Breast revision surgery is a secondary procedure that corrects, improves, or changes the results of a previous breast surgery, most often a breast augmentation. The procedure requires exceptional surgical skill and discernment on the part of the surgeon.
Dr. Steven Teitelbaum is a board-certified plastic surgeon who completed his medical education at UCLA School of Medicine and his surgical residency at Harvard, one of the few surgeons to complete entire residencies in both general surgery and plastic surgery. He is board-certified in both Surgery and Plastic Surgery, serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine, and has been in private practice in Santa Monica since 1995.
Dr. Teitelbaum's extensive experience with advanced revision techniques means he regularly sees patients who were told elsewhere that little could be done, whether the issue is a complication, an aging implant, or simply a result that no longer fits the patient's goals. His approach favors natural, proportionate results over an overdone look, and every revision is performed in his own AAAHC-accredited operating room in Santa Monica. He is also a past President of both the California Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF). Additionally, he has been recognized by Newsweek as one of the Top 10 plastic surgeons in the country.
This blog covers seven signs it may be time for revision, how revision differs from your first surgery, and the terms you're likely to hear along the way.
What Is Breast Revision Surgery?
Breast revision surgery is any secondary operation performed after an initial breast procedure to correct a complication, improve appearance, or update the implants themselves.
Revision falls into two broad categories:
- Corrective revision, which addresses a medical complication like rupture or capsular contracture
- Cosmetic revision, which changes size, shape, or position without an underlying medical problem
A few terms come up often during revision consultations:
- Capsulectomy: Removal of the scar tissue capsule that has formed around an implant.
- Explant: Removal of a breast implant, with or without replacement.
- Pocket revision: Adjusting or recreating the surgical pocket that holds the implant in place.
- Neosubpectoral pocket: A newly created pocket behind the existing capsule, often used when moving an implant to a different plane during revision.
7 Signs You May Need Breast Revision Surgery
- Pain or discomfort. Ongoing pain can point to capsular contracture, a pinched nerve, or a ruptured implant, and it should not be ignored.
- Rupture or deflation. A saline implant that deflates or a silicone implant with signs of rupture needs prompt evaluation. The FDA lists rupture among the complications that most often prompt reoperation.
- Capsular contracture or hardening. Scar tissue can tighten around an implant, making the breast feel firm and appear misshapen. Reported rates of capsular contracture range from 15% to 45% of augmented breasts, with the large majority occurring within the first year after surgery.
- Visible rippling. Rippling or wrinkling along the implant's edge is more noticeable in patients with thinner tissue coverage and is one of the most common cosmetic complaints prompting revision.
- Malposition or asymmetry. Implants can shift over time due to gravity, weight change, or the original pocket placement, resulting in breasts that sit unevenly or too far to one side.
- Dissatisfaction with size or look. Patients sometimes decide, often a year or more after their first surgery, that they want a different size or shape than originally chosen.
- Implant age of 10 or more years. Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and the ASPS notes that many patients choose replacement around the 10-year mark even without a specific complication.
How Revision Differs From Your Original Augmentation
Revision surgery is generally more technically demanding than a first augmentation. Existing scar tissue must be addressed, which can mean a longer procedure and a more involved recovery than the original surgery.
Dr. Teitelbaum's experience with advanced revision techniques allows him to evaluate whether an implant should be replaced, repositioned, or removed altogether, depending on each patient's anatomy and goals.
Noticing These Signs? Dr. Teitelbaum Offers Advanced Breast Revision in Los Angeles
If any of these signs sound familiar, a consultation with Dr. Teitelbaum can clarify whether revision surgery is the right next step for you. Contact the practice in Santa Monica today to book your consultation.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.
Sources
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Risks and Complications of Breast Implants
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Seven Signs You Need a Breast Implant Revision
- El-Sheikh Y, et al., Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery, Capsular Contracture Rates
