Breast Revision
Dissatisfaction with breast size or shape causes many women to consider cosmetic breast surgery. Some women desire a fuller, more feminine bustline to fill out dresses and bikinis; some wish to eliminate fullness with breast reduction surgery. Alternatively, some women are pleased with their breast size but are unhappy with the sagging that has occurred after pregnancy or weight loss.
While cosmetic breast surgery is the easiest way to address breast-related concerns, some aesthetic procedures require an additional surgical procedure to correct or refine results.
Breast revision surgery offers natural results that transform the body after initial breast surgery.
“I want you to know that you guys are the best. Your professionalism and compassion made may surgery a lot easier. Dr. T, your hands are magic gifts and I’m so thankful.”
N.J.
Why Choose Dr. Thompson for Your Breast Revision?
Dr. Rudolf C. Thompson is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New Jersey who offers cutting-edge technologies and advanced techniques to provide optimal results in a comfortable and safe environment.
Breast revision surgery is a complicated process, and it is essential to choose a surgeon like Dr. Thompson, who is highly trained in complex breast surgeries.
How Is Breast Revision Performed?
Secondary breast surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. Even though you will be able to return home shortly after your procedure, you are required to have a friend or family member drive you home and preferably stay with you the night of your surgery.
Breast revision surgery is a multi-step operation that involves several techniques. Depending on your specific needs, Dr. Thompson will usually combine some of the following.
Breast Revision Incision Options
While multiple incision options are available for breast augmentation, Dr. Thompson believes that the inframammary incision is the safest and most successful approach when performing breast enhancement surgeries.
This incision runs along the inframammary fold (crease under the breasts). The inframammary option allows for the most visibility and control, thus providing better aesthetic results with a safer technique.
Implant Removal vs. Replacement
Women decide to remove their breast implants for many reasons, including implant complications (such as capsular contracture, rupture, or displacement) and aesthetic concerns (the desire to change implant size or return to a more natural breast aesthetic).
Breast implant removal can be performed with or without a replacement implant. Often, this requires additional breast revision techniques.
Breast Lift Surgery
When women remove their implants, they are often left with premature sagging (breast ptosis). Replacing implants usually will not remedy sagging breasts; in fact, adding new, larger implants often contribute to sagging. Because of this, many women opt to undergo a breast lift as a part of their breast revision surgery.
Breast lift surgery is performed to remove excess skin and tighten underlying breast tissues to restore a firmer and more elevated breast. The nipple-areola complex can also be resized and repositioned higher on the breast.
Autologous Fat Grafting
Regardless of whether you are replacing your breast implants, autologous fat grafting (fat transfer) is performed during a breast revision to enhance breast fullness and soften the edges of the implants for a more natural look and feel.
Fat transfer to the breasts is a multi-step process that harvests fat (using advanced liposuction techniques), purifies and cleanses fat using the REVOLVE™ Advanced Adipose System (REVOLVE™ System), and injects the fat into the breast.
Soft Tissue Support With GalaFLEX®
GalaFLEX® soft tissue support acts as an internal mesh bra that helps elevate and reinforce the soft tissue. This scaffolding is added to the breast during breast revision surgery to help strengthen the tissues and prolong surgical results.
Popcorn Capsulorrhaphy
A popcorn capsulorrhaphy is performed to alter and repair the capsule using forceps. Commonly used in revision procedures, this technique increases Dr. Thompson’s control during the procedure and decreases complication and revision rates.
This technique may include the addition of GalaFLEX®.
Capsulectomy
Capsular contracture (the hardening of the surrounding scar tissue) is one of the most common complications after breast augmentation and can result in physical pain and aesthetic distortion. When this occurs, the scar tissue must be removed.
This can be done through one of the following:
- Partial capsulectomy: Where only part of the scar tissue is removed
- Total capsulectomy: Where all of the scar tissue is removed (along with the implant) in pieces
- En bloc capsulectomy: Where the implant and the tissue capsule are removed together in “one piece”
Natural Results Aimed at Transforming Your Body
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do You Have to Wait After Your Initial Breast Surgery?
Complications and dissatisfaction can develop at any time after an initial breast augmentation or other breast surgery (lift, reduction, etc.). Unless there is a physical complication causing pain or interfering with your day-to-day lifestyle, you will be asked to wait until you are fully recovered from your first breast surgery before undergoing a revision. This can take several months.
How Long Is Breast Revision Recovery?
Dr. Thompson is an enhanced recovery expert. His precise surgical techniques help patients recover with less pain. Some patients even report recovering from their surgery without narcotics or other pain management techniques.
Learn more about Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®).
You can expect to experience some bruising and swelling following your surgery. You will be placed in a compression bra that will apply constant pressure to the breast area to help decrease swelling, promote blood circulation, protect the healing incisions, and speed recovery.
You should avoid any strenuous exercise, including lifting anything over a few pounds, until cleared by Dr. Thompson.
Most breast revision patients can return to desk-type jobs within one week of their surgery.
When Will I See My Breast Revision Results?
You will have bruising and swelling after your surgery that will conceal the full extent of your results. Therefore, it will take several weeks or months for your final results to become visible.
Your breast revision results should be long lasting, barring significant weight fluctuations or pregnancies. Additionally, if you choose to replace your implants (with silicone implants), those implants will need to be evaluated every other year (with an MRI) to verify their integrity.
Breast revision surgery does not stop the aging process, and you can expect to develop some age-related breast laxity over time. However, the aesthetic look of your breasts will always be better than if you had not undergone surgery.
How Much Does Breast Revision Cost?
Breast revision surgery is tailored to you and your specific needs. Because no two breast revision cases are the same, there is no way to provide an accurate cost estimate until after you have met with Dr. Thompson for a one-on-one consultation. Here, Dr. Thompson will create a surgical plan (which will include all surgical techniques and combinations). Once this plan has been established, our team will be able to provide you with an accurate cost estimate that will include cost factors, including anesthesia, facility, and surgeon’s fees.
Interested in Learning More About Breast Revision?
If you are interested in learning more about how you can benefit from secondary breast surgery, please contact the team at Thompson Plastic Surgery Center.
Schedule A Consultation“As always Dr. Thompson and the staff are awesome. They have answers to all your questions and make you feel at home, lets not forget the fact that no matter what you get done you will be happy with the results.”
Lillian L. (Patient since 2019)
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Don’t wait any longer to look and feel your best.
Dr. Thompson will work with you to design your personalized aesthetic goals. Call 732-410-4789 today to schedule your consultation or fill out the form below.