Dissatisfied with a previous breast lift or augmentation? Breast revision surgery is your opportunity to right old wrongs.
Breast revision surgery corrects poor symmetry, projection, and overall look of the breasts. Depending on your situation, the procedure will involve removing or replacing one or both breast implants.
Reasons a patient may consider breast revision surgery
Capsular Contracture
This complication occurs when the scar tissue that naturally forms around the breast implant becomes too tight, putting pressure on the implant. In severe cases, pain and swelling develop, as well as a hardening of the breasts. Capsular contracture can also alter the placement of the implants.
Concerns About Safety
All breast implants have their advantages and disadvantages, but some things Dr. Bartell believes are not worth risking: your health and safety! The most common breast implant safety concerns that come up are issues of implant rupture and capsular contracture. These risks aren’t very common, but they do happen. The FDA has been studying complications related primarily to the safety of silicone implants. Certain types of silicone gel breast implants that have textured surfaces have been shown to be associated with a rare form of lymphoma. As a result, these have been removed from the market in many countries. This may be a reason for some women to choose a breast implant revision surgery. Women are switching from a textured implant to a smooth-surfaced one, where there has been no known case of lymphoma association.
Poor Shape
One of the most disheartening results of a breast augmentation is ending up, when all is said and done, with poorly shaped breasts. The culprits of a dissatisfactory shape can be either complications related to the procedure or from poor surgical technique.
Rippling or Wrinkling
Another reason patients seek breast revision surgery is because the edge of their implants can be seen from the side. This sometimes occurs in very thin patients without a lot of fatty tissue along their sides or those who opted to have placed implants that were too large for their frame.
Rupture or Leakage
Breast revision surgery might be necessary if the implants have ruptured. This occurs when the silicone shell of the implant tears. For silicone implants, a rupture might not be immediately obvious. Called a “silent rupture,” the silicone gel may seep through the tear into the body over a period of months of years without the woman knowing. MRIs are needed to diagnose a silent rupture. With saline implants, ruptures are easy to spot. Within a day or two, the breast with the ruptured implant will look deflated.
Implant Shifting
It’s okay for your mind to wander, but not your implants! If your implants have moved from their original position due to capsular contracture, poor surgical technique, or aging, Dr. Bartell may be able to get them back to where they need to be.
Sizing and Asymmetry
Breast revision surgery can correct obvious disparities in shape, size, or projection of the breasts, making your breasts much more symmetrical than before. Dr. Bartell prefers saline implants because they are adjustable in the operating room. Nine out of ten patients have a breast that’s larger than the other, so it’s important that your surgeon be able to help with symmetry.
Various Implant Options to Consider for a Revision
Not all implants are created equal. For that reason, each comes with its own rate of potential risks. Learning about the different types of implants and what you’re willing to risk in regard to breast implant safety is a crucial step to take before selecting breast implants. If you already have implants, but want a breast revision, the best thing to do is ask yourself what you like and don’t like about your current implants. Take this opportunity to give yourself an implant upgrade. Choose an implant that gives you the look and feel you want with the peace of mind you need.
Safety of Silicone Implants vs. Saline Implants
Even though silicone gel implants are a popular choice among women who want extremely natural looking and feeling implants, they tend to come with higher breast implant safety risks than other implants. In the majority of cases where there is a negative response, it involves the silicone gel coming into contact with tissues either through rupture or seeping through the shell. It does appear that some women may be reacting to the implant shell itself, which is in saline filled implants as well. With silicone gel implants, silent rupture is what usually occurs. This means that a woman could go months, even years, without realizing that her implant has ruptured and may still be in contact with her tissue, creating more complications in the future.
The benefit of saline filled implants, is that they will noticeably and instantly deflate in the case of implant rupture, allowing women to seek revision right away. As in the case of any medical device, the safety of silicone implants will always have an unknown factor. Fortunately, women have options for breast revision or removal of implants. Saline filled implants provide women with peace of mind through instant rupture detection and the safety of saline solution.
About Dr. Thomas Bartell
Dr. Thomas Bartell is a trusted Madison, WI plastic surgeon, known for his over 30 years of experience. He’s performed hundreds of below-the-neck procedures and his exceptional expertise in plastic surgery. If you are looking for a surgeon who can give you beautiful and natural looking results without visible scarring, call Dr. Bartell.
In conclusion, Dr. Bartell’s patients appreciate his friendly bedside manner, professionalism and knowledge. He has decades of experience and his ability to create gorgeous and natural looking results. He comes highly recommended for providing the rare commodity of an amazing first impression and overall experience. Researching the safety of breast implants? Contact Dr. Bartell today to discuss your options. Simply call 608-271-0500, or visit Dr. Bartell’s office located at 6418 Normandy Lane, Suite 210 Madison, WI 53719. Contact Dr. Bartell’s office for a consultation today.