Breast Implant Revision


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Member - American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Breast Implant Revision

Breast Implant Revision
Are You A Good Candidate
Meeting With The Doctor
How The Procedure Is Performed
What To Expect After Surgery
Possible Side Effects And Risks
How Long Will The Results Last
Questions You May Have

Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision surgery is used to correct problems of symmetry between breasts, to correct implant problems, to improve cleavage, and to improve the overall result of breast augmentation surgery. The doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery specialize in working with you to ensure you are pleased with the overall results of your breast surgery.

Are You A Good Candidate for Breast Implant Revision?
If you are generally healthy and have a clear understanding of the results of your breast implant revision surgery, you are an ideal candidate for the procedure. The doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will work with you to ensure that you know what to expect from the procedure and that you are happy with the results.

Meeting With the Doctor
Prior to your surgery, you will have a detailed consultation with the staff and doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. The goal of this meeting is to make sure you are a good candidate for breast implant revision surgery and to provide you with a clear understanding of the procedure and the healing process and a clear picture of how your breasts will look after the surgery.

The staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will:
� Describe in detail how your breast implants will be revised
� Discuss other procedures such as implant replacement or breast lifting that you may want to consider to enhance your breasts
� Clearly discuss the potential risks of the procedure
� Outline in detail how the surgery is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
� Provide detailed cost, payment, and insurance (if applicable) information
� Answer all your questions

You will be asked to provide:
� Details about your medical history
� A list of all medications you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
� Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol consumption.

How The Procedure Is Performed
Your breast implant revision surgery will be performed at the hospital or at the Center for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI), where the doctors and staff are dedicated to ensuring your complete comfort during and after the procedure. The surgery may be performed under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The procedure generally takes one to three hours to complete and you will go home shortly after your surgery is completed.

The doctor makes a small incision in the breast, usually in the same area as your original incision. Possible alternative locations for the incisions include the area around the areola, under the fold of the breast, or in the armpit. The doctor will choose the location that will most likely result in the least amount of scarring.

Once the incision is made, the original implant is inspected and repositioned or replaced depending on the condition of the implant and your wishes prior to surgery. Stitches are used to close the incisions and your breasts are bandaged with gauze dressings. A special surgical bra is placed over your breasts after the surgery to ensure that your breasts are held in the best position for healing.

What To Expect After Your Surgery
Activity When

Shower or Bath One to Two Days After Surgery

Back to Work Within One Week After Surgery

Driving When You Are Pain Free

Physical Contact With Breasts Three to Four Weeks After Surgery

Strenuous Activity Three Weeks After Surgery

Fading of Scars Several Months to One Year

Immediately After Your Surgery
In most cases, you will be ready to go home shortly after your implant revision procedure. You may be a bit sleepy after the anesthesia and the area around the incisions will be sore so it is important to have someone drive you home after your surgery. You may also want to have someone stay with you for the first few days after the surgery.

The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
During the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure, you may feel tired from the anesthesia and sore from the surgery. The doctor will prescribe pain medication to alleviate most of the discomfort. Your discomfort level will improve rapidly after the first two days. Recovery from breast revision surgery is generally easier than with breast augmentation.

The First Two Weeks After Surgery
You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first few weeks after your surgery. Other things to be aware:
� The gauze dressings placed over your breasts will be removed a few days after your surgery. Once they are removed, you can take a shower or bath.
� Your first post-operative visit will be scheduled for two to three days after surgery. Follow-up visits will occur at one week, two weeks, and one month following surgery.
� Any bruising you experience will usually disappear in about two weeks.
� You may experience some numbness in the area of the surgery. This numbness is caused by the swelling of your breasts after surgery and usually disappears within six weeks of surgery.
� Your stitches will be removed within five to seven days after surgery.

You should sleep on your back for the first week after surgery to help with the healing process. You should wear the special surgical bra placed over your breasts after surgery at all times for the first few days. A softer sports bra should be worn at all times for the first two weeks after your surgery. The bra should be worn even while sleeping to help hold your breasts in the correct position. You may take the bra off to shower or bathe, but must put it back on immediately after drying off. If the bra is too tight, call the staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery immediately - bras that are too tight can cause skin problems.

Resuming Your Normal Routine
Everyone heals at different rates and you are the best judge of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following are general guidelines:
� You can most likely return to work or school within a week of your surgery
� You can resume driving as soon as you experience no pain when you turn the steering wheel.
� You should avoid sex for at least the first week after your surgery.
� Two weeks after surgery, you can begin to sleep without the special elastic bra you've been wearing. However, you should continue to wear this bra during the day for four to six weeks after your surgery.
� Do not go without a bra for at least six weeks after your surgery, unless instructed by your doctor.
� Strenuous exercise can begin about three to four weeks after your surgery, but remember that everyone heals at different rates so take these activities slowly until you feel ready. Our patients are encouraged to plan an exercise program and discuss it with the staff prior to resuming exercise.
� The scars on your breasts should be protected from sunlight for at least a year after surgery.

Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
� The skin of your breasts may appear shiny due to swelling. Within a few weeks, the swelling will disappear and the skin will return to a normal appearance.
� You may experience some numbness in the area of your surgery, but this generally goes away within six weeks of your surgery.

What Are The Possible Side Effects or Risks?
Like all surgical procedures, there are risks associated with breast implant revision. As with any surgery, you can help reduce the risks associated with your breast implant revision by closely following the instructions provided to you by the staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. And, the doctors and staff at the Institute will be with you every step of the way to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome.

Some possible side effects include:
� Infection
� Loss of nipple sensation
� Implant rupture or shifting
� Asymmetry of the breasts
� Capsular contraction
� Visible implant rippling
� Scarring

How Long Will the Results of Your Breast Implant Revision Last?
Breast implants are permanent; however, some revision of the implants is usually needed with five to ten years of your initial surgery. Also keep in mind that your breasts may sag or droop over time due to the natural affects of aging.

Questions You May Have

� Are there other procedures that could be done along with breast implant revision to enhance the size and shape of my breasts?
A breast lift can be performed to enhance the size and shape of your breasts. All additional options will be discussed with you in detail when you meet with the doctor before your surgery.

� Will my insurance coverage pay for my breast implant revision?
In most cases, a breast implant revision is considered a cosmetic procedure and, therefore, is not covered by insurance. You are responsible for the full payment for your procedure. Cost and payment options will be discussed fully with you at your initial consultation. In a few cases where significant capsular contraction has caused breast distortion or severe pain, insurance may be provided. The staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will work with you to determine if your insurance will cover all or part of the procedure.

� Are there alternatives to breast implant revision?
Alternative procedures include a reverse tummy tuck, where the excess tissue removed from the abdominal area is used to augment the breasts. However, this type of procedure has associated risks and potential complications. Breast implants may also be removed and a breast lift performed, which will rejuvenate the breasts but at a smaller size.