When is Breast Implant Revision Surgery Necessary?5 min read

One common reason for revision of breast implants is fluctuation in weight. Whether you’ve lost or gained weight, a significant amount of fluctuation can alter the breast tissue and, consequently, the state of your implant. Another common reason individuals pursue breast implant revision is implant deflation, which is experienced as a loss of volume in the implant. An implant can also move or rotate, referred to as implant displacement. Instead of the normal settling that any implant does, implant displacement can be caused by the removal of too much tissue or the creation of an excessively-large implant pocket. Both of these scenarios can be corrected in a revision procedure.

Distinct from implant deflation is the issue of implant rupture, which sounds more threatening than it actually is. The fluid within modern implants is a saline solution that is easily absorbed by the body, so a rupture is, fortunately, not a medical emergency. It is, on the other hand, impossible to ignore, because a rupture will cause an immediate deflation of the breast in question. This can be caused by physical events like car accidents or simply the weakening of the implant’s shell. Either way, revision surgery is a perfectly legitimate option in such a situation.

Another potential complication of your initial breast implant surgery goes by the name capsular contracture. This occurs when the formation of scar tissue, which is an expected and healthy part of the treatment process, goes too far. If your body thinks the implant is a foreign object, an unusually large amount of scar tissue a sort of first line of defense to cut the “foreign object” away from the rest of the body. There is a grading system to discern the severity of different cases of capsular contracture, ranging from moderate and asymptomatic to severe and significantly uncomfortable. Implant revision surgery is not the only treatment for this occurence, but it is an effective option to discuss with your plastic surgeon.

In addition, the desire to simply alter the shape or size of your implant can justify a revision surgery. You might want to alter the size – either larger or smaller – after simply living with the original implant for a long enough period. The perfect implant size is not always determined before the first procedure, and there’s no shame in returning for a revision surgery to pursue the results you want. Many patients of breast implant procedures have opted for revision surgery for this reason, and you should feel free to bring it up with your plastic surgeon if desired.