Breast Revision
While most breast implants never cause a problem after breast augmentation, some Tijuana and San Diego women experience changes after surgery that warrant a revision, such as an implant rupture or capsular contracture.
Other women are simply ready for a cosmetic change. At Plastic Surgery Tijuana we have the knowledge and skill for these more challenging procedures, specializing in revision treatment for patients who are dissatisfied with results from a past breast augmentation.
Because a breast augmentation revision is particularly complex, we invite anyone who is considering the procedure to start a FREE online consultation or call us at +1(619) 598-2517 to schedule an appointment.
Do I Need A Breast Revision?
There are many reasons a woman might want to revise the results of breast augmentation surgery. Most fall into 2 main categories: elective implant exchange or complications. Explore each below.
Elective Implant Exchange
Sometimes women who have breast implants are not experiencing any problems with them, but they simply want to change their implants for a different type, shape, or projection, or want to increase or decrease volume.
Newer breast implant choices have been introduced in the past 5 years, presenting women with more options, and it’s completely understandable to want to take advantage of the benefits they offer.
Another reason a woman may choose to exchange her implants is that they may have looked great in her 30s, but they may not look as good as she continues to age. This is because breast tissue can become less dense or can be redistributed. In this instance, she might be a candidate for a breast implant exchange and a breast lift.
Some women even choose to have their breast implants removed completely (called “explantation”).
Dr. Rafael Camberos has the experience to provide beautiful results in all of these cases for our Tijuana, San Diego, and US patients.
Complications
In general, you are also a good candidate for a breast augmentation revision if your initial surgery didn’t produce the results you wanted, or if changes such as these have occurred since that initial surgery:
- Asymmetry
- Deflation
- Bottoming out or “double bubble”
- Implant rippling
- Implant rupture
- Capsular contracture
These complications are cosmetic in nature and don’t pose any health risks. In the case of a rupture or capsular contracture, telltale signs include tenderness or pain, a hardening of the breast, and visible deformities in shape or symmetry.
If you are displeased with your initial results, it’s important to wait at least 6 months after your breast augmentation surgery before considering a revision. Your body needs that time to fully heal — and it’s possible that your final results may improve.
What to Expect
In a breast augmentation revision, Dr. Camberos may need to remedy scar tissue, work with skin that has stretched or thinned out, or repair the chest wall. Every procedure is unique, but they all demand advanced surgical techniques to deal with the complexities that arise.
While surgical techniques will vary depending on the nature of the corrections you would like to see, your experience will likely be similar to your initial breast augmentation surgery.
As much as possible, Dr. Rafael Camberos will try to work with the same incision sites as your initial surgery, but it may be necessary to make additional incisions. You will be placed under general anesthesia for the procedure and will be able to return home a few hours afterward.
Breast Lift Information
For more information about breast revision surgery, request a virtual consultation. Or you can call our office at +1 (619) 598- 2517 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.
- STOP SMOKING: Smoking reduces circulation to the skin and impedes healing. It is best to avoid smoking, second hand smoke and cigarette replacements, such as nicotine patches or gum, in the perioperative period. While you should ideally stop smoking for 2 weeks before and after your surgical procedure, YOU MUST NOT SMOKE FOR A MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS BEFORE AND 24 HOURS AFTER SURGERY.
- TAKE MULTIVITAMINS: Start taking multivitamins twice daily to improve your general health once you have scheduled your surgery.
- TAKE VITAMIN C: Start taking 500 mg of Vitamin C twice daily to promote healing.
- START TAKING AN IRON SUPPLEMENT: A good iron supplement, such as Feosol, is required starting one week before surgery and four weeks following surgery. Bowel movements may appear darker than usual as a result. Feosol is available without prescription.
- DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN: Stop taking medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen. Review the list of drugs containing aspirin and ibuprofen carefully. Such drugs can cause bleeding problems during and after surgery. Instead, use medications containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).
- LIMIT VITAMIN E: Limit your intake of Vitamin E to less than 400 mg per day.
- FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS: You will be given prescriptions for medications. Please have them filled BEFORE the day of surgery and bring them with you.
- CONFIRM SURGERY TIME: We will call you to confirm the time of your surgery. If you are not going to be at home or at your office, please call us to confirm at +1 (619) 598 – 2517.
- PRESCRIPTIONS: Make sure that you have filled the prescriptions you were given and set the medications out to bring with you tomorrow.
- CLEANSING: The night before surgery, shower and wash the surgical areas with an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard, pHisoHex, or Phase II I.
- EATING AND DRINKING: Do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight except for a small amount of water to rinse your mouth while brushing your teeth.
- SPECIAL INFORMATION: Do not eat or drink anything! If you take a daily medication, you may take it with a sip of water in the early morning.
- ORAL HYGIENE: You may brush your teeth but do not swallow the water.
- CLEANSING: Shower and wash the surgical areas again with an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard, pHisoHex, or Phase Ill.
- MAKE-UP: Please do not wear moisturizers, creams, lotions, or makeup.
- CLOTHING: Wear only comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that does not go over your head. NO TIGHT PANTS. Remove hairpins, wigs, and jewelry. Please do not bring valuables with you.
- CHECK IN/PREPARATION: Surgery Time:
- You should plan to arrive 45 minutes earlier than your scheduled surgery time. Patients less than 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. When you arrive at our office on the day of your surgery, give the receptionist the phone number of the pharmacy you would like us to call for any special medications our surgeon and associates might prescribe.
- CARETAKER: Someone must spend the first night after surgery with you.
First, you must understand the normal progress after your surgery:
- It is normal to feel weak and tired during the first 3 to 5 days after the surgery.
- Having all the operated and surrounding areas bruised and swollen is a normal part of the progress, this will disappear after the next 2 or 3 weeks.
- At the beginning, it is probable that you do not like the shape of your breasts due to the swelling. It is necessary to wait at least 2 months to see a better shape.
- It takes several weeks to feel the skin soft and natural. It is normal to feel different sensations in your skin as itching, numbness, burning, tingling, pins and needles. You will recover the normal sensation slowly
- It is necessary to rest at home at least 2 weeks after surgery. Going out to parties, to the mall and sporting events is prohibited.
- Avoid staying in bed all day long. It is necessary to walk in your house to move around it, like going to the living room, bathroom, etc. You can go up and down the stairs carefully as many times as needed.
- It is necessary to be helped to take showers the first 3 days after surgery.
- Eat any food you normally eat.
- Drink alcoholic beverages only after you have stopped taking your pain medications.
- Do not smoke for 6 weeks after surgery.
- Do not sleep on your stomach for 6 weeks.
- Do not lift objects up to 10 pounds during the first 2 weeks.
- Do not run, jump or perform any other vigorous physical activity for 6 weeks.
- Take a shower every day, wash your wounds carefully with water and soap.
- Avoid removing adhesive tape placed under your wounds for 4 weeks.
- Make sure to dry your wounds well (you should use a hairdryer on a low setting to completely dry the adhesive tapes).
- Wear your post-surgery bra at least 6 weeks after surgery 24/7, taking them off only for showering.