Breast augmentation surgery does not always meet expectations, and sometimes comes with complications, which can necessitate breast revision surgery. The desired size, position or shape of an augmented breast is sometimes not achieved. The most common complications are rupture and leakage, capsular contracture and infection.

Whatever your particular issue may be, you should have several options available. The most common response to breast augmentation complications, however, is breast revision surgery.

You should approach your breast revision surgery with at least as much care and caution as your first surgery. To ensure a successful breast revision surgery it is important that you find the right surgeon who will be able to pinpoint exactly what the issues that matter to you are. You should be realistic, understand the risks and follow your surgeon’s instructions.

Find the Right Surgeon

The right surgeon can make a huge difference in any operation. For this reason, make sure you look for several essential qualities when deciding who you want to perform your breast revision surgery.

Important Qualities

Specialized

Seek out a surgeon who is specialized in breast revision surgery. Although mostly similar, certain procedural differences do exist between revisions and first-time breast augmentation surgeries. Choosing a surgeon who is specialized in these procedural differences can significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome.

Experienced

Furthermore, your surgeon should be experienced. Specialization in breast revision surgery is best when combined with years of experience performing operations. Don’t hesitate to ask prospective surgeons as many questions as you think appropriate regarding their qualifications and experience.

Honest and Attentive

Also, as you discuss your case with prospective surgeons, take note of whether they are attentive and candid. An honest and open relationship with your surgeon is crucial to achieving your desired outcome. You should seek a surgeon who is willing to take time to resolve your concerns and explain in detail how he or she plans to approach your case. Attentiveness and openness will help you both set appropriate expectations and avoid miscommunication.

Be Realistic

Another quality you should seek in your surgeon is a realistic attitude toward breast revision surgery. No matter how specialized a given surgeon is or how many years of experience he or she has, the surgeon might not always able be to fix every issue completely or right away.

An attentive and honest surgeon will be straightforward about what they can do for you and what they cannot – and this is with your health and safety in mind. Having a surgeon tell you something cannot be done is better than a surgeon attempting something he or she knows cannot be done.

With this in mind, conduct research about your condition and ask your surgeon detailed questions. If you think a surgeon may be overstating his or her abilities, obtain a second or a third opinion. A realistic approach to breast revision is essential, so you should take the necessary time to find the right candidate.

Understand the Risks

During your first breast augmentation consultation, you probably received information about the risks associated with breast augmentation surgery. It’s important to note that many of these risks are still present during and after breast revision surgery. All surgeries carry some risk – you must weigh these risks against the benefits before you decide whether to proceed.

Common risks associated with breast revision surgery include those associated with a first-time breast augmentation: capsular contracture, infection and rupture/leakage. Capsular contracture refers to the hardening and tightening of the tissue around the implant, which can cause pain and can distort the breast’s appearance. Infection occurs when bacteria enters the body during the operation and causes redness and inflammation. Rupture/leakage is when the silicone breast implant becomes damaged and the gel inside begins to leak out.

By researching these complications further and discussing them with your surgeon, you can make an informed decision about whether breast revision surgery is right for you.

Follow Surgeon’s Instructions

One final step that will help you achieve your desired outcome with breast revision surgery is to follow your surgeon’s instructions. Your surgeon will provide you with instructions for before and after your operation that are intended to facilitate a successful recovery.

Common pre-operative instructions include:

  • Avoiding certain medications for a given time leading up to the operation
  • Stopping alcohol consumption, smoking or consuming certain foods before the operation

These instructions help your body bounce back from the surgery as quickly as possible.

After the operation, the instructions will center around promoting the healing process. Your surgeon will advise you on precisely when and how you may return to activity and exercise. He or she will also give you suggestions on how to protect your breasts as they recover.

Recovery can vary depending on the patient and the details of the breast revision surgery. Talk with your surgeon to better understand his or her specific instructions.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve experienced complications after your breast augmentation surgery, know that it’s not the end of the line. Breast revision surgery is an effective way to obtain your desired result. By continuing to research your condition and discussing it with your surgeon, you can improve your chances of a successful outcome.

You can use the information in this guide to form questions for your next medical consultation.

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Dr. Cohen

About Dr. Cohen

Dr. Cohen specializes in breast lifts, augmentations, revisions and reductions as well as breast cancer reconstructions. A long time dream of Dr. Cohen’s was to travel to developing countries and provide expert surgical care to those who have no other possible access to medical care. This became a reality in 2007 when she became a founding member and Vice President of ISMS Operation Kids.