Poor breast augmentation results can be devastating because of the time and money you spent trying to achieve your ideal body. You may have chosen an under-qualified surgeon, picked the wrong implant type for your body, or developed uncontrollable complications post-surgery. In the end, the results are the same—a bustline doesn’t make you feel happy and confident. Breast revision surgery can remove or replace implants following an unsuccessful augmentation. Dr. Doezie works closely with all of his revision clients to develop a custom revision plan that will result in a beautiful breast appearance.
Schedule My ConsultationYou may become dissatisfied with the look and feel of your breasts soon after your augmentation or years down the line. While it may be best to consult with your primary surgeon for revision surgery in some cases, this may not be possible for you. Dr. Doezie holds extensive consultations with his revision patients to gain a better understanding of why they are seeking revision surgery, especially for poor breast appearance. With a thorough understanding of your desires, Dr. Doezie will evaluate your body type and breast symmetry to devise a customized revision plan. Dr. Doezie will discuss the details of your unique revision plan during your consultation.
Breast tissue along the inframammary line that has become weak can struggle to support your breast implants. Over time, your breast implants can descend below the inframammary line. This causes volume loss in the upper pole of your breasts, and a distinct implant edge may develop below the inframammary crease. With implants that have bottomed out, the nipples may appear too high on the breasts.
Correction Technique: Capsulorrhaphy, which places sutures in the lower portion of the breast. This technique elevates the breast implant to the correct position and provides additional support in the future.
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Capsular contracture occurs when the natural scar tissue surrounding your breast implant begins to harden excessively. This can squeeze the implants, causing pain and an unnatural breast appearance. Depending on the severity of your capsular contracture, your breasts may appear high and tight.
Correction Technique: Scar tissue release or removal. A capsulotomy uses an incision along the scar tissue to release pressure. In severe cases, a capsulectomy completely removes the surrounding scar tissue. A textured implant may be placed to prevent future capsular contracture.
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Double bubble deformity occurs when weak breast tissue sags and begins to pool under the breast tissue. The settling of this excess tissue creates the appearance of a second bubble under the breast. The nipple-areola complex may shift position due to sagging tissue.
Correction Technique: A breast lift can be used to eliminate excess breast tissue and provides a firmer breast appearance. Internal sutures support weak tissue, and the nipple-areola complex may be repositioned.
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Anatomical, or “teardrop,” implants are used to create a natural appearance with fullness in the lower pole of the breasts. A poor breast appearance can be created when anatomical implants rotate within the breast pocket.
Correction Technique: Implant repositioning or replacement. Your anatomical implants may be repositioned in the breast pocket to restore their appearance, or they may be replaced with round implants to prevent future complications.
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Positioning issues can vary between patients. Your breast implants may sit too close together, may have been placed too far apart, or may have settled unattractively in your breast pocket. A poorly positioned implant can negatively affect the overall appearance of your breasts.
Correction Technique: Implant replacement or repositioning. Your implants may need to be completely replaced to achieve the positioning you require. You may choose to change the implant placement in the breast pocket from above the muscle to under the muscle. In other cases, the current implants may be repositioned in a more suitable position.
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Implant ruptures can occur in both saline and silicone implants. Saline implants will noticeably deflate when ruptured, whereas silicone implants require an MRI to properly diagnose a leak. Implants can rupture from trauma to the implant, a defect within the implant, or with age.
Correction Technique: Replacement, where the damaged implant is removed. The implant pocket is cleaned of saline or silicone, and a new implant is inserted.
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A number of factors in breast surgery can affect your resulting breasts size. If your breasts didn’t turn out the size you originally envisioned, you may be disappointed with the quality of your results. Depending on your body type and your personal preferences, your breasts may feel too large or too small.
Correction Technique: Replacement, where a more appropriate implant size is inserted into your implant pocket. Dr. Doezie will help you choose an implant size that meets your aesthetic goals while maintaining a balanced and natural appearance.
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Symmastia occurs when one or both of your implants shift laterally in the implant pockets toward the middle of your chest. In severe cases, the two breasts can become connected at the cleavage. The skin over the sternum may tent from one breast to the other. Your nipples may also begin to point outward.
Correction Technique: The breast pocket is manipulated to better hold your implants, which are moved back into their proper position. The connection at the midline is also corrected for a more natural breast appearance.
Learn MoreBreast revision surgery is often performed on the same scale as an augmentation, and your recovery period may last just as long. If you are experiencing any of the above issues, it may be time to schedule your consultation with Dr. Doezie. The goal of breast revision surgery is to balance your aesthetic desires with your natural build to ensure beautiful, natural-looking breasts.
If you are dissatisfied with your breast appearance or are experiencing any pain or discomfort, breast revision may be right for you. Your breasts require six months to a year to fully heal from the primary augmentation, and you should allow your breasts to heal naturally before considering revision surgery. It is dependent on a case by case basis.
Breast revision surgery corrects current breast issues and can provide support to your breasts to minimize the risk of new issues developing. However, some issues, such as capsular contracture, can recur for unknown reasons. Routine follow-up appointments with Dr. Doezie will help ensure quality, long-term results.
Each woman is unique, and it can be impossible to tell which complications you may experience following your breast surgery. As many as 15 percent of women undergo revision surgery to correct a poor breast appearance or complications after breast augmentation.
The cost of your breast revision will vary based on the type of correction you require. Depending on the reason for undergoing revision surgery, a portion may be covered by your implant manufacturer based on rupture or capsular contracture. Contact your implant manufacturer for additional information.
Implants do not always need to be replaced to correct an unsatisfactory breast appearance. If your implants are intact and aren’t the reason for needing breast revision, then you should be able to keep your original implants.
On average, women tend to have their breast implants replaced 10 years after their original breast augmentation due to preference changes, breast changes, or complications. However, replacing your implants every 10 years is not medically necessary. If you are satisfied with the look and feel of your breasts, there may be no need to replace them.
