Breast Revision
Breast revision surgery is a generic term used to describe a spectrum of procedures aimed at correcting breast symmetry, or dissatisfaction following a previous cosmetic or reconstructive breast procedure.
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Common Reasons for Revision Surgery Following Breast Surgery
Malposition
Shifting of implants that causes the breasts to appear distorted or asymmetric is called malposition. When malposition occurs, it is usually because the implants “bottom out” or fall beneath the breast fold. Shifting of the implants to the side when lying flat is also common. In rarer circumstances, the breast implants may touch in the midline (symmastia) causing an unnatural appearance.
Capsular Contracture
Any time a foreign material is placed in the body, the body attempts to surround it with scar. This is a very natural response to any foreign body. In the case of a breast implant, this scar tissue is called a “capsule”. Capsular contracture occurs, often for unknown reasons, when the implant capsule slowly hardens and squeezes down on the implant. The severity of capsular contracture ranges from subtle firmness of the implant, to a rock-hard implant that is malpositioned and even painful.
Ruptured Implant
As implant technology has improved, the rate of rupture (leak) has decreased significantly. While both saline and silicone implants can rupture, they present in very different ways. When a saline implant ruptures, the sterile salt water leaks out and is absorbed by your body causing the implant to deflate (think flat tire). This is usually immediately noticeable as a loss of breast volume. When a silicone implant ruptures, it may not be noticeable because the silicone is not absorbed by the body, a so-called “silent rupture”. Most silicone implant ruptures are detected on imaging studies (mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs) or may present as capsular contracture.
Animation Deformity
An animation deformity occurs when the push-up muscles of the chest wall (pectoralis major) pulls on the implants. This causes the implants to shift upwards and out of position when flexing these muscles. It also may cause very unnatural dimpling of the overlying breast skin.
Contour Irregularities Or Volume Loss
Most commonly seen following breast reconstruction surgery, contour irregularities can develop anywhere on the breast. Contour irregularities are usually treated with fat grafting, which smooths the breast contour by adding subcutaneous (fat) tissue volume.
Desired Size Change Or Implant Removal
At some point it may be desired to increase or decrease the size of one’s implants, or remove them altogether.
Breast Revision FAQs
Q. Will a breast revision be covered by insurance?
A. If one’s original breast surgery was cosmetic in nature, then any revision surgery will not be covered by insurance. If your original breast surgery was reconstructive in nature, then insurance will most likely cover your revision depending on the revision that is being performed.