Breast Implant Revision

Breast implant revisions can be intimidating. Having the right breast implant revision specialist, a proven expert, makes all the difference.

There are several reasons why a breast augmentation or implant revision surgery may be required. While the procedure is often more complicated than the original placement surgery, having an expert breast revision surgeon on your team can make all the difference. Dr. Tracy Pfeifer is a board-certified plastic surgeon that is trained and experienced in the most advanced aesthetic surgical procedures currently available and she is one of the best and most experienced breast augmentation revision surgeons in the NYC area.

With Dr. Pfeifer on your side, you know you are in good hands.

Breast augmentation revision surgery is the process of replacing your current breast implants with new ones. A breast implant revision procedure is often required when a patient is unhappy with the aesthetic appearance or size of their implants. This procedure may also be required should the implant become defective or move out of place.

Patients often opt-in for a breast revision because they are unhappy with the results of their initial surgery. Many situations or outcomes may require a breast augmentation redo, including:

  • The deflation of saline implants – this can be caused by a faulty implant, too much compression, or overfilling or underfilling of the implant.
  • Leaking or ruptured silicone implants – in most cases due to folding of the implant leading to thinning of the shell. Can also result from instrument damage during the initial placement procedure..
  • Implant displacement/shifting – one or both implants can shift post-surgery for many reasons, requiring them to be redone. This is common with smooth implants and patients typically describe the implant “falling off to the side” or being under their armpit.
  • A change in the patient’s natural breast tissue volume – This can lead to the breast being either too small, too large or a loss of fullness in the top half of the breast. Rippling of the implant may become noticeable if the breast tissue thins. Breast tissue can also sag over time, leading to a disharmony between the position of the implant and the overlying breast tissue.
  • Weight loss or gain – this can affect implants in several ways, including stretching and sagging.
  • The build-up of scar tissue – the naturally forming capsule around the implant can become thick and tight, called capsular contracture. Capsular contracture results in the implant feeling firm instead of soft. It can also compress the implant, causing malposition and a distorted shape. hard to the touch.

Despite aesthetic plastic surgeons’ best efforts, breast augmentation patients can be left feeling dissatisfied by their procedures. While many professionals do a capable job of placing breast implants, changes can and do occur over time.Most of these implant related issues can be corrected. The surgery is challenging and Dr. Pfeifer makes sure that every patient understands what is possible.

Dr. Tracy Pfeifer is a leading authority on aesthetic breast surgeries of all types. If you believe you could be a possible candidate for breast implant revision, then she is the expert you’ll want to consult in the NYC area.

Problem:
Rippling
Problem:
Sagging Implants
Problem:
Sagging Nipples

See a Breast Revision Example:
Correction of Implant Displacement

One of the most common complications of breast augmentations that include breast implants is capsular contracture.

This condition can result in several complications, including:

  • Painful breasts
  • Hard breasts
  • Distorted breast size/shape
  • Restricted range of motion

A typical breast implant surgery results in the body producing tissue that surrounds the implants. This tissue is known as a capsule and is typically thin – almost transparent. This capsule is larger than the actual implant, allowing room for movement.

However, in some cases, about 3-7% of the time, the capsule becomes thicker and stiff. Instead of the capsule tissue remaining thin, it thickens and tightens, decreasing the available space around the implant. This can lead to the breast feeling firm, cause the implant diameter to become a sphere, thus distorting the shape and can also push the implant closer to the collar bone. It can also give a “shelf-like” appearance to the upper breast.

Depending on the severity of capsular contracture, a breast implant revision may be the best course of treatment. Capsular contracture is described by grade, Grade I, II, III or IV. Typically patients with Grade I or II capsular contracture do not request or need a revision. Capsular contracture is not medically unsafe. If the capsular contracture becomes Grade III or IV, this now affects the aesthetic result or may lead to a feeling of discomfort or pain. In these situations patients request a revision. It is important to understand that the capsule grade does not necessarily progress. You may have a Grade II capsular contracture that is stable and unchanged for years. Capsular contracture may result from a small amount of bacteria associated with the implant. During the initial breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Pfeifer follows a 15 point plan to reduce the chance of capsular contracture to as close to zero as possible. This same meticulous attention to detail is necessary during surgery to correct capsular contracture. This is very important in order to avoid recurrent capsular contracture. Your surgeon should discuss all the available options with you before a final decision is made. In New York City, Dr. Pfeifer is experienced and an expert in surgical treatment for capsular contracture. Should you suspect that you are suffering from capsular contracture, please call our office to schedule a consultation. In some cases, insurance may partially cover the cost of removing the capsule and some of the implant warranties may also offer partial coverage and/or replacement of the implant.

Our patients have seen outstanding results thanks to implant revision surgery.

The Results Speak for Themselves

I have encountered many doctors in my 26 years, and Dr. Pfeifer is "the most" genuinely concerned, talented, and gifted doctor I have met so far. Dr. Pfeifer should be commended for not only the wonderful work she did but for her warm heart that goes along with the talent that she has.

I’m sure you know how important the work you do is to women. I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am that I had this surgery and that you did such a wonderful job.

- breast augmentation revision patient

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When it comes to breast revision surgery, there is often a bit of confusion surrounding which type of procedure best fits each patient’s needs.

It's crucial to remember that no two patients are alike and that no solution is right for everyone. Discuss all options with your aesthetic plastic surgeon before deciding what may be best for you.

Breast revision and replacement is typically required because a patient is unhappy with the results of their augmentation. For example, a patient who has an implant that is displaced. Another example is a woman with an implant who does not like the shape of the breast. These patients typically were unhappy with the size and/or shape of their breast before surgery. However, after surgery they are not thrilled with the result. So these patients would like a revision with reaugmentation, assuming that their goals can be realistically acheived. In short, they would like to keep an implant because they know how they felt without one, but only if the result they are looking for can be achieved. This can also be the solution for those withcapsular contracture.

The goal of breast revision surgery is to remove the old implants, correct the problem such as displacement or capsular contracture, and replace them with new implants to improve the final appearance of the breasts. The new implants needs to be carefully selected to achieve the aesthetic goal. This is crucially important. There are four breast implant brands approved for use by the FDA in the United States. Dr. Pfeifer is familiar with all of them and uses implants made by Sientra, Mentor and Allergan. There are many options in terms of type of silicone gel, dimensions of the implants as well as shape and fill volume. These different implant characteristics determine how the breast will look and have implications for future breast implant issues. Choosing the best implant fro a given patient and her goals is vitally important. Dr. Pfeifer is known for exercising special care to selecting the best implant for each and every patient. This is important in all revision surgeries and especially important for patients with breast asymmetry and/or tuberous breast.

Breast implant removal surgery is an option for those who decide that implants aren't for them or who have had one too many complications as a result of their implants. What makes this procedure different from revision and replacement procedures is that the patient is opting not to have a new implant put in. In these situations, the question is whether or not a breast lift surgery is recommended to shape the breast. In many cases, I find the implants can be removed without doing a lift. An easy way to determine which group you fall into is to remember when you first had implants. If your tissues were tight at the time of augmentation, in other words your breast tissue was small, you probably can have your implants removed with no lift. The breast will regain a shape.

If, at the time of your augmentation, you needed a lift, you might need a lift after the implants are removed. However, I always tell patients that you can always do a lift later, after the breast has had a chance to tighten. Many patients are OK with a little sagging and it is up to the patient to decide whether or not she wants a breast lift.

If you are considering consulting with a breast revision specialist, you’ll want to make sure you are taking the necessary steps to prepare yourself for your consultation.

You’ll want to begin by compiling your list of questions for your breast augmentation revision specialist. These questions should cover all your primary concerns. If you aren't sure where to start, consider adding these to your list:

  • How much experience does the specialist have with breast revision surgery?
  • What are the most common complications of breast revision surgery? How often have they personally encountered these complications?
  • If you are a good candidate for breast revision surgery, what do they advise for shape, size, and type of implant to match your needs?
  • Ask about incision location and how much scarring can and should be expected.
  • What is the lifespan of the implants? Will they need replacing down the line? How would that procedure go?
  • What is the expected recovery time of your procedure?

It is also very helpful if have your Before Augmentation pictures, your implant information, a copy of your operative report and pictures of breasts that you find pretty. If you do not have your current implant information, this is not a problem. Over the years we have successfully helped patients whose implant information was not available.

Once you have your goals, list of questions and information ready, it's time for your consultation. Your meeting with the specialist should be comforting, warm, and informative.

Dr. Tracy Pfeifer is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery. Her dream was to open a practice that delivered personalized care and patient experience along with exceptional results. She is a well-respected aesthetic plastic surgeon with many happy clients under her care . Known as an authority on aesthetic plastic surgery, she is a frequent media consultant.

Dr. Pfeifer uses her extensive surgical expertise, artistic eye and attention to detail in combination with her compassion to help walk women through the best courses of action, from the first consultation all the way through the recovery process.

Done your research and compiled your list of questions? Then your next step is to schedule a consultation. Both of our locations are private, peaceful, and designed to provide each patient with quality care.

Schedule your consultation today

When I met with Dr. Pfeifer, I knew right away that she was the doctor I wanted to use for my surgery. My attorney had given me Dr. Pfeifer's number and informed me that a client of his was very pleased with the surgery Dr. Pfeifer had done on her. Dr. Pfeifer gave me a lot of information as to what she could do for me, and I felt very comfortable with her and her staff, and that is why I'm happy she was my surgeon

-breast augmentation revision patient who had a complication from her previous surgery with another surgeon

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Q: How much does breast revision surgery in NYC cost?

A: Total costs for breast revision surgery (prior to additional hospital fees) can range anywhere from $10,000 to $14,000; however, this can and will vary depending on the procedure and experience of the surgeon.

Q: Does insurance cover breast revision surgery?

A: In some cases, such as leak of a silicone implant or capsular contracture, insurance may cover some of the cost. This is very variable. Our insurance coordinator, Judy, works for our patients to navigate the complexities of the insurance world. This is a service that Dr. Pfeifer takes pride in offering to her patients.

Q: How painful is breast revision surgery?

A: Typically it is not painful. Dr. Pfeifer describes it as discomfort. We preempt "pain" by pretreating our patients with muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory medication BEFORE surgery. This is very effective at preventing pain. On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is no discomfort and 10 is the worst discomfort, you should be a 2 or a 3 on the scale. You do not need to take any narcotic medication however some patients take a small amount of narcotic for 1-3 days.

Q: What is the recovery process after breast revision surgery?

A: After your procedure, your incisions will be covered by paper tape and you will wear a compression sports bra. Patients who have had removal of the capsule will need a drain for several days. You will be given detailed instructions on how to care for your incisions, along with any necessary medications. Finally, you’ll be instructed to visit your surgeon to follow up with your procedure.

Q: How soon after breast augmentation can revision surgery be performed?

A: Again, this will vary by case; however, a patient should allow enough time for their body to heal fully. This could take anywhere from a few months to a year.

Q: How long does it take to recover from breast revision surgery?

A: While some patients feel fine within a few days, others may need a week or two to start returning to their normal routine.

Q: How long until I can exercise after breast revision?

A: Generally speaking, most patients are fully recovered in six weeks and can resume all exercises. This can vary, and you should consult with your surgeon first.

Related Procedures

Breast Augmentation

Breast Reconstruction

Capsular Contracture

Tuberous Breast Correction

Breast Reduction

Breast Asymmetry

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Capsular Contracture in Breast Augmentation