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

Anesthesia: Revision breast surgery is usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia.

Length of procedure: 30 to 150 minutes, depending on the type of revision required.

Estimated recovery time: Patients can usually expect to return to work after 1 to 2 weeks, and they should avoid vigorous activities for 3 weeks. Visible bruising should subside within 2 weeks, and swelling should begin to resolve within 3 weeks. To learn how to prepare for breast implant revision surgery at our surgery center and what to expect afterwards

Side effects: Common side effects include bruising and swelling. The shape of the breast may change over time, and the final result may not be realized for a few months. Augmentation-mastopexy is associated with a higher rate of corrective surgery than either breast augmentation or breast lift alone.

After a Breast Augmentation Revision: Pain, Scars, Bras and Exercise

You’ve just had your breast augmentation revision surgery–now the true adventure begins. It is time to rest and recover for a few days and, as you feel ready, slowly return to full speed. Provided you follow your instructions and don’t rush your recovery, you will look and feel better than ever! At Cohen/Winters, we’ve heard from numerous patients that they are very pleased with their breast augmentation revision results after they have recovered.

This is because we do our best to see you through your corrective breast surgery from beginning to end. Dr. Stephanie Cohen and our team are dedicated to your success and will continue helping you through your breast revision journey. You may still feel sore and off-kilter for the first day or two following your surgery. As your recovery progresses, the will fog will lift.

Here is a basic outline of what you can expect immediately following your breast augmentation revision and throughout the recovery period. By day two, if your surgery was a fairly straightforward implant replacement or implant removal only, you may feel quite well, despite it being early in the recovery process.

What to expect: Immediately Following Surgery

• As you awake in the recovery room, you may be aware of bandages, a small drain tube and a compression bra. You will need a friend by your side to drive you home and get you comfortable to rest.
• At home, you’ll find yourself in bed with your torso propped up on your wedge/pillows. You should have picked up your prescription (and purchased/arranged pillows, magazines and a phone next to your bed, etc.) before surgery day in preparation.
• You should have post-surgery instructions printed out and by your side. You would have been briefed on your after-care prior to surgery, so there won’t be any surprises in the instructions.
• Remember to contact Dr. Cohen at any time if you have questions or concerns. If there is something bothering you, don’t worry about “bothering” your doctor. It’s likely there is nothing wrong, but worrying is enough to delay healing—so make the call!
• Depending on how long ago your first procedure was performed, some or most of the recovery process will be familiar to you. Be sure to follow instructions from Dr. Cohen. It is very likely that your previous breast surgeon probably had a slightly different recovery plan. In fact, your instructions may differ greatly if your prior breast implant procedure was done many years ago.
• You’ll feel some discomfort and soreness and you may feel groggy. Never fear, you were given a long-acting pain medication as surgery ended that will allow you to sleep upon arriving home. You should take your prescription pain medication when you wake up. Take the pain medication as needed, according to the label and your doctor’s instructions. In a few days, when you feel ready, you can move to over-the-counter medicine.

Arriving Home After Breast Augmentation Revision Surgery

Your friend should remain with you for the first 24 to 48 hours to make sure that you don’t strain yourself reaching for a glass of water, the remote, your phone or a magazine.

You should also be guided to the bathroom as needed, even if it’s only a few steps away. Besides being sore, you may still have some grogginess, so let your friend help you to the bathroom to avoid any dizziness and injuries. Then—back to bed to continue sleeping and resting!

Hospital Stays:

For complex breast augmentation revision procedures or those where patients have concurrent health conditions and for insurance-covered procedures, a hospital stay may be advised. We will arrange for same-day admission to Hackensack University Medical Center.

For Travelers

Many patients travel into town for breast implant revision at Cohen/Winters. Our office is more than happy to assist you with your arrangements.

• Travel with a friend’s assistance.
• Do not carry (or push or pull) your own luggage on your trip home! You will be examined immediately after surgery and again before being released to go home.
• Your surgeon will evaluate your initial healing and typically remove stitches and drains (if any were needed) before giving you the OK to travel home.

Flying home after breast augmentation revision:

• You should stay in the area for at least one week before flying, and in some cases, 2 weeks may be required. However, this timetable can vary significantly. Don’t make plans until you consult with your surgeon about your specific procedure.
• Consider getting a flexible return ticket or one that allows you to change your travel dates without much difficulty. (Or make return reservations after you get the OK to fly)
• Think about travel insurance. Check to see if your credit card offers some benefits as to flight changes.
• If your flight is more than 4 hours, you must stand and walk through the cabin for a few minutes during the trip, when it is safe to do so.
• You must drink lots of water on your trip home to remain hydrated.
• Start your journey with enough time so that you are not rushed getting to the airport, through parking, check-in, security and onto the plane.

Driving home – when you live several hours away:

• We recommend staying overnight in our recovery suites or at a nearby hotel, such as the Hilton, with a private nurse that we can help arrange for you.
• Your friend or relative must do the driving! They should also do any lifting of your purse or luggage.

Breast Implant Revision Recovery: The Day After Surgery

• Your surgeon at Cohen/Winters will check in on you via phone, text or email.
• You can expect itching, swelling and bruising. There may also be numbness and tingling when a breast lift is done at the same time.
• If your surgery involves larger implants, the chest and skin surrounding the breasts will feel tight for a while.

Week One to Three and Beyond

• In the few weeks following surgery, as the new implants settle into the final position, the numbness, tingling sensations, bruising and swelling will gradually begin to decrease.
• You will be following wound care instructions given on your after-surgery instruction sheet.
• Don’t shower until your surgeon gives you the OK – definitely not on day one.
• Although it varies a bit based on the individual patient, your in-person follow up schedule will look something like this: Post-op Day 1, Day 7, Day 21 (stitches are often removed at this point, 3 weeks after surgery); next visit at 3 months, then 6 months and perhaps a one-year visit, if your surgeon recommends this.
• The visit of smiles. The most dramatic point of recovery may be at about 3 weeks (or when stitches are removed and sterile-adhesive strips are removed from nipples.) At this point, some swelling has gone down and the shape of your new breasts is evident.
• During later visits, Dr. Cohen will evaluate your scars and may offer options to minimize scarring even further.
• You or your surgeon can opt to schedule additional visits as needed.
• Your surgeon will be in touch with you between visits and you should never hesitate to contact Cohen/Winters, anytime 24/7.

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.