Deciding to undergo breast augmentation or breast reconstruction surgery is an important decision for most women. Much thought and research go into choosing a qualified surgeon, selecting the type of implant, saline or silicone, the best size and shape, and deciding on an incision site. Even with careful preparation, complications from breast augmentation and reconstruction can arise.

Dr. Gilbert Lee of Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa has been voted Top Doc in Plastic Surgery, and is highly skilled in correcting these complications.
Dr. Michael Rossi has had individuals flown from all over the country to seek his services. Earning a patient’s trust is a privilege he takes very seriously and his desire to positively affect lives is unwavering. Both Dr. Lee and Dr. Rossi are even called on to repair the unsatisfactory results of other surgeons who did not meet the aesthetic goals of the patient. The overall goal of Breast Implant Revision Surgery is to restore a youthful breast contour and appearance.

When to Consider Breast Implant Revision

• Deflated implant (saline) or rupture (a silicone implant shell leak)
• Asymmetry or uneven appearance
• Double bubble, where it looks like you have two mounds on one breast
• Implant is visible
• The implant is placed too high or too low
• Fold malposition
• Rippling
• Synmastia (Implants placed too close together creating the appearance of one continuous breast. Also called uni-boob.)
• Capsular contracture (A thick scar that forms around the implant compressing it.)
• Generally unsatisfactory results
• Changes in breast tissue as a result of weight gain/loss

In many ways, breast revision surgery can be more complicated than the original breast surgery.

Common Breast Revision Procedures

• Breast Implant Exchange – One or both implants are exchanged to give better symmetry, replace a ruptured implant, swap implant sizes, or simply provide better results.
• Capsulotomy – Incisions are made on the inside of a tightened, scarred implant pocket (capsule) to loosen the pocket and allow the implant to move freely and shift down into a more relaxed position.
• Capsulectomy – If the capsule has become calcified, the entire capsule is removed
• Mastopexy – Also called a breast lift.
• Pocket adjustment – Used in the event of bottoming out and used in conjunction with capsulotomy to tighten the pocket and prevent further sagging. Dr. Lee and Dr. Rossi may recommend the insertion of surgical mesh to further reinforce the pocket and prevent future migration of the implant.
• Fat Grafting – Used to fill asymmetries between the two breasts and correct contour abnormalities.
• Placement of Acellular Dermal Grafts – Sheets of collagen are placed within the breast to give more support and coverage of implants to prevent rippling or erosion of the implant into the skin. The ADM also supports the implants from bottoming out.

No breast surgery patient anticipates the need for a second procedure, but when such conditions occur, it is extremely important to select a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in all types of revisionary procedures. The surgeons at Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa have 36 years of combined experience in correcting and revising complications and substandard surgeries performed by other surgeons.

Additionally, most women are concerned with scarring following revision breast surgery. Dr. Lee and Dr. Rossi use advanced therapies to minimize the appearance of any scars. Depending on your particular case, you may be prescribed topical scar products, silicone sheeting and/ or laser scar treatments that help scars fade over time. Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa utilizes multiple lasers to be used to post-breast surgery revision to reduce the appearance of scars from revision surgeries.

Read More Breast Implant Revision Articles

Breast Implant Deflation Story

Are you in need of breast implant revision services in the San Diego area? Dr. Lee and Dr. Rossi are two of the top breast revision surgeons around. While you continue your research, read this story of a saline breast implant deflation.