Breast Implant Revision Surgery

HAVE YOU HAD BREAST IMPLANT SURGERY AND ARE UNHAPPY WITH THE RESULTS?

With the long history and popularity of breast implant surgery, it is not surprising that a larger number of women present each year to the plastic surgeons office for revision of previous performed surgery. Requests for further surgery include

• Change in size or type of implant
• Breast implant firmness or Capsular Contracture
• Correction of Breast Ptosis from aging, pregnancy or weight loss
• Change in Breast Shape such as Bottoming Out or Double Bubble
• Implant Malposition
• Synmastia

Changing the Size or Type of Your Breast Implant

If you are unhappy with the current size and or feel of your breast implants, you may want to consider breast implant revision surgery. Recently with the reintroduction of silicone gel implants to market in 2006, there has been renewed interest in this type of implant because of the more natural feel compared to saline implant. Replacing your saline implants with gel implants of similar size is a relatively straightforward operation, which may involve minor adjustment or expansion of the implant pocket by performing a capsulotomy. A capsulotomy usually involves releasing the scar capsule completely to allow expansion of the pocket. Another common reason for implant revision is the desire for a larger size. If you are unhappy with your current size, breast revision with expansion of the implant pocket with capsulotomy may be an appropriate choice

Capsular Contracture

Perhaps you have noticed increasing firmness of your breast implants which is called  capsular contracture. This is due to formation of more inelastic scar around your breast implants causing them to feel harder or even distort the shape of your breasts. Breast implant revision surgeryby Dr. Richard Linderman with years of experience in breast implant surgery should be considered. In most cases the entire scar capsule is removed in a procedure called a total capsulectomy. If your implants are on top of the chest wall muscle, switching them to a new subpectoral pocket provides the best chance of eliminating your breast hardness. This is a procedure that breast surgeon in Indianapolis, Dr. Linderman has helped patients with on numerous occasions to improve their breast hardness. This is a more complicated operation and not for the beginning breast surgeon.

Perhaps you have had previous breast implant surgery and the shape of your breasts has changed from pregnancy, aging or weight loss. If you are trying to regain the former shape of your breasts, breast implant revision surgery by Dr. Linderman may be an option. Frequently the change in breast shape is breast droopiness or ptosis.

A mastopexy or breast lift with possible implant change can often restore or greatly improve the shape of your breasts.

Bottoming Out or Double Bubble.

Have you had previous breast implant surgery and now have an irregularity of the bottom the breast or breast fold. There are two conditions Dr. Linderman often sees in consultation. They can occur for several reasons. Bottoming out is a stretching of the lower pole of the breast causing an increased distance from the fold to the nipple. The nipple often appears high but the breast fold is well defined. It is not always easy to determine the cause of this condition. Larger heavier implants in some individuals with poor skin elasticity is certainly one reason. Low placement of the implants is another possibility and this may also produce a double bubble effect. Treatment may vary from using a smaller implant and raising the breast fold with internal suturing called a capsulorraphy. Other options include making a new pocket for the breast implants or placing an internal synthetic collagen sling such as Alloderm. Although effective, this material is quite expensive. Double Bubble is a similar but different condition where the breast fold is disrupted and the breast implant extends lower than the original fold. The natural breast tissue stays above the breast fold producing the second bubble. This condition usually occurs with subpectoral implant placement and can be corrected by reconstructing the fold and placing the implant on top of the muscle. Placing a smaller implant and performance of a meticulous internal capsulorraphy or creation of a neo pocket under the muscle is another alternative. Dr. Richard Linderman has the experience to perform these more difficult procedures to correct your breast implant deformity.

Malpositioned Implants

Perhaps you are unhappy about you’re the positions of your breast implants. Are they too high or low or displaced laterally? Improvement is possible by modifying the pockets using a combined internal approach of capsulotomy or capsulorraphy. This internal suturing takes time and attention to technique with multiple sutures in order to produce a result that will last.  Sometimes a synthetic internal collagen sling may be indicated. It is always harder to raise and implant than lower one because of the effects of gravity. If implant position is a problem for you, a consult with Dr. Linderman for implant revision surgery may be a good idea. 

Synmastia or Uniboob

One final condition that can be a real problem for breast implants patients is called synmastia or uniboob. This is caused by a connection of the breast implant pockets across the sternum producing a merging of the two implants. Causes include overly large breast implants or over dissection of the medial implant pocket. This is a very challenging problem for the patient and the plastic surgeon. Dr. Linderman with expert technique has the experience to deal with these vexing problems. Correction usually involves implant replacement, neo pocket creation and the use of synthetic collagen.

In summary breast implant revision surgery is more complicated and requires the experience of an expert plastic surgeon. This is the best reason to see Dr. Richard Linderman of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of Indiana. Please contact our breast surgeon if you would like a personalized consultation in Carmel, Indianapolis, or Fishers, Indiana today.