If you have any problems (whether medical or cosmetic) about your breast implants, please schedule a consultation with Kevin R. Hanz, M.D. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery to talk about your goals and to determine your personalized plan for breast revision surgery. Whether it’s scar tissue, drooping or sagging, rippling, or breast asymmetry, Dr. Hanz can help repair the problem and create a more pleasing and properly functioning outcome through breast revision. This procedure can also help if you are wanting to alter the implant style, size, or address any other aspect of your breasts.

You should consider a breast revision if you’re dissatisfied with previous breast surgery results, experiencing implant issues, noticing changes in breast appearance over time, dealing with breast asymmetry, facing health concerns related to implants, or desiring a different breast size or type. Dr. Hanz will evaluate your situation during a consultation and work with you to create a personalized plan for your breast revision surgery.

While perfectly symmetrical breasts are rare, there are some cases when asymmetrical breasts cause self-consciousness, embarrassment, or issues fitting into swimwear or undergarments properly. In these cases, a woman might want a breast revision due to the asymmetry. Asymmetry in the breasts occurs when the implant sizes look out of balance. This may be due to an incorrect size implant, sagging or drooping on one side, a difference in how each breast healed, or something else entirely. Dr. Hanz will perform an in-depth evaluation to determine the cause of the asymmetry, then he will decide on a surgical plan to correct the issue, finally providing you with symmetrical breast implants.

Bottoming out is a condition that may happen if one or both implants drop too low. Sometimes, this is a placement issue from the first treatment, or sometimes the underlying tissue is too weak or the skin can’t hold the implant in place, causing the implant to sink to the lower part of the breast. Common signs of bottoming out are:

• A larger distance between the nipple and inframammary fold (where the breast and chest meet)
• A bulging of the bottom of the breast
• Nipples that face upward rather than forward

To modify this, Dr. Hanz may consider a different placement approach. For some patients, tissue grafting most likely will be needed, as well as a surgically produced pocket to fit the new implant. For many patients, going to a silicone implant can solve this issue.

Sometimes, breast revision surgery is as simple as getting a different size breast implant. During the first surgery, you may have opted to get an implant size that ended up being too small or too big that you’d now like to adjust. A different breast implant size can be used to give you the outcome you had been hoping for originally.

It could also be that after the breast implants settled and healed, over time, they altered in size. In a case like this, you may choose to have a breast revision completed. If you feel like you want breast revision surgery because you are unpleased with the size of your breast implants, contact Kevin R. Hanz, M.D. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Whether he performed your first breast implants or not, Dr. Hanz would be happy to discuss your goals and concerns.

Capsular contracture is the term used when the soft tissue around the breast implant becomes hard and thick. Although many implant surgeries do result in some internal scar tissue, most individuals will never know.

However, in some situations, the hardening tissue could alter the implant placement, which can change the breast shape and implant functionality, creating an undesirable outcome or even pain when the breast is touched. While there is no known cause necessarily for capsular contracture, some physicians believe it could be caused in women who have bodies that are just prone to reacting more to trauma, creating more scar tissue.

The only known way to get rid of the capsular contracture is by surgically removing the implant and capsule and have another implant inserted. If you think you may be experiencing capsular contracture, contact Kevin R. Hanz, M.D. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for a review today.

It is somewhat standard for implants to ripple, and most women don’t notice any visible rippling on their breasts. This irregularity typically forms near the edge of the implant. In some cases, the rippling may be so severe that it is noticeable on the breast. There are a few reasons a woman might have rippling in her breast implant:

• There is not enough tissue between the implant and the breast
• The scar around the implant becomes larger than the implant itself
• The implant is either over or under filled
• The implant is round

Rippling is generally found in women who are of low body weight and is more common in round and saline implants. Often, this condition can be fixed by simply changing to a silicone implant. If you notice rippling on your breast(s), Kevin R. Hanz, M.D. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery would be happy to meet with you to discuss how you can reach your aesthetic goals.

While it is uncommon, implant rupture can occur. Implant rupture can be caused by normal aging of the implant, a car accident or other trauma, or could even be due to a needle insertion during a biopsy. When a saline implant ruptures, the implant will leak out within about two days, causing a visible deflated appearance.

Meanwhile, if an implant made of silicone ruptures, it is only seen through an MRI. Whether silicone or saline, if a rupture happens, revision surgery will be needed.

Typically, even if only one implant has ruptured, Dr. Hanz may suggest replacing both of them. Usually, the new implants can be inserted at the same time as the old ones are removed; however, it may be suggested to break this into two surgeries, depending on the patient. If you think you’ve had an implant rupture, contact Kevin R. Hanz, M.D. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery today.

Symmastia is when the breast pockets detach and come together and form one pocket in the center of the chest. While rare, this condition takes place when breast implants are inserted and placed too closely together.

Most often, this is because the breast implant chosen was the wrong width, shape, or size. It can sometimes also occur when too much tissue is removed near the sternum during a mastectomy.

A revision treatment from Kevin R. Hanz, M.D. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery will correct this problem. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hanz will meet with you to discuss your aesthetic goals, review your symmastia, and use his skill and expertise to select an implant that fits your body type and looks pleasing to the eye.

After a brief observation period following your surgery, you will be sent home to begin your recovery. Recovery from a revision surgery varies, depending on what is involved in your specific surgery.

Any type of revision that requires grafting or complex reconstruction will need a longer recovery, possibly taking several months. You should begin to see the results when the swelling starts to disappear.

Dr. Hanz or someone on his team will go over what you can expect during your recovery, plus recommendations to help speed your healing. You should go to your follow-up appointments as directed so Dr. Hanz can assess your recovery and results.

We understand that cost is an important consideration. However, it’s important to note that the cost of a breast revision can vary widely depending on individual circumstances. Each case is unique, and the specific requirements for your surgery will be determined during a personal consultation with Dr. Hanz. During this consultation, Dr. Hanz will evaluate your needs and goals, allowing us to provide you with a tailored treatment plan and a clear understanding of the associated costs. Our focus is on delivering the best possible outcome for your unique situation while ensuring transparency regarding pricing and financing options..

Dr. Hanz can perform your revision surgery, even if he was not the surgeon who performed your breast augmentation.

Revision surgery can be more difficult compared to augmentation if you want significant changes or have problems, which is why it is best to choose a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Hanz, who has years of advanced training and experience in breast surgery.

Dr. Hanz also welcomes his patients to come back to Kevin R. Hanz, M.D. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for breast revision surgery after their original breast augmentation if they notice an issue or would like a change.

If you are having your implants exchanged or removed, you may need to have excess skin removed as well.

Dr. Hanz can discuss the need for a breast lift to remove loose skin if necessary. If you lose a significant amount of weight, become pregnant, or breastfeed after breast augmentation, a breast revision with a lift can help you get better results.

When possible, Dr. Hanz will make incisions for revision surgery in the original augmentation incisions.

However, if this isn’t possible, he will place the new incisions where they will be less visible. Dr. Hanz or a member of his team will explain scar care management so your incisions heal smoothly and blend with your skin.

While implants are long-lasting, they will need to be replaced eventually. After augmentation, it’s important to have your implants checked at least once a year so Dr. Hanz can help you decide if your implants should be exchanged.

With so many advances in medical technology, you may prefer the new implant types and shapes to get a better look during breast revision surgery.