Breast augmentation procedures are highly complex surgeries, requiring superior surgical technique and extreme attention to detail. Additionally, no two patients are the same, so a surgeon must take special care to tailor the procedure specifically to a woman’s unique anatomy. Even when these factors are carefully considered, complications may arise or a patient may simply be unhappy with the outcome. As a result, a breast augmentation revision procedure may be necessary.

The most common reasons for revision surgeries typically fall into one or several of the following categories:

– Issues with the implants themselves

– Improper surgical placement or implant positioning

– Problems with a patient’s tissue characteristics

– Patient dissatisfaction

Implant Issues

Although the occurrences have significantly decreased over the past several decades, the potential for implant rupture and deflation still exists. The cohesive gel compound found in newer silicone implants won’t leak if the implant shell ruptures, but leakage is still possible with saline implants. Replacing damaged implants sooner rather than later can help prevent the breast pocket from shrinking, which is a possible complication related to implant deflation.

Issues with Surgical Placement or Positioning

A woman may also choose to undergo a revision surgery due to improper implant positioning or surgical placement. One instance in which a revision may be necessary involves “bottoming out,” a term used to describe an implant shift to a lower position within the breast pocket. This occurrence can make the affected breast appear lower on the chest wall in comparison to the other breast, and is typically due to improper breast pocket dissection. Conversely, a revision procedure may also be necessary to reposition implants that remain situated high on the chest instead of settling to a lower position over time as they should. Poorly positioned implants may lead to breasts that are spaced too far apart or too close together.

Breast Tissue Concerns

Another reason women choose to undergo revision surgery is to treat capsular contracture. The often painful condition occurs when an implant is surrounded and squeezed by collagen fibers. The fibrous capsule forms when an immune response is triggered to reject foreign objects placed in the body.

Another common reason for a revision procedure involves preexisting breast asymmetry. All women have some degree of breast asymmetry, so a surgeon should carefully document any major differences during a breast augmentation consultation and attempt to correct them during surgery. When symmetrical differences are not accounted for during an enlargement procedure, the breasts may become more apparently unbalanced once implants are placed.

A revision may also be necessary if breast tissue thins. Thinning breast tissue, along with a loss of skin elasticity, can occur due to aging, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, and may enhance implant visibility. It could also increase the chance of implant rippling and wrinkling, all of which can cause the breasts to appear less natural or distorted. Additionally, the ligaments supporting the base of the breast may be weaker in some women, which could place them at a higher risk for bottoming out.

Patient Dissatisfaction

In some cases, a patient may simply be unhappy with her augmentation. Oftentimes, a revision procedure is requested to switch to a larger or smaller implant than previously used. In addition to size, implant exchange may also be requested to improve the appearance and/or feel of augmented breasts. For example, a patient may want to replace textured implants with smooth implants. A textured coating is typically used to help prevent implant rotation within the breast pocket, but the thicker shell can make implants more noticeable.

To ensure optimum breast augmentation results, a patient should select a skilled Board Certified plastic surgeon with expertise performing breast enlargements on a variety of body types. There is no guarantee that complications won’t arise during or after surgery, but choosing a highly experienced surgeon can help minimize those risks.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including http://bayshoreplasticsurgery.com/ breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

Author Bio: Katie Perry is an online content editor in the Tampa Bay area. She posts articles about plastic surgery topics and procedures including breast augmentation, breast implants, and more.

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Keywords: breast augmentation, breast implants, breast enlargement, breast enhancement