Breast Implant Revisions
While most women are satisfied with their breast implant results, some require a second procedure to correct cosmetic or medical issues. Breast augmentation surgery should always meet the high standards of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Unfortunately, some patients require revision surgery because their new breasts are the wrong size, an abnormal shape, incorrectly positioned, or asymmetrical. If you are unhappy with your current implants or have experienced medical issues after implant surgery, breast revision with William Franckle, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon, can help you regain comfort and confidence.
When a patient must revise or replace breast implants, she needs the guidance and care of an experienced plastic surgeon. Dr. Franckle will conduct a thorough examination and help you choose from various breast augmentation options for your revision procedure.
What Is Revision Surgery?
Breast revision is a general term for several procedures to correct issues after breast augmentation. Whatever the reason for corrective surgery, revision can help restore the contour, comfort, and appearance of breasts and help patients realize their aesthetic preferences.
Is Breast Revision Surgery Right for You?
Your breast revision begins with a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Franckle. He will discuss your goals for revision surgery and ensure you are a good candidate for breast revision. You should be in good physical health, a nonsmoker, and not currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Dr. Franckle will examine your current implants and create a customized surgical plan to address the complications caused by your initial breast augmentation surgery.
Some of the common cosmetic reasons for revision surgery reported by our patients include:
- The initial breast implant is too big or too small.
- The breasts have changed in shape as a result of weight fluctuation.
- The breasts need a lift because of the natural effects of aging.
- They have developed breast asymmetry.
Medical complications with breast implants may include:
- The implant has ruptured or deflated.
- Scar tissue has hardened around one or both implants (capsular contracture).
- The ripples of the implants are visible through the skin.
- The implants or nipples are misaligned.
If you feel physically uncomfortable, have unwanted scar tissue, desire a breast implant reduction, or have a leaking implant, explore your options for better health and a renewed sense of self-esteem.
Meet With Dr. Franckle Today
If you experience any of the above symptoms or are simply unhappy with your breast implants, call William Franckle, MD, FACS at 856.772.6500 to request your consultation for breast augmentation correction. He will discuss your current health and surgical goals to help improve the overall look and feel of your breasts. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Franckle has experience with the challenges of revision surgery and creates customized procedures to help patients look and feel their best.
What to Expect
The consultation process, surgical techniques, and recovery from breast implant revision surgery will vary depending on whether you plan to revise or replace your implants. Dr. Franckle will discuss your goals and what you specifically should expect at your consultation.
Breast Revision Surgery Procedures
Various surgical techniques can be used to correct specific issues. These include:
- Implant size revision to ensure that implants are in proportion with the woman’s chest shape and size. Dr. Franckle can increase or decrease the space available for a breast implant as needed by suturing or expanding the original surgical incision. Often, women seeking smaller breast implants also opt for a breast lift when they undergo a revision.
- Correction of capsular contracture, which causes the breasts to harden when scar tissue forms around implants. This can result in discomfort along with altered breast shape. Dr. Franckle may recommend a capsulotomy, which expands the available space for the implant to reduce scar tissue. Some cases require capsulectomy, which is the complete removal of the existing scar tissue.
- Implant repositioning to correct implant pockets that are either too far apart or too close together. During this surgery, Dr. Franckle will utilize the original incision to reenter the breast pocket and craft the existing scar tissue around the capsule to appropriately reposition the implant.
- Implant removal when you and Dr. Franckle determine that the other revision options do not meet your needs and aesthetic goals. The doctor will remove the implants and any existing scar tissue through the original incisions.
Vectra 3D Simulation
This technology is the key to our consultation process. Vectra 3D Imaging allows our patients to preview the results of their breast revision surgery before the procedure. Using specialized 3D cameras, this system takes multiple pictures from a variety of angles to construct a 3D model of your body. After taking and presenting the images, Dr. Franckle will make alterations based on your requests.
Augmentation Revision Recovery
Patients typically experience bruising, swelling, and sensitivity around the surgical area after a breast revision. You may be prescribed pain medication to help reduce soreness. A compression garment or sports bra should be worn after surgery to keep the implants in place and help control swelling. Light walking is encouraged to maintain blood flow, but you should avoid any strenuous activity during the first two weeks of recovery. Dr. Franckle suggests at least two to four weeks before returning to normal day-to-day activities. A full recovery may take about three months, but this varies depending on the type of breast revision procedure.
Cost
Because every revision is different, the cost of the surgery will vary based on the complexity of the procedure and other factors. At your initial consultation with Dr. Franckle, you will be given an estimated cost.
Please note that the Virtua Center for Surgery, where your procedure will take place, bills their anesthesia and facility fees separately.
Payment Options for Breast Implant Revisions
- Cash or Check: You can make payments using personal checks, cashier’s checks, or cash.
- Credit Cards: We accept major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
- Extended Payment Plans: More on this below
Financing Options for Breast Implant Revisions
Financing your breast implant revision surgery can be a crucial part of your planning process. At our New Jersey clinic, we offer a variety of flexible financing options to help make your procedure more manageable.
For those looking for short-term solutions, we offer no-interest monthly payment plans for up to six months. This allows you to distribute the cost of your surgery over half a year without any additional fees, easing the financial burden.
If you prefer to extend your payments over a longer period, we provide extended payment plans with competitive low APR rates for up to 60 months. These plans are designed to fit comfortably into your budget by spreading out the cost of your surgery over several years. Eligibility for these plans is based on your credit history.
We have partnered with renowned financial companies such as CareCredit® and Alphaeon Credit to offer you reliable and trusted financing solutions. These partners provide a variety of plans to suit your individual financial needs, ensuring you can proceed with your surgery without unnecessary stress.
How to Prepare
Before scheduling your consultation with Dr. Franckle, make a list of any questions you have about the entire process, from pre-operation to post-operation recovery. In preparation for surgery, he will ask you to stop taking aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medicines because they may increase surgical bleeding.
General anesthesia will be administered for the surgery. Because breast implant revision is typically an outpatient procedure, please arrange for someone to drive you to and from the surgical center and stay with you for the first night.
FAQ's
As you prepare for breast revision, review these frequently asked questions from patients.
Generally, implants last about eight to 10 years, but this varies depending on the type of implant used and how well they are taken care of. During your consultation, you and Dr. Franckle will decide which type of breast implant best suits your situation based on your previous augmentation surgery, current implant conditions, and desired outcome. We offer FDA-approved saline, silicone, and gummy bear implants.
When a saline implant ruptures, the saltwater leaks out in a few days and is safely absorbed by the body. When silicone implants rupture, the thick gel leaks out more slowly and is often difficult to notice, so this condition is often called a silent rupture. Common symptoms of a silicone implant rupture include:
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Painful or tender breasts
- Firmness at the implant site
The body doesn’t absorb silicone gel, so it is crucial to address symptoms of a ruptured silicone implant as soon as they occur. If you suspect your implant has ruptured, please contact our team immediately to discuss revision and replacement options.
