Breast Revision in Dallas, TX

Breast augmentation using implants is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in America and in many cases, produces terrific outcomes. Unfortunately, sometimes a patient can be dissatisfied with the appearance of her breasts and at some point may want breast revision surgery. Keep in mind that 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 implants, while some may have a visible irregularity and would like to have the implant corrected or removed altogether. Furthermore, some women may need revision treatment for a particular health condition. Plastic surgeon Dr. Phillip Dauwe offers breast revision surgery after giving an in-depth consultation at Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery so that the appropriate outcome is attained. Call our Dallas, TX office to learn more.

A personalized breast revision surgical plan developed and performed by Dr. Dauwe can dramatically remake your breasts, with benefits that include:

• Increasing or decreasing implant size
• Addressing issues like breast asymmetry, rippling, implant moving, etc.
• Lifting sagging breasts
• Removing loose skin
• Improving overall breast aesthetics
• Correcting previous procedures
• Eliminating scar tissue
• Removing unwanted implants

Whether it's scar tissue, drooping or sagging, ripples under the skin, or asymmetry, revision surgery can help correct the issue 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. Generally, Dr. Dauwe recommends that patients wait at least 6 months before any type of revision surgery is performed. Should you have any problems (either medical or aesthetic) after breast augmentation surgery, please make a consultation appointment with Dr. Dauwe to go over your desires and needs and to develop your personalized plan for breast revision surgery.

Breast revision surgery either removes an implant that is either damaged, out of position, or is no longer desired. Breast revision surgery may also be performed to change implant size or remove the implants and replace with a fat transfer. There are other common situations where a revision procedure is desired or required.

This condition occurs when the breast size or shape looks disproportionate. This may be due to an asymmetric implant size, drooping on one side, implant malposition, capsular contracture, or implant rupture. A thorough assessment would need to take place to determine what is leading to the asymmetry, and Dr. Dauwe would discuss treatment options with you. If a revision surgery is necessary to resolve the problem, Dr. Dauwe will use a variety of techniques and new set of breast implants to create a symmetric result.

This is a problem that happens if one or both implants drop too low in your breast. Sometimes, this is a case of a positioning error from the original operation, but more commonly this is due to stretch of your tissues over time. "Bottoming out" is most common in saline breast implants, because the heavy saline filled implant overly expands the lower pole of the breast. To correct this, the implants need to be repositioned with revision breast surgery. In addition to a new surgically created implant pocket, Dr. Dauwe usually recommends using a new set of breast implants too. For patients with saline breast implants, going to a silicone breast implant usually will reduce the risk of this happening again.

Sometimes a secondary breast surgery is as straightforward as getting a smaller or larger sized 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 inserted to reach the desired look.

Capsular contracture refers to thickening and hardening of the scar tissue surrounding the breast implant. Usually this scar tissue is thin, and most women will never see or feel it. In some instances, the hardening scar tissue can alter the shape or feel of the implant, and in some cases it can progress to causing pain in your breast. If this occurs, capsular contracture surgery can be performed to remove the hardened scar tissue and place a new breast implant. 

This condition occurs when you see rippling or wrinkles under the skin, and is usually caused by rippling in the shell of the implant. This irregularity is most commonly seen along the side of the breast, but can occur anywhere. Rippling is generally found in patients with thinner soft tissues. Newer generation implants are more optimally filled, and have reduced chance of rippling. This issue can be corrected or improved by simply switching to a newer silicone breast implant.

Though this is uncommon, breast implant rupture can possibly occur. When a saline implant type ruptures, the implant will deflate immediately because your body will absorb the saline fluid. If a silicone implant ruptures it does not absorb and can lead to breast asymmetry or hardening. Commonly, an implant rupture is "silent" in that it does not cause any symptoms, and can only seen by MRI. Whether silicone or saline, when a rupture occurs, Dr. Dauwe recommends breast implant revision surgery to replace the ruptured implant.

Symmastia is a condition that takes place when breast implants are inserted and placed too closely together. Most commonly, this is seen when breast implants are placed over the muscle, but it can happen if the breast implant is too wide or the pocket has stretched over the center of your chest. A revision surgery can correct this problem by choosing an implant that fits your anatomy, placing the implant under the muscle, or tightening the breast implant pocket over your central chest.

Following your procedure and a brief observation period, you can go home to begin your recovery. Recovery from a revision surgery varies depending on what is involved in your surgery. Revision surgery usually has an easier recovery than the first operation you had, and usually lasts 2-3 weeks. You should slowly start to see your surgical results when the bruising and swelling go away. Dr. Dauwe will discuss what should be expected while you recover and provide recommendations to help you heal faster. You should go to follow-up visits as often as directed so Dr. Dauwe 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, Dr. Dauwe will listen carefully to your needs and goals before completing a physical examination of your implants. After this, he will talk about your choices before creating your treatment plan. The total cost of revision surgery will be based on the complexity of the procedure, plus your new implants. As a way to help make your surgery affordable, Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery accepts many different payments and we will give you information on no-interest financing.

What if Dr. Dauwe wasn't my original surgeon?
Dr. Dauwe can perform your revision surgery even if he was not the surgeon who did your original breast augmentation. Revision surgery is sometimes more difficult compared to augmentation surgery, especially if you want significant changes or have problems, which is why it is best to find a plastic surgeon like Dr. Dauwe who has advanced training and experience in breast surgery. Dr. Dauwe also welcomes his patients to come back to Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery for revision surgery after their augmentation surgery 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 addressed as well. After hearing your goals and evaluating your current implants, Dr. Dauwe 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 can restore your youthful look.

Will there be new scars?
When possible, Dr. Dauwe will make incisions for revision surgery in the original augmentation incisions. If this isn't possible, he will place the revision incisions where they are least visible. Revision surgery usually requires an inframammary incision (beneath the breast fold), but a periareolar incision (along the lower border of the areola) can be used. Generally, implants placed through the armpit (transaxillary incision), can not be revised through this same incision. Dr. Dauwe or a member of his team will explain scar care instructions so your incisions heal smoothly and blend with your skin.

When do I need to change my implants?
Although implants are long lasting, they do require replacement eventually. There is no recommended time at which all implants must be replaced. Once you've had augmentation surgery, it's important to get your implants examined at least once a year so Dr. Dauwe can help you identify any problems that may need to be fixed. 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 by plastic surgeon Dr. Phillip Dauwe. If you notice a visible problem with your breast augmentation results or desire a different result, we invite you to get in touch with our Dallas, TX office to make your appointment at Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery. There are many factors to consider, and Dr. Dauwe will perform a full physical assessment, discuss your goals, and create your breast revision treatment plan.