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Breast Revision

The stunning results of aesthetic breast surgery typically exceed patient expectations, but — like many surgical procedures — there are certain instances in which a revision surgery may be necessary. Breast revision is a secondary procedure designed to improve upon the outcome of a previous aesthetic breast surgery, such as breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction. There are many reasons why patients may be prompted to seek out revisionary breast surgery. Some of the more common reasons include (but are not limited to): exchanging breast implants for a different size or type of implant, correcting capsular contracture, removing implants, correcting or adjusting the breast fold to fix “bottoming out,” or contouring the breasts’ overall shape. No matter your reasons for considering a revision procedure, Utah plastic surgeon Dr. Garlick can listen to your concerns and gain an in-depth understanding of your goals to create an optimal breast revision treatment plan for you.

What Can Breast Revision Accomplish?

Breast revision provides an opportunity not only to correct a problem but also to refine and optimize the overall appearance of the breasts, restoring comfort, confidence, and peace of mind. The corrective procedure is designed to address concerns related to a previous breast augmentation or other breast procedures. Over time, aesthetic preferences may change, implants may age, or complications can arise that require correction. Some patients previously treated by a less qualified plastic surgeon may also seek revision surgery to improve the outcome.

Breast revision is highly customized and can accomplish a wide range of goals, including replacing older implants, changing the size or type of implant to suit preferences, correcting capsular contracture, improving implant positioning, smoothing implant edges, restoring symmetry, or addressing implant rupture. Since revision surgery often involves contending with scar tissue and prior surgical changes, it requires advanced surgical planning and precision to achieve your desired outcome.

Is Breast Revision Right for Me?

Dr. Garlick performs a complete assessment and evaluation of a patient’s needs before determining whether they would benefit from breast revision surgery. In general, the following reasons outline some of the most popular motivations behind a secondary breast augmentation: 

  • Correcting asymmetry caused by disproportionately-sized implants
  • Exchanging saline implants for silicone implants, or vice versa
  • Concealing visible implant edges — a phenomenon known as implant rippling
  • Removing hardened scar tissue or capsular contracture
  • Addressing a tear, leak, or rupture in an implant
  • Removing one’s implants and using fat transfer to restore fullness
  • Repairing the positioning of implants when they appear too close together (symmastia) or have “bottomed out” (dropped below the breast fold)

Open communication and a mutual understanding of concerns and goals are critical to making the results you seek a reality. Dr. Garlick incorporates a range of techniques to address complications, replace older implant models, and enhance the profile and positioning of your breasts. Be sure to bring your old operative notes from your previous plastic surgeon to your consultation to help Dr. Garlick tailor a treatment plan suited to your individual needs.

“I can’t even begin to express my gratitude for Dr. Garlick. He is extremely patient and listens to each and every concern while educating his patients.”

Walla A.

How is the Breast Revision Procedure Performed?

The various approaches to breast revision include using fat transfer, creating a new implant pocket to improve positioning, placing an “internal bra” scaffold and/or internal suturing, or replacing an asymmetrical implant with the correct size, among other techniques. The only way to determine the best course of action for you is to discuss your concerns in a consultation with Dr. Garlick. In many cases, the incisions made during your first breast surgery can be re-used for breast revision surgery, helping avoid further scarring. Breast revision is usually an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. 

Custom Cleavage

For some patients, part of breast revision may include enhancing cleavage according to their unique aesthetic desires. Customizing cleavage typically involves fat transfer, wherein excess fat from elsewhere on the body is injected into the cleavage lines to soften and reshape the breast contours. This can provide a better fit for clothing, as well as help patients gain a more sensual silhouette. Performing fat transfer while using a series of sutures to correct/refine the inferior fold can achieve excellent results in creating custom cleavage. We encourage you to speak with Dr. Garlick about your hopes for the outcome so he can personalize your treatment plan accordingly.

What Can I Expect From the Recovery Period After Breast Revision?

The healing period after breast revision will likely be very similar to the recovery from your first breast augmentation. A surgical bra or compression garment is worn immediately after surgery to help facilitate blood flow, reduce swelling, and support your new breast contours. Patients typically experience some degree of swelling, bruising, tenderness, and soreness, which should naturally subside as you continue to heal. Non-strenuous work and light daily activities can be resumed within one to two weeks, although exercise and demanding physical labor should be avoided for at least four weeks. 

 

What are the Results of Breast Revision?

Breast revision results depend on the specific concerns addressed, but the goal is always to improve your original results with a natural, harmonious outcome. After surgery, patients typically notice a more natural breast position, better proportion relative to their frame, and correction of previous irregularities. If capsular contracture was present, relief from tightness or discomfort is often immediate. If implant exchange or removal was performed, the breasts may feel softer and more comfortable once healing progresses. Over several weeks to months, the tissues settle and refine into their final position. When a lift is combined with revision, the breasts often appear more youthful and elevated. When fat grafting is used to enhance contour, subtle improvements in fullness and softness can further optimize the result.

Patients also frequently report renewed confidence after breast revision, particularly if they had been living with discomfort, asymmetry, or dissatisfaction for years. With thoughtful surgical planning and a personalized approach, breast revision can provide natural-looking improvements that align with your current aesthetic vision and long-term goals.

How Much Does Breast Revision Cost?

Breast revision is one of the most personalized procedures available and the details of each person’s surgical plan differ based on their goals and which concerns they’re hoping to improve. With that in mind, it’s impossible to provide a cost estimate without first assessing your needs in a consultation. In Utah, the cost of breast revision can be more manageable than other major cities. Factors that will influence the total price of your procedure include:

  • The surgical technique(s) utilized
  • The complexity of the procedure
  • The cost of new breast implants (if applicable)
  • Standard cosmetic surgery costs, such as the surgical fee, anesthesia fee, facility fee, etc.
  • Your geographic region and the experience of your plastic surgeon

Dr. Garlick accepts plastic surgery financing through third-party lenders such as Mountain America Credit Union and PatientFi®. Rest assured that after meeting with Dr. Garlick and discussing your goals, our office will be able to provide you with a personalized quote and available payment options.

What are the Most Common Breast Implant Complications?

Breast implants were designed to be long-lasting, but they are not lifelong devices and will need to be exchanged out at some point. Breast revision surgery can address common issues that may arise concerning the look or feel of your implants, including:

  • Implant Rippling: Rippling refers to the ability to see or feel the edges of your implant, thereby compromising a natural look. The risk of implant rippling is usually greater with over-the-muscle implant placement, or when large implants are utilized for a patient with a thin body frame. Fortunately, some rippling can be corrected with fat transfer to the breasts and/or other techniques, which will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Garlick.
  • Hardened Scar Tissue: Also called “capsular contracture,” scar tissue formation may warrant revision surgery if the breasts feel hard, tight, or painful. Some degree of scar tissue around the breasts is normal, but capsular contracture can also distort the breasts and/or cause pain in certain cases.
  • Rupture: While exceedingly rare, implant rupture can be a possibility for any patient. Saline implants generally show clear indications of rupture, but silicone implants may keep their shape and provide no visible signs of a tear. For this reason, it’s important to stay vigilant to any changes in the look or feel of your breasts over time.
  • Bottoming Out: “Bottoming out” is a process wherein the implant has moved outside of the intended breast implant pocket. This is usually seen as the implant “sliding” down the chest wall. A patient may notice this occurring when they begin to see their old IMF scar becoming visible on their breast skin instead of within the fold of the breast. Dr. Garlick has an arsenal of techniques he employs to correct these occurrences. Many times, he utilizes a soft tissue scaffold to help rebuild your implant pocket support system.

These outline the most common complications associated with breast implants, but other issues may present the need for breast revision over time. That said, many women go decades — or even a lifetime — without having to replace or exchange their breast implants.

Questions? Please contact our office for more information about breast revision surgery or to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Jared Garlick.

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