Breast Reconstruction Revision Recovery

Breast reconstruction is an important part of the breast cancer treatment process, but it’s also a process that can be very complicated and difficult—especially when you’re going through it for the second time.

If you’ve had a previous breast reconstruction surgery, then you know how frustrating it can be to have to go through the process again. You may feel like your body has already been through enough, and that it doesn’t need to go through another round of healing and recovery.

However, if you’re looking for a more natural-looking breast reconstruction after losing one or both breasts to cancer, then having your doctor perform another breast reconstruction procedure may be exactly what you need.

In this article from cosmeicsurterytips, we’ll discuss some of the common questions people have about their breast reconstruction revision recovery, Reasons for Breast Implant Revision, Breast Implant Revision Recovery: The Day After Surgery and so much more.

What Is Breast Implant Revision Surgery?

For breast implant revision surgery in the St. Louis area, plastic surgeons Dr. Terry Myckatyn and Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum  specialize in correcting or revising prior cosmetic or reconstructive breast surgery. Breast implant revision surgery typically involves removing or replacing the original saline or silicone implants. Our patients who elect to have breast revision do so to change the size or type of their implants and/or to correct any complications resulting from a prior breast augmentation. The overall goal is to restore a youthful breast contour and appearance.

A breast implant revision may be performed for numerous reasons, both medical and cosmetic. Whatever the reason, at West County Plastic Surgeons of the Washington University School of Medicine, we take great care in evaluating patients’ needs to ensure that we provide cosmetic results that best suit each person’s expectations. Safe and satisfying outcomes are our primary goal, and we strive to ensure the best possible end results for every patient.

Reasons for Breast Implant Revision

A breast implant revision may be performed for medical and/or cosmetic revision. The following breast conditions are amenable to surgical correction:

Bottoming out. This condition describes breast implants that have dropped considerably on the chest, making the breast implants look too low and the nipples look too high. One technique that corrects this problem is repositioning the implants and securing them with a biologic scaffolding material called Strattice™.

An illustration showing how Strattice™ can assist in correcting bottoming out.

Capsular contracture. It is normal for the body to form a capsule, which is basically a form of scar tissue, around a breast implant. Over time, however, this capsule can become thicker, harder and tighter, leading to a condition called “capsular contracture.” Removing the capsule and breast implant treats uncomfortable capsular contracture. New breast implants placed in a different position relative to the chest muscle ensure attractive results and lasting comfort.

Implant downsizing. Some patients with breast implants may decide that they still want breast implants, but wish that they were smaller. Exchanging larger implants for smaller implants, however, often causes redundant breast skin and sagging breasts, also known as ptosis. As a result, downsizing of a breast implant is usually accompanied by a breast lift mastopexy procedure to manage the extra skin.

Rippling. In particularly thin individuals, ripples from a breast implant can be seen on the surface of the skin. One option for treating visible rippling is to camouflage the ripples with the patient’s own fat using fat grafting. Another option is to pad the overlying soft tissues with a sheet of  biologic scaffolding material called Strattice™.

Ruptured implants. Eventually, breast implants will leak or rupture. Once this occurs, they can be removed and replaced with fresh breast implants.

Symmastia or Synmastia. This condition occurs when breast implant pockets merge together across the middle of the chest. One way to correct this problem is to separate the two breast implant pockets with the patient’s own breast capsule material, provided it is strong enough. If it is not, an implanted biologic scaffolding material called Strattice™ may be used.

Breast Revision Surgery: What You Should Know

Your Recovery Period: How long does it take to recover from breast implant revision?

Although breast augmentation revision is, by definition, a more serious surgery than your initial implant procedure, you likely won’t feel any worse during this recovery compared to your first surgery.

Remember not to rush things during the healing process; rest and take it slow to ensure the best possible outcome.

• Recovery, in some cases, can be much shorter than your initial breast implant surgery. A fairly quick recovery might be expected from a saline implant rupture with the replacement of similarly sized new (saline or silicone) implants.
• Recovery can be expected to take longer in round two, however, if you have had the (fairly common) internal pocket modification and capsular removal if scar tissue has hardened and crowded your prior implants. This is done to make a proper place for the new implants and to ensure healing.
• Internal sutures, if needed this time, may restrict your movements a bit more and for longer than your prior breast surgery.
• If you transitioned from subglandular to submuscular pockets, your recovery period may be extended.
• Also, if your new implants are much larger than the original implants, it may extend healing/recovery.

Returning to Work:

• This can vary greatly from patient to patient. On average, you can return to work in 1 to 3 weeks. Although, if surgery is extensive (or your work is more strenuous), you may be out for longer.
• Your post-operative bra must be worn at all times, except in the shower, for at least 4 weeks. (No showering until the day noted on your post-surgery instructions. You will not be allowed to shower on day one.) Try to have someone assist you so that you do not slip while in the shower. There are also rubber-footed shower chairs that may be helpful during the healing process.
• No heavy lifting (over 10 pounds) for 8 weeks or more.

The Cohen/Winters Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery practice in Bergen County, NJ exists to help patients reach their goals for a healthy and attractive body. Surgery is our calling.