The need for breast revision surgery

Most plastic surgeons would agree that breast revision surgery is some of the most difficult surgical operations in the business. But what is it actually all about and what makes it so challenging? Undergoing any breast surgery operation can be a big decision for many women and shouldn’t be made without adequate consideration and research.

This means that before getting your breast augmentation mammoplasty in the first place, it’s important to consider the likely future need for revision surgery.

Now the truth is that breast implants are not a lifetime deal – that’s something that a good breast surgeon ought to have discussed clearly with patients interested in undergoing any breast surgery operation.

Most warranties on breast implants run only for up to a period of 10 years, although some may last longer. Of course because of the nature of the implants, a follow up reconstructive breast surgery will be necessary at some point.

Now failure of the breast implant isn’t the sole reason why one might eventually need breast revision surgery. Some women may simply be unhappy about the results of a previous breast surgery operation. In many cases, patients wish that they’ve gone for a bigger implant and such a desire accounts for nearly half of all cases Dr Tavakoli and his team has encountered in breast revision surgery.

The other common reasons include:

Changing from saline to silicone gel breast implants for a different desired look and feel

Capsular contracture which requires the surgical treatment of scar tissues which has interfered with the results

Changes in the breast’s appearance due to age, weight changes and pregnancy

Dissatisfaction with the results – a patient is generally unhappy with the appearance of their breast after the procedure

Dr. Tavakoli has also encountered cases wherein the patient had breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery done over a decade ago and has reached a different phase in their lives making them want to get rid of their breast implant. The surgical removal of the said implant is then carried out which is sometimes done along with a mastopexy operation.

The difficulties of breast revision surgery

Indeed breast revision surgery can be challenge even for experienced and reputable plastic surgeons. Revision surgery is almost always more complex compared to the initial operation for various reasons the most significant of which are scar tissues that can make it difficult for a surgeon to produce desirable results.

The breast surgeon also has to deal with the physical changes brought on by the old implants. Hence breast revision surgery often costs a lot more than the initial breast surgery operation.

Yet another significant challenge in breast surgery revisions is that the patient is often apprehensive and uncertain about their expectations.I

When it comes to a successful operation in breast revision surgery, Dr Tavakoli believes that the most significant factor is the quality of surgeon-doctor communication. Patients need to have a complete and truthful understanding of what to expect and what their breast surgeon can actually do for them.

Of course experience and qualification are also important factors so don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon all about it. How many cases has your surgeon undertaken that are similar to yours?

Call Dr Tavakoli on 1300 368 107 to book a consultation – these are questions that we would be more than happy to answer if you are considering breast revision surgery.