Breast Revision in Port Saint Lucie, FL

Breast augmentation is one of the most requested cosmetic surgeries in America, and in many cases, allows for terrific outcomes. However, sometimes a woman can be unhappy with the results of her breast implants and at some point may want them removed or revised. Port Saint Lucie, FL board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. William Vinyard offers breast revision surgery for women for implant replacement, removal, and repair. It is important to note not all revision treatments are due to practitioner error. While there are a few surgeries that do end with an unpleasing outcome, there are women who have specific reasons for revising their primary augmentation. In addition, there are some women who must have revision surgery for a particular condition. It is important to note not all revision treatments are due to practitioner error. Dr. Vinyard will treat breast revision patients even if he did not perform the first augmentation. Capsular contracture, implant rupture, asymmetry, displacement, rippling, size change, or the desire to remove the implants entirely are all reasons why women seek revision surgery. It can be embarrassing to live with breast implants that "just don't look right" or are different in shape, size, or projection. Confiding in a board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon, like Dr. Vinyard, about your breast implant issues is a great first step in the journey to revising your first surgery. Schedule a one-on-one a consultation at VIPS so you can discuss your concerns and goals.

If you have any concerns (whether medical or aesthetic) about your breast implants, please schedule a consultative appointment with Dr. Vinyard to develop your personalized plan for breast revision surgery. Whether it is scarring, drooping or sagging, rippling, or uneven breasts, revision surgery can help correct the deformity and result in a more normal and healthy breast appearance. This procedure can also help if you are wanting to change size, implant styles, or address any other aspect of your augmentation. You are a candidate for revision surgery or breast implant exchange if you have had your implants for years.

Breast revision surgery either takes out an implant that is not working or functioning correctly or is no longer wanted. Breast revision surgery may also be performed to switch implant size or go from an implant to a fat transfer (or vice versa). There are a few other common cases in which a revision surgical treatment is desired or required:

Even though this is rarely seen, implant rupture can occur. If a saline implant type ruptures, deflation will take place almost immediately. Therefore, a visible deflation will occur. On the other hand, if the implant is silicone based and ruptures, it is only seen through an MRI. Whether silicone or saline, if a rupture happens, a secondary procedure will be required.

This is the term used for scar tissue hardening, occurring when the delicate tissue around the saline or silicone implant becomes hard and thickens. Although many implant surgeries do produce internal scar tissue, most women will never see or feel it. In some situations, the scarring could interfere with implant placement, which can change the breast shape and implant functionality and deliver an undesirable outcome. Capsular contracture surgery to clear away scar tissue would be recommended.

Many women develop breasts that are not even in size or shape. When you have breast implants and one breast is larger than the other, you have a breast asymmetry. Nipples and areolas might not heal the same and look uneven or unbalanced on the chest. You should see a board-certified plastic surgeon to assess your breasts to see what is causing the asymmetry. Surgery would be needed to correct the problem. New implants would be positioned to create a symmetrical result.

Breast implant displacement is a condition that happens when one or both breast implants drop low or "bottom out." This occurs when the implant moves below the support structures in the breast soft tissues that make up the natural crease beneath the breast. In many cases, this is a situation where there was a positioning error from the first surgical procedure. Dr. Vinyard will present several options to a patient with "bottoming out" implants, but it would need surgery for repair.

Symmastia is a condition that takes place when implants are inserted and placed too close together. In most cases, this is because the implant used was the wrong shape and width. A revision treatment will correct this problem by utilizing an implant that fits your body type and looks pleasing to the eye.

Implant rippling is a condition that occurs when there are obvious ripples and wrinkles beneath the skin. Rippling generally forms just along the edging of the implant nd is more common in patients who have a low body weight. Often, this condition can be fixed by simply changing to a silicone implant.

There are times a secondary breast surgery is as simple as receiving a smaller or larger sized implant. With the original surgery, you may have opted to be too conservative or selected a size that no longer fits your lifestyle. A new breast implant of a different size can be switched with the original to reach the desired aesthetic goal.

Revision breast surgery is performed with general anesthesia. Recovery from a revision surgery varies based upon the complexity. Keep in mind that if you have a revision surgery that warrants many complex surgical techniques, you may need a longer recovery that could possibly take up to several months. Patients will begin to see their newly revised outcomes once the swelling disappears. The goal following revision breast surgery is to reach a result that is both natural-looking and corrects the concern from the primary augmentation. We will take about expectations, recovery, and more when you visit our office and go through the consultation process.

Revision surgery for breast implants is a custom treatment tailored for your aesthetic goals by board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. Vinyard. If you notice a visible defect with your breast implants or fancy a different outcome, we welcome you to get in touch with our Port Saint Lucie, FL office to make your appointment at VIPS. There are so many factors to think about in revision surgery and Dr. Vinyard will perform a full physical assessment, create your revision treatment plan, and help you set realistic expectations.

How much does breast revision surgery cost?
The cost of breast revision surgery can vary greatly depending on what needs to be done. During your consultation, Dr. Vinyard will listen to your concerns and goals before performing a physical exam to assess your implants. Then, he can talk about your options before developing your surgical plan. The cost of revision surgery will depend on the complexity of the procedure, as well as what you choose for your new implants. It is best to focus on getting the results you want from a plastic surgeon that you trust rather than the cheapest option. To help make your surgery easy to afford, VIPS  accepts many different payment methods and we can help you find low-interest financing through CareCredit.

What if Dr. Vinyard wasn't my original surgeon?
Dr. Vinyard can perform your revision surgery even if he wasn't the surgeon who did your original breast augmentation. Breast revision surgery can be more complex than the original augmentation if you want dramatic changes or have problems, so it's best to find a board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon like Dr. Vinyard who has years of experience and advanced training in breast surgery. Dr. Vinyard also welcomes his patients to return to VIPS for revision surgery after their augmentation surgery if they have a problem or want a change.

What about loose skin?
If you are having your implants removed or are changing to a significantly smaller size of implants, you may need to have excess skin removed during your surgery. After listening to your goals and assessing your current implants, Dr. Vinyard can discuss the need for a breast lift to remove loose skin. If you lose a significant amount of weight, become pregnant, or breastfeed after augmentation surgery, a revision with a lift can help you get better results.

Will there be new scars?
When possible, Dr. Vinyard will make incisions for revision surgery in the original location of your first augmentation surgery. However, if this is not possible, he will place new incisions where they will be less visible. Breast revision surgery typically uses a transaxillary incision (through the armpit), a periareolar incision (on the lower edge of the areola), an inframammary incision (under the fold of the breast), or TUBA incision (through the belly button). Dr. Vinyard or a member of his team will go over scar care management so your incisions heal smoothly and blend into your skin.

Do I have to change my implants?
While implants can last a long time, they do need to be replaced at some point. After augmentation surgery, it is important to have your implants checked regularly so Dr. Vinyard can help you decide when your implants should be replaced. With so many advances in the medical field, you may want to consider the newest implant shapes and types to achieve your best look during breast revision surgery.