Reasons for Breast Implant Revision
Breast implants have a life expectancy of about 10 years, which means most women with breast implants will require breast implant revision. Known as secondary breast augmentation, breast implant revision may be necessary to address both aesthetic and health issues. At our Edina plastic surgery practice, we can discuss your specific needs and goals for your secondary breast augmentation procedure. In the meantime, we offer this overview of possible reasons for breast implant revision.
Ruptured Implant
Unfortunately, silicone and saline breast implants may rupture or leak. Saline and silicone implants rupture in different manners. A damaged silicone implant tends to deflate slowly, which means the damage may go unnoticed. Women with silicone implants should have routine tests performed to ensure their implants are not leaking. Ruptured saline implants are more noticeable as they deflate quickly. This deflation can cause one breast to look smaller than the other. Ruptured implants do not always cause symptoms, however, if you notice any of the following you should seek treatment to ensure your breast implants have not ruptured.
- Change in size or shape of the breast
- Swelling or numbness in the breast tissue
- Pain or a burning sensation within the breast
- Hardened breast tissue that may include hard knots around the implant and possibly in the underarm area
Hardened Breast Tissue
Over time, the tissue around the breast implants may harden. This hardening of the breast tissue is referred to as capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is the manifestation of the immune system protecting the body from a foreign object, the breast implant, and can only be repaired with secondary breast augmentation. Capsular contracture is very painful and can cause the hardened breast to feel unnatural and appear uneven and misshaped.
Improving Aesthetics
The natural breasts continue to change as we age, despite having breast implants. Breast implants, which once gave you perky breasts may now have shifted with the natural aging of the body. Breast implant revision can restore the augmented breast to a firmer, fuller appearance. For some women, breast implant revision may be necessary to improve the aesthetics of a poorly done breast augmentation; for others, the treatment is performed to change the size, shape, or filler material of the implants.
Symmastia
Another possible reason for secondary breast augmentation is to correct a rare condition called symmastia, also known as “bread loafing.” Symmastia occurs when too much tissue is taken from the cleavage area. This causes the breasts to sit too closely together, causing the two breasts to appear to be one. Symmastia requires surgical revision from an experienced surgeon.
Schedule a Consultation for Your Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision can improve your confidence and ease discomfort you may be experiencing from a damaged implant. If your breast implants are close to or over 10 years old, you may be ready for secondary breast augmentation. We offer our patients in Edina breast augmentation treatments to meet each individual's needs. We invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gregory Mesna for your personalized treatment plan.
