Breast Revision: Consider the Basic Facts and Reasoning for This Surgery

If you are one of the millions of women who have had implants put in, you may be surprised to find that you may need to undergo breast revision in the future. Since implants usually only last for ten years, and after that additional surgery will be necessary.

One of the most common reasons to have breast revision surgery is to deal with implant deflation or rupture, which occurs in three to ten percent of cases. If you are unhappy with your postsurgical results, you may decide to have modification surgery. In fact, over one third of revision surgeries are done to increase the size of the implants. Another reason for an operation is if you have developed capsular contracture, which is caused by the formation of scar tissue that requires surgical release. In addition, if you have had problems with rippling, you may need to have it fixed by switching from saline to silicone implants, as this creates a more natural look and a softer feel.

If you are considering having breast augmentation done for the first time, make sure you discuss the surgeon's breast revision policy with him, including the options you would have if you were dissatisfied with the surgical outcome. Although you probably do not want to think about the possibility of problems occurring before you even have the procedure done, you need to know that approximately ten percent of all cosmetic surgeries are performed to correct problems, so there is a fair chance that you will require correction in the future. Many patients who are unhappy with the results will seek out a new surgeon to perform their corrective surgery, usually because they simply do not trust the surgical skill of the original physician. However, it is important to note that a poor surgical result is sometimes not the doctor's fault. If the patient fails to follow postoperative instructions, this can negatively affect the outcome of the operation.

Unfortunately, if you undergo modification of breasts that have been augmented, this procedure is often more difficult than the previous operation. This is mainly due to the presence of scar tissue, which makes the outcome more unpredictable. In addition, the surgeon has to work with stretched tissue, which can complicate the job and usually is more expensive. You may find that you are afraid to go under the knife again, especially if you had disappointing results after the initial procedure, and you may take out your fear on your new physician. This can often lead to miscommunication or an antagonistic relationship between the two of you, so it is important that you put aside the bad feelings you may have towards your original surgeon and give the new one a chance to fix your problems. You should also remember that plastic surgery will not give you a perfect body, but it should improve it.

You do not have to live with the results of an unsatisfactory augmentation procedure. Find a competent plastic surgeon in your area to offer you breast revision.