Breast Implant Revision in Portsmouth, NH | Dr. Anthony Wilson
You may be happy with your breast implants and just want an adjustment, or you may be experiencing problems that need correction. Whatever your reasons, breast implant revision is a procedure that can boost your self-confidence and restore peace of mind.
Because you’ve been through breast augmentation once already, you know it’s important to get it right this time with a revision. Dr. Anthony Wilson is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast augmentation and revision procedures. He uses the latest techniques and materials to ensure natural-looking and long-lasting results. Contact AW Plastic Surgery in Portsmouth, NH, today to schedule a consultation.
What Is Breast Implant Revision?
Breast implant revision surgery typically involves removing the original implants and replacing them with new ones. In some cases, that means changing the size or material of the implants for a more pleasing look and feel. In other cases, it involves correcting problems with the original implants or addressing complications. The goal of the procedure is to restore a youthful, natural-looking contour.
Because there can be many reasons for revision, and because each patient’s ideal look is unique, the procedure is highly customizable. Dr. Wilson will work with you to understand your goals and diagnose the cause of any problems to plan a procedure tailored to your needs.
Meet Dr. Wilson
Anthony Wilson, MD, FACS has vast experience performing facial, body, and reconstructive procedures. After receiving an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and completing training with a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Wilson has continued to improve his technique to ensure the best results possible. Learn More about Anthony Wilson, MD, FACS and why you should choose the Board-Certified plastic surgeon for your next procedure in the Seacoast Region.
Why You Might Consider Breast Implant Revision
There are many reasons to consider breast implant revision, from the desire for larger or smaller breasts to the need to correct problems with the original implants. It’s also the case that implants don’t last forever, and after 10 or 20 years, you may wish to get them replaced.
The most common reason for wanting implant revision is a desire for a change in breast size. That might be a desire for larger breasts if you consider the original implants to be too small. Or, you may want smaller breasts now than you did when you had your original implants placed. Natural breast size and shape can also change with time, as the result of aging, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations, and implants that gave you a beautiful look when you first got them may no longer be the best fit for your body. These are all legitimate reasons for seeking a breast implant revision.
A range of problems can also occur with breast implants over time, and these may trigger a more urgent need for revision.
The body naturally responds to the presence of foreign material by surrounding it with a thin layer of scar tissue, called a capsule. This phenomenon happens with knee and hip replacements, and it occurs with breast implants too. But in some cases, the capsule around a breast implant starts to thicken and contract. This issue can result in misshapen, hardened breasts, and can sometimes cause discomfort. Revision to correct capsular contracture involves removing the thickened scar tissue along with the original implant before placing the new insert. Dr. Wilson also uses Strattice™, a biological scaffolding material, to line the implant pocket, which may reduce the risk of capsular contracture recurrence.
Implants can rupture, requiring removal or replacement. When saline implants rupture, the problem is cosmetic. The leaked fluid is not a health concern, but when the implant deflates, the breast loses volume. Rupture of a silicone implant is not as visible, but you should have the leaked material removed.
Over time, implants can shift out of position, resulting in an unnatural look.
- When the implants migrate downward, the result can be “bottoming out,” where the nipple appears to be too high and the main volume of the breast too low. If an implant shifts even further down, the result is a “double bubble,” in which the implant appears as a bulge below the lower crease of the breast.
- When implants shift upward, the breasts have an unnatural bulge above the nipple.
- Implants can shift to and merge in the center of the chest, a condition called symmastia.
- Implants can also shift to the outsides of the breast, pushing the nipples to face inward.
A revision procedure can correct all these malposition problems. Dr. Wilson will typically repair and reinforce the implant pocket with Strattice™ biological scaffolding material to ensure that the new implants remain in place.
Underfilled saline implants can sometimes cause a rippling or wrinkling effect on the surface of the breast. If this is troubling, there are several revision options at your disposal to correct it. These include replacing the saline implant with a silicone gel implant, removing the implant and placing a new one below the muscle of the chest wall, or thickening the tissue around a new implant with Strattice™ biological scaffolding material.
Schedule a Consultation
From Breast Augmentation to Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty and everything in-between, Board-Certified plastic surgeon Anthony Wilson, MD, FACS offers a wide range of procedures at his Portsmouth, NH office. If you are interested in booking a procedure, take the next step by scheduling a consultation today.
What Are the Options in Breast Implant Revision?
As with your original breast augmentation procedure, you will have several options when replacing your implants. Dr. Wilson will review these with you and make recommendations based on your anatomy and the condition of your current implants. These choices include:
- Implant type: Saline or silicone gel, with the additional choice of Ideal (“structured”) saline implants or “gummy bear” (“form-stable”) silicone implants.
- Implant location: Above the pectoral muscle (subglandular placement) or below the muscle (subpectoral placement).
- Tissue reinforcement: Weak or inadequate tissue inside the breast is often the cause of malposition problems and can make rippling from saline implants more visible. Dr. Wilson may recommend reinforcing and thickening the tissue around the implant with Strattice™, a biological material. Strattice™ can reduce the risk of capsular contracture and implant migration, and can improve the appearance of saline implants.
Breast Implant Revision FAQs
Recovery from breast implant revision is similar to recovery from your original breast augmentation. You’ll need help around the house for the first couple of days, as you won’t be able to lift anything heavy. You’ll be able to return to office-type work after four to seven days and resume light exercise after about two weeks. You can then gradually build up to activity until you reach your normal level at about six weeks.
Dr. Wilson typically uses the original incision lines for breast implant revision, so your scars will be about the same as they are now.
Breast implant revision results are long-lasting, but they aren’t permanent. Aging and weight fluctuations can affect the appearance of your breasts, with or without implants. You can expect the implants themselves to remain intact for at least 10 years. Dr. Wilson will perform the revision procedure in a way to minimize the risk of problems before that.
Schedule a Consultation
Contact our Portsmouth, NH, office today at 603-294-4526 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wilson. He will guide you through the process of implant revision, tailor his recommendations to your unique needs, and answer all your questions.