Breast implant revision cosmetic surgery may involve breast implant exchange or removal. During the initial consultation, your breast surgeon will determine the possible cause of your complications, assess your personal aesthetic goals, and recommend the appropriate procedure.
Breast implant revision surgery primarily involves one of the following three treatment options:
- Removal of implants and their replacement them with new implants
- Repositioning of the existing breast implants
- Removal of breast implants without replacement
Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides breast implant exchange and removal surgery to patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding locations.
Breast Implant Removal
Breast implant removal is designed to reverse the effects of your primary breast augmentation plastic surgery. The surgeon will simply remove the breast implants along with the scar tissue. However, women who choose only implant removal may have to undergo breast lift surgery at the same time to restore the firm and youthful shape and appearance of the breasts.
Breast implants may have to be removed for one or more of the following reasons:
- Capsular contracture (hardening of the scar tissue around the implant)
- Infection, bleeding or another complication around the implants
- Excessive calcium build-up
- Necrosis or tissue around the implant becoming dead
Breast Implant Removal Procedure
Your surgeon may be able to complete the breast implant removal surgery in one to three hours, depending on the complications and whether a breast lift is involved. The procedure is usually performed using general anesthesia.
Breast implant removal only
The surgeon will try to create incisions in the same area where the original breast augmentation surgery was performed. In case of capsular contracture, the surgeon will also remove the hardened capsule using techniques such as en bloc capsulectomy or full or partial capsulectomy.
Breast implant removal with a breast lift
In this case, a breast lift surgery will be performed at the same time of the breast implant removal. This combined procedure becomes particularly crucial if the breast skin has sagged or stretched over the years. Your surgeon will remove the excess skin from the breast, tighten the tissue, and may also re-size the areolas to create an attractive and natural looking breast appearance.
Breast Implant Exchange (Replacement) Surgery
If you are unhappy with your existing breast implants for some reason, or the implants have become old or damaged, you can choose to have them replaced with a breast implant exchange surgery. Your surgeon will help you determine the appropriate implant type, size, shape and texture for your new implants.
The surgeon will withdraw the existing implants in the same way as the regular breast implant removal surgery. If the new implants are of a different size or shape, the surgeon may have to revise the breast pocket in order to accommodate the new implants.
Once the new implants are placed and settled into the desired position, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures. Female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas, and nearby areas for breast implant exchange or removal surgery.
For more information on procedures and treatments provided by board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak please call us to schedule a consultation at 713.322.7265 or click here. Offices in Houston, Texas.
