Breast Revision

Breast Revision in NJ | Spiro Plastic Surgery

Breast revision surgery is a solution for women who are looking to change the type or size of their implants or who are experiencing problems after a previous breast augmentation, lift, or attempted revision done elsewhere. During the procedure, I remove or replace implants for aesthetic or medical reasons. When considering breast revision surgery, it is vital to choose a plastic surgeon with the skill and experience needed to correct the issue safely and give you the results you’re looking for. With 27 years of experience, I specialize in correcting prior reconstructive or cosmetic breast surgery to help make you feel more confident about your appearance!

Breast revision surgery is a highly customized procedure, and, to me, every patient is unique and one of a kind. I combine comprehensive medical expertise with an artist’s vision in every surgical plan and procedure to optimize each result. Our reputation has extended so far that patients have traveled here from more than 25 states and 17 different countries. We strive to provide every patient with excellent service and outcomes.

To learn more about how a New Jersey breast revision can improve your appearance, call (973) 736-5907 or contact us today.

Breast Revision Gallery

Though the prospect of repeat surgery can be discouraging, there is a solution for everyone! View our breast revision surgery before-and-after gallery to see our patients’ transformative results.

Why You Might Consider or Require Breast Revision Surgery

Many women choose breast revision surgery for personal reasons. These can include a desire for:

  • Larger or smaller breasts
  • Better aesthetic outcome after breast implant surgery done elsewhere
  • A different implant material – for example, to exchange silicone for saline or vice versa
  • Corrections to changes that have occurred over time in breast size, shape, or position, including persistent sag 
  • Changes to breasts after pregnancy or breastfeeding

Other women consider or require breast revision surgery to correct problems with the original implants. These problems can including:

  • Asymmetry: The breasts do not match in size, shape, or position
  • Implant shift: Implants have moved up, down, or toward the center or sides of the chest
  • Rupture or leakage: Known or suspected rupture or leakage from both saline or silicone implants.
  • Capsular contracture: A thickening and hardening of the scar tissue that naturally forms around implants, which can cause pain and distort the breast shape
  • Symmastia:  This aesthetic defect results in the breasts appearing as one instead of two defined breasts

Meet Scott SpiRo, M.D., F.A.C.S.

SURGEON BY TRADE

I am a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast cancer reconstructive surgery and cosmetic procedures of the breast, body, and face. To me, every patient is unique and deserves results tailored to their concerns. You can understand my approach to care by reviewing the testimonials and before and after galleries on this site and learning about the many “Top Doctor” awards I have won.

ARTIST AT HEART

Art is my other passion, and my artist’s vision guides my work as a surgeon. I have done technical illustrations for many journal articles, book chapters, and patient resource pamphlets for national societies. I am also an accomplished painter, sculptor, and photographer. When you visit our office, you’ll see a gallery of reproductions of many of my pieces in oil, graphite, and photography.

Breast Implant Revision Candidates

You may be a good candidate for breast revision surgery if you have breast implants and you: 

  • Have had complications from previous breast surgery, such as rupture or migration of an implant or capsular contracture
  • Would like to change your breast size or shape, including breast lift procedures
  • Are interested in swapping saline for silicone, or vice versa

Your desire for aesthetic changes might be due to changes that have occurred in your body or breasts over time or to evolving ideals of body proportions. In some cases, skilled breast revision surgery is necessary when a previous procedure performed by another surgeon has failed to correct a problem.

Ideal candidates for breast revision:

  • Are physically healthy
  • Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Are not significantly overweight
  • Have realistic expectations for your surgical outcomes 

You must be free from all nicotine, cannabinoids, and ADHD medications for six weeks before and after surgery.

What to Expect During a Breast Implant Revision Consultation

During your breast revision consultation, I will talk to you about your surgical goals, previous medical conditions or surgeries, current medications, and drug allergies. My team and I will also go over any potential risks and complications of the procedure and the expected outcome. We will examine your existing implants to determine the best way to correct any problems and achieve your aesthetic goals.

Breast Revision Options

As with your original breast augmentation procedure, breast implant revision involves choices about the size, shape, and type of implant, implant placement, and incision location. During your consultation, I will guide and advise you through all these decisions. Here’s a brief overview of the options.

Implant types

Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution. Meanwhile, silicone implants are a cohesive silicone gel. Both have unique pros and cons, which I’ll explain in detail. “Gummy bear” implants use a thickened form of silicone that holds its shape (stable) and doesn’t leak if the shell ruptures. 

Implant shapes and sizes

Shaped implants require texturing of the surface.  I do not use textured implants.

Implant placement

I can place your implants above your pectoral muscles, within your breast tissue, or below your chest muscles. The best choice for you will depend on your anatomy and lifestyle.

Incision location

I can make the incisions for your breast implant revision in the creases below each breast. In most cases, I follow the previous incision pattern to avoid additional scarring.

additional considerations in breast implant revision

  • Implant removal without replacement  Some women choose not to have their implants replaced. In these cases, I can reshape your breasts with a breast lift. I perform an auto-augmentation breast lift to add volume without implants. I may use fat transfer to naturally replace some of the shape and projection lost with implant removal.
  • Biologic Dermal Slings and Bioabsorbable Slings:  I may place a Biologic tissue graft or bioabsorbable sling to support this supportive tissue within your breasts to hold the new implants in place if your natural tissue doesn’t provide sufficient stability. For example, I may use an acellular dermal matrix/ otherwise known as a tissue graft or dermal sling. When removing implants to correct capsular contracture and reduce the risk of this complication recurring. I may use a bioabsorbable sling in the same manner.  These types of slings dissolve after about 1.5 years but provide lasting support.  They are made from material similar to dissolvable suture material.

Preparing for Breast Revision Surgery with Dr. Spiro

Preparing for breast revision surgery will require you to stop taking specific medications that can increase the risk of complications such as bleeding and healing delays, receive an additional medical evaluation, and avoid taking over-the-counter drugs and supplements. If you smoke, vape, or use any nicotine, cannabinoid, and/or ADHD medication, you must be willing to stop for several weeks before and after your surgery. After your surgery, you won’t be alert enough to drive. You must coordinate a ride to and from our outpatient surgical center.

Breast Implant Revision Surgery in New Jersey

I perform breast implant revisions using general anesthesia. Based on my recommendations during your initial consultation, I will customize your breast revision surgery to meet your desired goals. Surgery can involve improving the breast shape, size, or symmetry and/or correcting an unsatisfying outcome of a previous surgery. Depending on your case, I will replace the original implants with a different size, shape, or material and will correct any malformation. If you choose to remove your implants without replacing them, I can reshape your breasts with a breast lift, with the option of using your natural tissue for auto-augmentation.

Breast Implant Revision Recovery

Following surgery, I apply dressings and bandages to your incisions and place a small tube under your skin to drain any excess fluid or blood. My team and I will provide you with specific post-operative instructions to follow, including concerns to look out for and when to make a follow-up appointment. While recovery time from a breast implant revision varies based on your surgery, most of our patients return to their typical activities within two weeks. Your breasts will appear more natural and softer than ever after your recovery!

Breast Implant Revision Results

To ensure optimal results, I tailor each breast revision to align with my patients’ unique needs. You can expect to see an ultimate improvement in a few months when the new implants have settled and the last of the swelling has subsided. If imperfections from your previous surgery have caused you to lose self-confidence, you can also look forward to feeling renewed pride in your body and a boost in self-esteem. 

Over time, your breasts will continue to age, which can influence their appearance. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, keeping your weight stable, and avoiding targeted chest exercises will ensure you remain satisfied with your breasts.

Breast Revision FAQs

When a saline implant leaks, it deflates, and the breast loses its added volume. Since your body will naturally absorb the saline solution, there are no adverse health effects, but the cosmetic effect will be noticeable.

When a silicone implant ruptures or leaks, the breast appearance doesn’t typically change, but implant removal will prevent the leaked silicone from spreading into the surrounding tissue over time. The FDA recommends regular ultrasounds and MRIs for women with silicone implants, to asses implant integrity.

Implants don’t need to be replaced on a schedule, and the commonly held belief that they need to be replaced after 10 years is not accurate. Some implants will last for 20 years or more, while some will fail after just a few years. Because there’s so much variation, it’s important to have your implants examined regularly by a healthcare professional.

It’s important to let your body heal after your original augmentation procedure to allow all post-operative swelling to disappear. At that time, you should see the final results of your breast augmentation. For these reasons, you should wait at least six months after your initial augmentation before considering revision for cosmetic reasons. 

There may be medical reasons for intervening before six months, such as pain or discomfort or complications from infection. These kinds of problems, of course, require immediate attention.

The body naturally forms a layer of scar tissue, or “capsule,” around all implanted medical devices, including breast implants. In most cases, the scar tissue remains relatively thin and flexible. However, it sometimes hardens and thickens in a painful condition known as capsular contracture, which can put pressure on the implants and distort their shape. 

To alleviate the concerns associated with capsular contracture, I remove some or all of the hardened scar tissue during a breast revision procedure. I also may use a dermal or bioabsorbable graft/sling to help prevent the reformation of capsular contracture.

Left untreated, capsular contracture can grow worse over time. The scar tissue can continue to thicken and harden, increasing pressure on the implant and the likelihood of discomfort, pain, and distorted breast shape.

Changing to smaller implants can result in loose skin and sagging breasts, especially if there’s a considerable difference in implant size with the revision. I will assess the likelihood of loose skin after revision as part of our consultation and may recommend a breast lift as part of the procedure to ensure attractive and natural-looking results.

You can choose to have your implants removed without replacement. Many women do, preferring to return to their pre-augmentation figure. In some cases, especially when larger implants are removed, this can leave the breasts looking hollow or deflated, and sometimes saggy, a problem that can be prevented by combining a breast lift with implant removal.

I almost always follow the same incision lines used in the original augmentation procedure, so my breast revisions may not result in new scars. If you have a breast lift as part of the revision procedure, you may need new incisions. I will carefully hide these within your natural breast contours, where the resulting scars will be almost invisible.  After surgery, we will monitor your healing closely and make personalized recommendations for scar management.

Request a consultation with Dr. Spiro today!

Every breast revision procedure is customized to the needs, concerns, and wishes of the patient. The costs of the surgery vary with the unique aspects of the procedure, including the type of implant being removed or replaced, whether the surrounding breast tissue must be removed, and whether the breast is being reshaped with a breast lift procedure. As part of your consultation, I will explain all the costs of the procedure so that you can make your decision with a full understanding of what to expect.

In general, insurance does not cover cosmetic surgery. Exceptions for original breast augmentation procedures include breast reconstruction after mastectomy or traumatic injury. Exceptions for breast revision can, in some cases, include surgery to correct capsular contracture, ruptured silicone implants, or other complications, which may be deemed medically necessary. Even then, only part of the procedure’s cost may be covered. I always encourage patients to consult with their insurance provider to understand what their insurance will or will not cover.

Request a consultation with Dr. Spiro today!

 

Dr. Scott Spiro – New Jersey’s Leading Breast Revision Surgeon

Dr. Spiro is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Spiro Plastic Surgery in West Orange, NJ, specializing in breast revision surgery. Call us at (973) 736-5907 or reach out online to learn more.

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Graphite/Pencil Hybrid-Painting by Dr. Scott Spiro