Implants are not designed to last forever. On average, implants need to be replaced every 10 years. Dr. Jeffrey Ptak is well versed in breast revision surgery, also known as breast implant removal and replacement. In some cases, women may choose to completely remove their implants and return to their natural breast size.
At Silhouette Surgical Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, the goal of breast revision surgery is to give women a beautiful bust that they love.
About Breast Revision
Breast revision, also known as breast implant removal and replacement, is the process of removing implants and, depending on the patient’s desires, replacing them with new implants that are larger, smaller, or the same size and characteristics. This procedure can be used to address a multitude of issues that can arise following breast augmentation with implants. Breast implant removal and replacement as performed by Dr. Jeffrey Ptak can address:
- Increasing or decreasing the size of the breast implants
- Correcting breast asymmetry or defects following biopsy
- Capsular contracture
- Deflated, leaking, or ruptured implants
- Changing breast implant shape or material
- Implant rippling
- Implant malposition
Good Candidates
Good candidates for breast revision surgery include women who are interested in changing their implant size, shape, or material, wish to return to their natural breast size, or those who need to replace their implants due to rupture or capsular contracture. Sometimes, women may be simply dissatisfied with the results of their original breast augmentation and are looking for a top plastic surgeon like Dr. Ptak to help them achieve the results they desire.
In order to be considered a good candidate for the surgery, patients should be in good health. This means that they should be at a stable weight, shouldn’t have serious health conditions, and also be nonsmokers. If the patient does smoke, then they will need to quit for a predetermined amount of time prior to and following the surgery. Smoking can seriously impact the patient’s ability to heal from the operation.
At the time of the consultation, Dr. Ptak will speak with patients about their concerns and perform an examination in order to determine whether or not they would be good candidates for breast revision surgery.
Consultation
Prior to making any surgical arrangements, patients are required to come in for an initial consultation. During the consultation, Dr. Ptak will meet personally with the patient in his Scottsdale, Arizona office to discuss the patient's concerns and goals. If the patient has silicone implants older than 15 years, they may be required to get an MRI scan prior to the consultation to aid in the process and predetermine if the implants are intact or leaking. Dr. Ptak will also conduct his own physical examination in order to help determine if the patient is a good candidate for the procedure and which techniques should be utilized.
If the patient is a good candidate for breast revision surgery, then Dr. Ptak will work with them to create a personalized procedure plan to meet their goals. We will then be able to provide the patient with a customized price quote. In order to schedule your consultation, please give us a call or fill out the online form prior to your visit to Silhouette Surgical Spa.
Breast Revision Techniques
Depending on the patient’s concerns or issues with their current breast implants, Dr. Ptak will utilize one or more of the following techniques in order to provide patients with a bust they love.
Implant Replacement
If the implant needs to be replaced due to a rupture or if the patient wishes to insert a different type or size of implant, then Dr. Ptak will perform a straightforward implant exchange. Usually utilizing the incision locations from the original breast augmentation procedure, he will remove the implant and replace it with a newer implant that fits the patient’s body and lifestyle. If the patient desires larger or smaller implants, the doctor will alter the size of the pocket inside the breast as well to fit the new implants.
Implant Removal
For a variety of reasons, women may choose to remove their implants completely and wish to return to their natural breast size. The breasts will not return to their original size and shape right away following the procedure. If the skin around the breasts has stretched significantly, Dr. Ptak may recommend additional procedures, such as a breast lift or fat transfer breast augmentation, to provide women with a natural look that they love.
Capsular Contracture
If the patient is suffering from capsular contracture, then Dr. Ptak will utilize a technique similar to that of a standard implant revision. However, he will also need to release by internal cautery incisions or remove the thick and hardened capsule from the breast pocket before inserting a new implant.
Implant Rippling
Patients with saline implants may notice some rippling along the edge or front of the implant that makes the implant visible underneath their skin. To correct this issue, Dr. Ptak will need to remove and reposition the implant. Depending on the patient’s individual case, the doctor may choose to insert a silicone implant instead of another saline implant. He may also need to create a new pocket or revise the old pocket if the implants are poorly positioned. Fat grafting is another way to conceal the rippling if the breast tissue is too thin over the implant. A third technique is to add an internal tissue graft to reinforce the pocket and reduce the appearance of the rippling.
Additional Procedures
Breast Lift
Following the consultation, some women may discover that they don’t need a breast revision at all. They may discover that they instead need a breast lift to achieve their desired results. Alternatively, they may require a breast lift in addition to a breast implant revision.
A breast lift raises the nipple position and shapes the breasts to a more attractive and youthful appearance. Breasts may begin to droop or become pendulous over time due to a variety of factors. Some of these factors may include substantial weight fluctuation, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Often, the breasts begin to sag simply due to age and gravity.
The breast lift procedure utilizes one of four different incisions, which will vary depending on the patient’s degree of ptosis, or sagging. After making the appropriate incisions, Dr. Ptak will remove excess skin to give the breasts a more shapely appearance. Then, he will suture the incision sites. This procedure can easily be performed at the same time as a breast implant revision.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
If the patient no longer wants breast implants, but does not want to lose all of the volume in their chest, then she may be a good candidate for a fat transfer breast augmentation. A fat transfer breast augmentation may be performed as a separate procedure following the breast implant removal but could also be done on the same day as the implant removal.
A fat transfer breast augmentation is really two procedures in one: liposuction and breast augmentation. First, Dr. Ptak will perform liposuction on the patient’s body where they have excess fat deposits. This gives the patients the ability to slim down and contour parts of the body that may not be responding to diet and exercise. Then, the fat procured during liposuction is injected into the breasts for a natural augmentation. The fat will naturally take to the new area with a new blood supply, so results look and feel completely authentic and natural. However, patients should keep in mind that this procedure will not be able to offer the same results as implants. With a fat transfer breast augmentation, patients will typically be able to increase the size of their breasts by one or two cup sizes. In order to achieve larger sizes it may require more than one fat grafting procedure as it is not recommended to attempt to large volumes to the breast at one setting.
Breast Revision Procedure Process
In most cases, the breast revision procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. This means that the patient will be asleep during the operation and should make arrangements for another individual to drive them home following the procedure.
When performing breast revision surgery, Dr. Ptak will try and utilize the same incisions that were used to insert the implants so that there is no additional scarring. If the patient’s original breast implants were inserted using a transaxillary or transumbilical incision, then he will have to make a new incision in order to remove the implants. The new incisions are usually made in the inframammary crease which will blend with the natural fold.
Dr. Ptak will remove the breast implants and then insert new implants using the techniques previously determined at the consultation. At this time, he will also perform a breast lift if the patient requires it. When the doctor has completed the surgery, he will suture the incisions closed and properly bandage the operational site.
A breast revision procedure is highly customizable operation depending on the concerns that the patient hopes to correct. For this reason, Dr. Jeffrey Ptak will work very closely with the patient to draw up a detailed and personalized procedure plan prior to the surgery date.
The Recovery
Recovery from breast implant removal and replacement surgery will be comparable to the recovery from the patient’s original breast augmentation with implants. In some cases, recovery time may even be shorter.
Following the procedure, patients will be lightly bandaged and placed in a compression garment. This will help minimize bruising and swelling and help the breasts settle into their newly contoured position. Patients may experience slight discomfort around the operational site following the procedure. This can be managed with prescription medication provided by Dr. Ptak and should be filled prior to the surgery date. If the patient wishes, they can take over-the-counter pain medication. However, they should avoid certain anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen for the first few days which can lead to bleeding and excessive bruising. Dr. Ptak will provide extensive post operative written instructions to each patient.
Patients will be able to return to work and physical exercise in about 1-2 weeks after the surgery date. When Dr. Ptak draws up the patient’s procedure plan, he will also be able to provide more specific details about recovery.