How Soon After Breast Augmentation Can I Get a Revision?

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When women choose breast augmentation, few of them consider the possibility of needing a revision (or secondary breast surgery). That being said, breast revision surgery is a common procedure to adjust or correct the results achieved with initial breast augmentation.

So, if you are unhappy with the look, feel, or the health of your augmented breasts, how soon can you choose to go back under the knife?

Fortunately, it may not be as long as you may think. In fact, women can return for a revision procedure in less than a year.

Why Do Women Choose Breast Revision?

The reasons why women choose breast revision are as varied as the women who choose breast augmentation in the first place. While some women turn to the procedure to adjust the size or shape of their implants, others undergo this procedure of necessity.

Some of the most common reasons for secondary breast surgery include the following:

• Wanting larger implants
• Wanting smaller implants
• Wanting to remove the implants entirely
• Capsular contracture (when the scar tissue hardens and squeezes the implant)
• Implant rupture or leakage
• Implant displacement (including double bubble deformity, bottoming out, or symmastia)

When Can I Opt for Secondary Breast Augmentation?

Most women can safely undergo breast revision within six months of their breast augmentation. This is generally enough time for all swelling and bruising to subside and for the implants to settle. 

If there is a complication with the implant sooner than that, you may even be able to consider a second procedure before that time.

How Is Breast Revision Performed?

Breast revision can be a very simple implant “swap,” or it can be fairly complex. This will depend on the reasons for your second surgery and the state of your breasts. 

When the patient simply wants to increase the size of her healthy implants (but has fairly elastic breast tissue), the original implants can be removed and replaced with new ones. This technique can often be performed using the incisions from the initial breast augmentation. 

When women wish to downsize their implants for smaller ones, a breast lift may be necessary to ensure that the breasts remain firm and perky.

When there is an implant complication, such as capsular contracture or a ruptured silicone implant, a total or en bloc capsulectomy may be required with or without a breast lift. During a capsulectomy, the scar tissue surrounding the implant is also removed, and the breast pocket is cleaned.

During a total capsulectomy, the scar tissue and implants are removed in pieces; in an en bloc capsulectomy, the scar tissue and implant are removed in one piece.

Is It Guaranteed That I Will Need a Revision?

While many women who undergo breast augmentation early in life eventually decide to have another procedure, there is no guarantee that you will need one if your breast implants remain healthy and you are pleased with their aesthetic appearance.

Interested in Breast Revision in High Point, NC?

If you want or need to consider a breast revision procedure, contact Dr. Willard and the skilled team at Piedmont Plastic Surgery by calling our offices at (336) 886-1667 or filling out our online contact form.