A lot of breast-augmentation candidates have the mistaken impression that their implants will need to be replaced every ten years, necessitating future surgeries. But this is a misconception; as long as implants are properly placed and not experiencing other issues, it’s not likely that a breast revision surgery is necessary. But there are some ways you can know whether breast revision surgery is a good option, depending on your circumstances.

Reasons to Consider Breast Revision

1. Your breast has changed in appearance or structure. Bodies change over time, and the appearance of your breasts might be altered due to pregnancy, weight-gain or an issue with the implants themselves. Saline or silicone breast implants may lose volume, causing a rippling shape to appear in the shape of the breast. Some complications with implants may even be painful. Capsular contracture, which is a formation of tight scar tissue around the implant, can cause discomfort or pain that will require a revision to address.
2. You experienced poor results from a past surgery. A badly done breast augmentation can result with an implant being poorly placed, possibly too high. The implant may “bottom out,” where it drops down to a position that is aesthetically too low for the position of the nipple. Other deformities, such as symmastia (where the skin between the breasts lifts up due to an overly aggressive release of the chest muscle) or “double-bubble” effect (where the edge of the breast implant is visible and the breast fails to conform to the shape of the implant) can also require a revision to correct.
3. You’re considering a smaller size. Some patients may no longer be happy with the size of their current their breast implants, changing their desired body shape. You might desire a return to your smaller breast size or even your original size, possibly with an accompanying breast lift. These types of revisions may help reduce back or neck pain that results from larger, heavier breast sizes that may have begun to cause you discomfort.

You should consult with a competent doctor about any of these reasons or other reasons that you feel might make breast revision a good choice for you. Knowledgeable professionals can lay out all of your possible options and help educate you about all the implications of surgery to help address your concerns.

Another option for patients considering breast augmentation is the New Ultra High Profile Breast Implant.

This new MENTOR Memory Gel Ultra High breast implant has now been made available to give patients optimal projection height as well as fill volume. It is most suitable for patients wanting more projection without the width. This implant will offer more upper chest shape and because of its memory gel fill, a fuller breast shape can be maintained. Ultra high silicone implants are the highest projection implant available in the U.S.

There are a few differences between a high and low profile breast implant. Low profile implants cover more diametrical area (footprint), and are shorter from base to projection (height). These sit more naturally in the breast pocket. High profile implants have a narrower footprint which creates a taller projection, and fills the breast pocket. A high and a low profile implant are both the same size in volume, but have completely different shapes. If a small framed woman received an implant that was wider than the base of her breast width the implant may come out too far on the sides of the breast.  It may also result in symmastia, which is where the breasts come so close together that they lift the skin in the cleavage area resulting in what is phrased as “uni-boob”.  This can result in an unnatural appearance and could cause discomfort, whereas the ultra high implants help provide a more normal sized implant for a thinner body type.

For best results, a woman will want to find an implant that is most proportionate to her body. This is achieved by meeting with the surgeon to decide which implant would be best for you based on your breast size and shape.  The projection of an implant can be determined partly by the patient’s torso size. Medium to large framed women who want ultra high profile implants will have an opportunity to consult with the doctor as they are measured and fitted for their needs. Ultra high profile implants on wrong patients could appear very abnormal, so the doctor will help to find the best fit for the patient.