Breast Revision in Houston, TX

Breast augmentation using implants is one of the most effective cosmetic procedures in America, and in many cases creates terrific outcomes. Unfortunately, sometimes a patient can be dissatisfied with the appearance of their breasts and at some point may want breast revision treatment. Keep in mind not all revision treatments are because of practitioner error. While few breast augmentations do end with an unpleasing outcome, there are individuals who wish to have a larger or smaller implant, while some may have a visible irregularity and would like to have the implant corrected or removed altogether. Furthermore, some women must have revision treatment for a particular condition. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Chang is pleased to offer breast revision surgery at Timeless Plastic Surgery in Sugar Land, TX so that the correct outcome is attained. To schedule a consult, call our office today.

People select breast revision procedures at Timeless Plastic Surgery for several reasons. Whether individuals hope to alter the size of implants or address problems from a previous surgery, breast revision surgery should help you reach the appearance you are going for with some wonderful benefits, like:

• Increases or decreases implant volume
• Enhances breast size and firmness
• Takes out unwanted implants for a simplified appearance
• Upgrades affected or deflated implants
• Adjust the location of implants (if needed)
• Addresses issues like breast imbalance, rippling, implant moving, and so on
• Resolves concern about prior procedures
• Better comprehensive breast aesthetic and appearance
• Gets rid of scar tissue
• Removes pain and discomfort
• Boosts self-esteem and self-image

Should you have any issues (either medical or aesthetic) after breast augmentation surgery, please make a consultative appointment with Dr. Chang to go over your wants and needs and to develop your personalized plan for breast revision surgery. Whether it's scar tissue, drooping or sagging, ripples under the skin, or breast asymmetry, revision surgery can help correct the irregularity and result in a more normal and properly functioning outcome. This operation may also be appropriate if you are wanting to alter the implant style, size, or address another aspect of your breasts.

Breast revision surgery either removes an implant that is defective or not functioning or is no longer desired. Breast revision surgery may also be performed to change implant size or go from an implant to a fat transfer (or vice versa). There are other common situations where a revision treatment is desired or required.

This condition occurs when the implant sizes look disproportionate. This may be due to an incorrect implant size, or sagging on one side, or a different condition that may cause asymmetry. An in-depth evaluation would need to take place to determine what is leading to the asymmetry, then a revision surgery would be needed to resolve the problem, and finally, a new set of breast implants would be positioned to create a symmetrical result.

This is a problem that happens if one or both implants "bottom out" or drop too low. Sometimes this is a case of a positioning error from the original breast augmentation surgery. To modify this, a different placement technique may be needed. For some patients, tissue grafting most likely will be needed, in addition to a surgically formed pocket to fit the new implant. For many patients, going to a silicone breast implant usually will solve this issue.

Sometimes a secondary breast surgery is as straightforward as getting a smaller or larger size breast implant. During the first surgery, you may have opted to go too conservative or gone a bit too large. A different implant size can be placed to reach the desired appearance.

This is known as scar tissue hardening, occurring when the delicate tissue that surrounds the saline or silicone implant becomes thick and hard. Although many implant surgeries do create some internal scar tissue, most women will never see or feel it. In some circumstances, the hardening tissue could interfere with implant placement, which can change the breast shape and implant functionality and deliver an undesirable outcome. Capsular contracture surgery to eliminate scarring would be recommended.

This condition occurs when you see obvious rippling and wrinkles under the skin. This irregularity typically forms just along the edging of the implant. Rippling is generally found in patients who are of low body weight. Many times, this issue can be fixed by simply switching to a silicone breast implant.

Even though this represents a small percent of cases, breast implant rupture can possibly occur. When a saline implant type ruptures, the implant will deflate almost immediately. For this reason, a visible flattening will be noticeable. Meanwhile, if the implant is silicone based and ruptures, it is only seen via an MRI. Whether silicone or saline, when a rupture occurs, a replacement procedure will be required.

Symmastia is a condition that takes place when breast implants are inserted and placed too closely together. Most often, this is because the breast implant used was the incorrect shape and width. A revision treatment will repair this problem by using an implant that fits your frame and looks pleasing to the eye.

Following your procedure and a brief observation period, you can go home to begin your recovery. Downtime from a revision surgery varies depending on what is involved in your treatment plan. Surgery that warrants complex revision techniques will need a longer recovery that could possibly last up to 6 – 8 weeks. You should slowly start to see your surgical results when the bruising and swelling start to disappear. Dr. Chang will discuss what should be expected while you recover, plus recommendations to help you heal faster. You should go to follow-up visits as often as directed so we can monitor your healing and results.

How much does breast revision surgery cost?
Your cost for breast revision surgery will vary based on the complexity of your procedure. In your consultation, we will listen carefully to your needs and goals before completing a physical examination of your implants. After this, we will talk about your options before creating your treatment plan. The total cost of revision surgery will be based on the complexity of the procedure, plus your new implants. It's better to concentrate on getting great results by finding a skilled plastic surgeon instead of the cheapest surgeon. As a way to help make your procedure affordable, Timeless Plastic Surgery accepts many different payments and we will give you information on low-interest financing.

What if Dr. Chang wasn't my original surgeon?
Dr. Chang can perform your revision surgery even if they were not the surgeons who did your initial breast augmentation. Revision surgery is sometimes more difficult compared to augmentation surgery, especially if you want significant changes or have problems. That is why it is best to find a plastic surgeon like Dr. Chang who has advanced training and experience in breast surgery. We also welcome patients to come back to Timeless Plastic Surgery for revision surgery after their initial augmentation if they notice an issue or would like new implants.

What about loose skin?
When you are getting your implants exchanged or removed, you may want to have excess skin removed as well. After hearing your goals and evaluating your current implants, we can discuss adding a breast lift to remove sagging skin. If you lose a lot of weight, get pregnant, or breastfeed after augmentation surgery, a revision with a lift gives you better results.

Will there be new scars?
When possible, Dr. Chang will make incisions for revision surgery in the original augmentation site. If this isn't possible, they will place the revision incisions where they are least visible. Revision surgery may use a transaxillary incision (in the armpit), a periareolar incision (along the lower border of the areola), an inframammary incision (beneath the breast fold), or TUBA incision (through the belly button). A member of our team will explain scar care instructions so your incisions heal smoothly and blend with your skin.

Do I have to change my implants?
Although implants are long lasting, they do require replacement eventually. Once you've had augmentation surgery, it's important to get your implants examined at least once a year so we can help you determine if your implants need to be exchanged. With frequent advances in medical technology, you may prefer the new implant types and shapes to get a better outcome from breast revision surgery.

Revision surgery for breast implants is a specialized procedure tailored for your aesthetic goals. If you notice a visible defect with your breast augmentation results or desire a different outcome, we invite you to get in touch with our Sugar Land, TX office to make your appointment at Timeless Plastic Surgery. There are so many factors to consider and we will perform a full physical assessment, create your revision treatment plan, and discuss realistic outcome expectations.