Breast Revision Surgery Queensland
Breast revision surgery can improve the results of a previous breast implant surgery by correcting aesthetics or treating complications.
Have you suffered from a “botched” boob job (breast augmentation)? We have all heard the horror stories or seen television segments about breast implant surgery gone wrong. An alarmingly increasing number of women are choosing to go overseas for surgery or opt for cheap breast implants. Equally, there are a number of women who are not completely happy with the result of their initial breast surgery.
What is breast correction surgery?
Breast revision surgery has the ability to repair the physical and psychological issues that arise when patients are not completely satisfied with their initial breast surgery. In addition to this, a breast revision also encompasses breast implant replacement or removal. This varies slightly from breast reconstruction revision surgery which is more so aimed at the reconstruction of a breast lost to cancer or other conditions.
Am I a candidate for breast implant revision?
You are a candidate for a breast implant revision if you were dissatisfied with the shape, size or position of your implants. It can be very disheartening to have undergone breast surgery only to find you aren’t happy with the end results. Perhaps the perky, fuller shape you desired has started to wane. Dr Doyle and the team at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery will take the time to understand your concerns and determine if breast correction surgery is the right step for you.
Do I need breast correction surgery?
There are a number reasons women undergo breast correction surgery, such as:
- Unhappy with size
- Not satisfied with shape
- Deflation of implant
- Breasts have sagged
- Asymmetric breasts
- Implant rupture or replacement
- Capsular contracting or hardening
- No longer wanting implants
Breast implant removal and replacement
How often do you have to replace breast implants?
There is a lot of confusion and misconception surrounding how long breast implants last. Although the implant manufacturers clearly state implants will not last a lifetime, Dr Doyle’s experience and research show that some patients have seen great results beyond 10 years. Implants naturally deflate over time, however, it is unnecessary to get replacements every 7-10 years unless there is a specific issue with the implants. In saying that some factors such as implant rupture, hardening and serious health complications can warrant the need for breast implant replacement.
Breast implant removal
It is often medically not recommended to permanently remove your breast implants. After breast enhancement surgery, your breast tissue changes naturally to contour to the shape of the breast implants.
Although for some women, complications from surgery, medical conditions and other personal reasons may warrant removal. Together, Dr Doyle will tailor a treatment plan to suit your unique needs and desired outcome.
Breast Implants
To learn more about breast augmentation after implant removal, visit our breast augmentation page.
Considerations for breast revision surgery
There are many factors and variables to consider before undergoing a breast revision.
Have you truly considered all of the risks?
The decision to undergo surgery is not one to be made lightly and often comes after serious emotional consideration. As with all surgery, a breast revision involves risk. For this reason, it’s important to consider the accountability of your surgeon, their qualifications, and the standards of the clinic and/or hospital.
The discussion of potential risks and complications is one of the most important aspects of patient consultation. During your initial consultation, Dr Mark Doyle will discuss all of the risks so you can make a well-informed decision moving forward. He’ll take his time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions and discuss the protocols we have in place to minimise any risk.
It’s important you do thorough research outside of your consultation and we encourage you to seek a second opinion from another medical professional if you wish.
Do you have reasonable expectations?
While our surgery is performed with the utmost care to produce your desired results, it is important to be in the right frame of mind and have a realistic expectation of the projected outcomes.
Breast implant revision, also referred to as breast augmentation revision, is a surgical procedure involving the removal and/or replacement of breast implants to correct complications that have occurred after breast augmentation or implant-based breast reconstruction surgery.
The options available to a patient having breast implant revisional surgery include the following:
- Removal of implants and no replacement
- Removal of implants and replacement of implants with correction of any problems, then replacement with the same implants.
- Removal of implants and replacement with either smaller, same size or larger implants.
- Removal of implants and breast lift.
Removal Of Implants
For some patients, unrelated health problems can arise that require the removal of implants. An example is the diagnosis of breast cancer – although breast cancer is not linked to breast implants, treatment of the disease may be more effective after breast implant removal.
Implants may also require removal due to implant complications, such as rupture, severe capsular contracture (hardening of the implants) or shifting of the implant. Sometimes, discomfort associated with breast implants (mostly due to hardening or size) is also an indication for removal with or without replacement.
Lifestyle changes are another motivating factor behind breast implant revision, replacement, or removal. A woman may simply decide she no longer desires implants, or that the specific size she opted for no longer meets her cosmetic goals. Whatever the reason, any patient dissatisfied with her breast implants is a potential candidate for implant revision.
Should you remove your Implants?
Some women experience unwanted complications after breast augmentation or implant reconstruction, such as asymmetry, breast pain, implant deflation, and other side effects. Some women want their implant removed for breast screening purposes, as the presence of implants can decrease the effectiveness of mammograms. Others have implant rupture and calcified silicone leak which can obscure breast cancer on mammography. These ladies often require not just the removal of the implants but also the excision of calcified lumps of leaked silicone.
Patients who are simply dissatisfied with the results of their breast augmentation may be candidates for a revision. The cause of dissatisfaction will need to be established (size, shape or position). Expectation will also need to be re-established and confirmed – whether it is realistic and whether removal and replacement will achieve this.
Implant Removal
Implant Revision is performed under general anaesthesia. Regardless of previous incisions used for implant insertion, implants are often removed via an inframammary incision to allow visibility and access.
The incision is made in the inconspicuous crease at the base of the breast to minimise visible scarring. The choice of incision varies based on the type of implant, degree of revision required, your anatomy, and patient-surgeon preference.
If your implants are being removed due to capsular contracture, concurrent removal of the capsule (capsulectomy) with the implant is essential to prevent recurrence.
If your implants are being removed due to rupture and silicone leak, often breast tissue affected by the silicone or calcified silicone deposits may require removal to allow adequate breast screening on mammogram.
If no replacement or other concurrent surgery is being done, drains may be inserted to closed the redundant space left by absence of the implants. The incision is then sutured closed. Often the stretched breast tissue will become floppy and droopy once the implants are removed.
Breast implant Removal & Replacement
Implants can be replaced after removal. The implant size and shape, as well as the pocket in which the implants are re-inserted, are determined by the reason for removal in the first place. If replacement is for rupture, often similar implants are replaced in the same pocket. However, if implants have been removed due to capsular contracture, the implants are often replaced in a different pocket (usually under the muscle) to prevent recurrence of the contracture.
Sometimes, if implants are removed and replaced due to wrong positioning, the implants do not have to be changed, and can just be washed and re-inserted once the correct position and pocket has been created. If implants are being removed to maximise mammography screening, replacement with new implants are not recommended as the presence of implants can decrease efficacy of mammography.
Breast Implant Removal & Breast Lift
When implants have been removed, the breast tissue and skin are often stretched and can appear very droopy. Most of the breast tissue will hang low with the nipple sitting at the bottom half of the breast and pointing downwards. A breast lift at the time of implant removal can significantly improve the shape and cosmetic outcome. Often, with shortening and tailoring of the stretched breast skin, the remaining breast tissue can be tightened to re-create the volume of a normal-looking breast mound. This procedure will also not affect any future breast imaging. The trade-off of a breast lift is the larger incisions (and thus scarring) involved as part of the breast lift.
Specific Risks of Implant Revision
The decision to have implant revision surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.
The risks include:
- Unfavourable scarring
- Bleeding (hematoma)
- Infection
- Poor healing of incisions
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation which may be temporary or permanent
- Capsular contracture, which is the formation of firm scar tissue around the implant
- Implant leakage or rupture
- Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
- Anaesthetic risks
- Seromas (Fluid accumulation under skin or around implant)
- Blood clots
- Pain, which may persist
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications.
Breast implants do not impair breast health. Careful review of scientific research conducted by independent groups such as the Institute of Medicine has found no proven link between breast implants and autoimmune or other systemic diseases. Pregnancy, weight loss and menopause may influence the appearance of the breasts over time.
Most of the risks are very uncommon, and some people with particular health problems or specific breast features, may be at higher risk for specific complications. Dr Doyle will discuss this with you during your consultation if any of these risks apply to you.
Although this surgery can be an effective procedure where the benefits significantly outweigh the risks, like everything in the practice of medicine and surgery, it is not an exact science. The degree of surgical success can be altered by how each individual’s body responds to surgery and healing. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure; revision surgery may be necessary.
Be sure to ask questions: It’s very important to ask questions about your procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings and any specific concerns with Dr Doyle or any of our staff members.
Post-operative Recovery
After the operation, your breast is covered with gauze, combine and tape. You have a supportive bra put on you at the end of the procedure. The procedure is most commonly done as a day surgery procedure. A special bra should be worn for 4-6 weeks depending on the type of surgery. If implants were replaced, no underwire bra should be worn for a minimum of 3 months.
Although the breast skin and tissue are already accustomed to the presence of implants, recovering from implant revision is very similar to the recovery experienced after the initial implant surgery. Symptoms such as swelling, soreness, and stiffness are to be expected for the first week or two.
Exercise and normal activity can resume at Dr Doyle’s directions, and is dependent on the extent of your surgery. Over time, post-surgical swelling will decrease and incision lines will fade. The breasts will settle into its final shape at around 3-4 months.
Costs Associated With Implant Revision Surgery
Implant revision surgery may be covered by private health insurance when it is performed to treat implant complications such as migration, rupture, or capsular contracture. However, some policies may not cover plastic surgery of the breast in general nor complications associated with previous cosmetic surgery. Each insurance policy varies greatly. Carefully review your policy to determine coverage prior to surgery. If your insurer covers you for implant complications, it will often cover for removal +/- replacement. However, mastopexy (concurrent breast lift) is always considered cosmetic and not rebatable.
Some implants may be under a lifetime warranty. If you still have the records of your old implants, it may be worth contacting the implant company and ask about any possible reimbursement in regard to the removal and replacement of the implants concerned.
You can access our list of pricing resources to find about more about the cost of breast lift surgery:
Breast Implant Revision Surgery Gold Coast
Dr Mark Doyle is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with decades of experience helping patients achieve the look they have always desired. He understands the physical and psychological impact poorly performed surgery can have on someone. As such, he will compassionately work with you to ensure you feel well-informed and comfortable during all stages of a breast revision.
A detailed and personalised consultation with Dr Mark Doyle will be the first step; here your medical history will be discussed, your condition assessed, and detailed treatment plan will be tailored to meet your goals and needs.
For more information about breast revision surgery performed on the Gold Coast or to request a consultation, please contact us.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery Gold Coast
Dr Mark Doyle is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with decades of experience helping patients achieve the look they have always desired. He understands the physical and psychological impact poorly performed surgery can have on someone. As such, he will compassionately work with you to ensure you feel well-informed and comfortable during all stages of a breast revision.
A detailed and personalised consultation with Dr Mark Doyle will be the first step; here your medical history will be discussed, your condition assessed, and detailed treatment plan will be tailored to meet your goals and needs.
For more information about breast revision surgery performed on the Gold Coast or to request a consultation, please contact us.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plast) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience performing Breast, Body, Face and Nose surgery. Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 30+ years of experience. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are absolutely NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons in our clinic.
As a highly esteemed plastic surgeon, Dr Mark is committed to achieving the best possible results for all his breast, body, face and nose patients, both men and women.
