic surgery typically refers to a secondary breast implant procedure involving the replacement or removal of breast implants to correct complications that may have occurred after breast augmentation or implant-based breast reconstruction surgery.

Breast revision may also be performed for cosmetic reasons or when the patient wants a change of implant size or shape.

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will determine the patient’s candidacy for breast revision surgery. Patients should preferably choose implant replacement instead of implant removal in order to have a simpler procedure. The Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, led by poignant, adroit, and board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin, provides breast revision surgery to patients in Richmond, Virginia, and surrounding locations in the Mother of Presidents.

Implant Replacement Procedure

Breast implant replacement plastic surgery addresses the needs of a woman who has experienced capsular contracture, causing the implants to lose their shape, position or become damaged, hardened or rippled. In rare cases, implant failure may occur quickly after the primary implant surgery, requiring a revision procedure.

The surgeon will perform breast implant replacement in a similar way to the primary breast augmentation. The first choice of the surgeon will be to use the old incision lines to remove old implants and replace them with new ones. This will avoid any new scarring. But new incisions for customization of breast implant pockets may become necessary if the patient wants to have a different size or shape of implants.

Breast implant replacement may sometimes be performed together with breast lift to create ideal results. A combined procedure will be more appropriate if the patient has used primary implants for several years and aging effects have caused skin laxity and sagging breasts. The replacement surgery is usually performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.

Implant Removal vs. Replacement

Breast implant replacement is relatively less complicated and reduces the risk of infection and bleeding. But if a patient is suffering from pain symptoms, arthritis or another autoimmune disease, implant removal may be better than replacement. Experienced and accomplished plastic surgeons at the Virginia Institute receive patients from Richmond, Virginia, and other neighborhoods and suburbs in this section of the state for breast implant revision surgery.

Recovery

If the scar tissue is removed along with the breast implant in a breast revision surgery, the post-operative discomfort may be a little higher. In simple cases of implant replacement, the recovery may be faster and more comfortable than the primary augmentation mammaplasty.

Most patients will return to their normal routine in about a week to 10 days. Breasts are likely to remain sore for a few days after replacement, similar to what the patient experienced following the original breast augmentation. The surgeon may prescribe mild pain medications in the first week to ensure patient comfort.

Combining with Breast Lift

If large sized implants are replaced with relatively smaller implants, it can leave a sagging appearance. A skilled surgeon will ensure that breasts remain as attractive as before, and may combine the procedure with breast lift in such cases. Breast lift surgery may become more necessary if the patient only wants implant removal and not replacement as part of her breast revision surgery. Every patient has their own predilection in these matters and that is expected and totally normal.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland, Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.