There is a commonly-held misconception that breast implants must be replaced every 10 years. In reality, patients whose implants are intact, soft, and well-positioned typically don’t need to undergo a revision.
That said, some patients may feel that they need to make changes following their original procedure. This may be due to concerns regarding the structural integrity of their implants. In other cases, the patients may have developed an issue related to their breast augmentation, such as capsular contracture. Whatever the case, revision procedures are incredibly common and can address the issue.
Here are five common reasons that patients choose to undergo a revision surgery:
The patient is unhappy with the size of their breasts
As women go through the natural aging process, the role that the breasts play in their appearance can change. Whether the patient feels that their breasts are too big or too small, revision surgery can make the necessary adjustments. Implants can be removed and replaced with new ones of a different size in order to achieve the look that the patient is after.
The patient’s implants are broken
Patients who have experienced a rupturing of their implants may need to undergo a revision procedure. A deflated saline implant will ultimately result in a noticeable decrease in the size of the breast. That said, saline implant leaks may sometimes only be partial, meaning that there is a decrease in breast size but not total deflation. Issues with silicone breast implants are usually undetectable just from looking at them or upon undergoing an examination. As such, patients with silicone implants will need to be examined with an MRI or ultrasound. Whether the patient has saline or silicone implants, they can be replaced to restore harmony to the breasts.
The patients are experiencing skin rippling
In some cases, saline implants cause tiny waves in the surface layer of the breast. It is usually recommended that these patients have their implants replaced with silicone ones, as they are far less prone to skin rippling. Another potential solution for this is to perform breast fat grafting. This essentially helps cover the edges of the implant by adding more fatty tissue to the region. It is also possible to combine both procedures, which can provide even greater coverage of the area.
The positioning of the implants is off
Some women find that their implants have been placed too high or low on the chest wall. A breast revision can easily accomplish this by simply repositioning the implants. The type and/or size of the implants can also be changed in order to create a more aesthetically pleasing bust.
The patient is experiencing capsular contracture
Capsular contracture is a condition in which a thick, excess amount of scar tissue develops around the breast implant. This development of abnormal tissue ultimately leads to misshapen breasts that are visually unappealing. In most cases, this condition is addressed by removing the scar tissue from the area and replacing the implant with a new one.
What is the takeaway?
In recent decades, both breast augmentation procedures and breast augmentation revision procedures have grown in popularity. Patients should not let the prevalence of revision procedures dissuade them from undergoing breast augmentation. These treatments can provide incredible results. There are simply some cases in which some adjustments will need to be made. Choosing an experienced, skilled practitioner to carry out the procedure is the best deterrent against dissatisfactory results.
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