Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Richard D’Amico & Dr. Julie Ferrauiola performs breast implant revision for many reasons, which include treating capsular contracture and other complications, addressing concerns about aging implants, and performing elective breast implant exchange. He is highly experienced in performing breast revision surgery at his Englewood, NJ practice to give patients the beautiful breasts they desire*.
To find out more about the changes possible with breast revision surgery in New Jersey with Dr. Richard D’Amico or Dr. Ferrauiola, request a consultation online or call our office at (201) 567-9595 to schedule an appointment.
What is Breast Implant Revision Surgery?
Breast revision is a surgical procedure designed to correct unsatisfactory results from previous augmentation surgery. In revision surgery with Dr. D’Amico, the goal is to correct a problem such as capsular contracture or rippling. Also, revision surgery is the term for replacing leaking or ruptured implants. There are a variety of reasons a woman would choose to have revision surgery.
Generally, revision procedures are easier than the original augmentation because Dr. D’Amico can enter through the original incisions.
Who is a Good Candidate for a breast implant revision?
If you are unhappy with the look of your breast augmentation results or experiencing a complication, a revision procedure can help you finally achieve a satisfying outcome. Other reasons for considering breast augmentation revision surgery in New Jersey include*:
- Improving capsular contracture or breast hardening with a capsulectomy or capsulotomy
- Replacing implants that have been in place for many years
- Exchanging breast implants for a different type (silicone or saline) or size
If you are otherwise healthy, you are likely to be a good candidate to have your breast implants exchanged through revision surgery*.
Why do patients opt for implant revision?
Here are the main reasons for implant revision and how Dr. D’Amico handles the surgery for each.
Changing the implant size
When a woman is unsatisfied with the size of her implants, Dr. D’Amico will enter through the original incision. If a larger implant is desired, he will increase the size of the pocket, the space in the breast to hold the implant. If the patient seeks smaller implants, he will reduce the size of the pocket with sutures to fit the smaller implants. In cases of reduction, a breast lift may be done in conjunction with the implant revision to remove any sagging tissue and possibly relocate the nipples.
Capsular contracture
The body reacts when an implant is placed. This reaction is called the “capsule” and it is made up of calcified cells and scar tissue. If this capsule becomes very thick and causes the implant to shift or the breast to feel very firm, or if there is pain from the constricting scar tissue, this is called capsular contracture. If the capsule is very calcified, Dr. D’Amico will remove it along with the implant. If it isn’t, he usually will leave it in place. If there is a rupture of a silicone implant, the capsule may contain silicone shell fragments, silicone gel, and inflammatory cells that all need to be removed prior to placing new implants.
Implant rippling
Sometimes, particularly with saline implants placed atop the chest muscle, the implants show rippling and the edges may even be able to be felt. In these cases, Dr. D’Amico enters through the original incision and replaces the implants with better muscle coverage. This may involve switching implant types and/or placing them in new breast pockets.
Implant position
Sometimes the implant pockets were created either too far away or too close together and the patient is not happy with the placement. In these cases, Dr. D’Amico will use the scar tissue from the capsule and will reconstruct new pockets for the implants in better positions.
Implant removal
When a patient decides she no longer wants to have her implants, they are removed through the same incisions. Dr. D’Amico will also remove the capsule if it is calcified and thick. He may recommend a breast lift at the same time to remove excess sagging skin and breast tissue.
Can breast revision correct asymmetry between breasts?
Asymmetry is a common reason for revision surgery. In some cases, augmentation performed by inexperienced surgeons can lead to the implants either shifting into an asymmetrical position or the placement may have created that. Dr. D’Amico can correct this and make your breasts as symmetrical as possible with revision surgery.
How It’s Done
Depending upon your reason for breast implant revision surgery, Dr. Richard D’Amico & Dr. Ferrauiola may take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours to perform your procedure. This surgery is done in our accredited surgical suite under general anesthesia, and you will go home the same day. The incision is generally made under the breast, in the fold, or through an incision around the areola. The implants are carefully removed and replaced, with adjustments made in accordance with your consultation with Dr. D’Amico & Dr. Ferrauiola.*
Recovery
The recovery time is usually fairly rapid. You will initially feel some mild discomfort, as well as some swelling and bruising. You should find that you’ll feel back to normal in about a week. Although you will see results immediately, keep in mind that some swelling will make your breasts appear slightly larger than they will be after things settle down a bit, which takes about 2 weeks.*
Do you reuse my old breast implants?
No. Revision surgery always replaces the implants. Often revision may be a desire for the patient to change from saline to silicone implants due to rippling that can occur with saline implants. If capsular contracture is the reason for the surgery, the implants were being squeezed by increasing scar tissue and the pressure could have weakened the implants even if they are not yet leaking. Also, implants have a lifespan, so replacing them with new implants, which also may have increased longevity, adds more years before you would have to have your implants replaced again.
Should I visit my original surgeon to have revision surgery?
That depends. If the reason for your desire to have revision is due to a lack of technique or different goals between you and that surgeon — problems such as implant shifting or poor breast shape due to poor technique — then you definitely should not return to that surgeon to correct his or her prior work. However, if your implants are leaking or are forming excess scar tissue around them in capsular contracture, those aren’t in any way due to your surgeon. In those types of cases, if you were satisfied with your original surgery and you had a good rapport with your surgeon then you should return for revision.
How long should I wait before having implant revision surgery?
Dr. D’Amico advises patients looking to have him perform a revision procedure to wait 6 months to one full year before opting to make a change. This allows any swelling to fully subside and for the implants to settle.
How much does breast revision surgery cost?
That depends. The reasons for revision differ and so does the price. When you come in for your consultation, once Dr. D’Amico understands your reasons for this procedure, we can give you an estimate of what it will cost to make the revisions.
Getting Started
The first step in achieving your cosmetic goals is to request a consultation with Dr. D’Amico & Dr. Ferrauiola, serving the New York metro area. He enjoys spending time with you one-on-one to understand your objectives and give his professional opinion about the procedures that are best for you. You will never feel pressured to choose surgery and you will even have a second consultation visit (included with your fee) to bring along family or loved ones and ask follow-up questions. The consultation fee is applied to any surgical procedure you choose. We are also happy to schedule appointments by phone.
* = Results may vary
