Breast Revision in Darien

Reasons for Breast Revision

A breast revision may be performed for medical conditions and cosmetic reasons. Surgical procedures can be used to correct the following breast conditions.

• Breast Shape and Implant Shift- Poor breast shape can happen as a result of surgical complications or from a poor surgical technique used during a previous procedure. Additional changes can occur when implants drop considerably from the initial position. This can cause the implant to appear low on the chest while the nipple looks too high. This condition is sometimes referred to as “bottoming out.” Some women experience a condition in which the breasts move toward the midline of the chest and form a single breast with the appearance of no cleavage. This can occur as a result of a natural deformity of the breast tissue (Symmastia) or as a result of previous breast surgery (Synmastia).
• Capsular Contractures- Following surgery, the body naturally forms a capsule, which is basically scar tissue. This is quite common following the introduction of something foreign into the body, such as breast implants. However, as time passes, this capsule can become harder and thicker causing tightening in the surgical areas leading to a condition called “capsular contracture.” This can cause extreme discomfort when this fibrous tissue capsule forms around the implant and squeezes tight around it. The breasts may become firm and distorted and may require the removal of the capsule and breast implant.
• Implant Rupture or Leakage- Many older breast implants have been found to eventually fail. They may leak contents or even rupture. If this happens with a saline implant, obvious changes occur, and the breast appears to deflate. If a rupture or leakage occurs with a silicone implant, immediate changes are less obvious. This condition must be confirmed by an MRI and may not be apparent until a mammogram is performed or the patient experiences side effects. When a silicone implant leaks or ruptures, the implant will need to be removed and the patient may have a required waiting time before a replacement implant can be inserted.
• Sizing and Asymmetry- Naturally, breasts are not exactly the same and some asymmetry can be expected even following breast surgery. However, obvious size and symmetrical issues can be corrected through surgery. Some patients that opted for breast augmentation may later decide that the implants selected are too large. This change in size will require breast revision to remove the larger implants and insert smaller ones. In most cases, this procedure will also require a breast lift to prevent loose tissue and sagging breasts (ptosis) from extra skin.
• Rippling and Wrinkling- This condition tends to occur more frequently with individuals that have insufficient natural breast tissue at the time of surgery to cover a breast implant or when an implant that is too large for the breast tissue is inserted. With this condition, the edge of the implant can be seen and felt on the surface of the breast, giving it an appearance of rippling or wrinkling.
• Preplanned Revisions- Many individuals that have a breast reduction or mastectomy surgery will be advised that they will (or may) need additional breast revision surgeries to achieve the desired appearance.