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Atlanta breast revision

Ask Dr. Elliott: Will I Need Another Breast Surgery in the Future?

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Every patient wants to hear that they’ll always look as great as they will in the year after their surgery. After all, who among us hasn’t wished we could permanently freeze our appearance at a certain age or weight? But the reality is that aging will always take a toll, as may other changes in our lives. With this in mind, many patients who see me for breast surgery (such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast lift) ask me, “will I need another surgery in later years?”

Ask Dr. Elliott Will I Need Another Breast Surgery in the FutureWhile the word “need” doesn’t generally apply to plastic surgery because it’s primarily a cosmetic choice, the short answer is yes. If you want your breasts to continue looking their best, it can only be achieved through additional surgeries in the future. As most women know all too well, there are many changes that can affect the breasts. Aging alone causes your skin to become less firm, and because the breasts are constantly fighting gravity, this results in sagging or drooping breasts. Weight fluctuations and hormonal changes can cause changes to the breasts as well, but some of the most powerful contributors to changing breast shape are pregnancy and breastfeeding. In any case, if you’re still happy with the size of your breasts but you want to restore them to a more youthful position, a breast lift may possibly be the best choice.

However, there are also a number of other reasons you may choose or need to have a follow-up breast surgery, often called breast revision. Complications like capsular contracture (when the scar tissue hardens around the implant) and implant shifting are rare, but they can typically be improved with a relatively straightforward surgery. In other cases, women choose to undergo secondary surgery because they’re no longer happy with the size or type of implant they chose for their first surgery. For instance, you may prefer a more modest bust in your 50s than you did in your 20s, or you may have received a saline implant but would now prefer the more advanced silicone implants available. In the case of women who have had a breast reduction, some experience further breast growth in the future and need a new surgery to restore their preferred breast size.

It’s also important to recognize that breast implants will not necessarily last forever. Eventually (perhaps after 10-20 years) they may need to be replaced with newer implants due to a rupture or other defect that has developed. So, for women who have had had a breast augmentation, you might have one or more future surgeries to keep your implants functioning the way you want them to.

It’s fascinating how our aesthetic perspective changes over time. Children delight in seeing how much they’ve grown from one year to the next, while most adults actually wish they could take their appearance back in time instead. When it comes to breast surgery (and most other aesthetic goals, for that matter), remember that looking and feeling your best is an ongoing process that can offer years of improved self-confidence if you remain committed to your health. If you’re ready to get started by discussing your options for your first breast surgery or a follow-up procedure, schedule a consultation with me, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more cosmetic surgery tips and health news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Why Some Women Choose Breast Revision

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For women who are insecure about the size and shape of their breasts, cosmetic surgery can be a life-changing experience by giving them a confidence they’ve never had before. But, while nearly every patient plans for her results to last forever, some do find themselves back in the operating room years later for a breast revision procedure. When most people hear that a woman had a breast revision, they assume it’s because something went wrong or she wasn’t happy with her results, but in reality, that’s often not the case. To help patients develop a better understanding of what breast revision is and why over 70,000 women received the procedure last year, I’ve examined a few of the many reasons why a woman may opt for this surgery.

  • breast-reduction-atlanta-georgiaHer breasts have changed since her last surgery.

Nearly every part of our bodies change with age, but this is especially true for breasts. For instance, a woman may have breast augmentation in her early 20s and be thrilled with her results, but after twenty years of aging, weight fluctuations, and possibly even pregnancies and breastfeeding, her chest can look completely different by her early 40s. In this case, breast revision can be a way to restore her breasts to a shape and size that makes her feel confident once again.

  • She wants to take advantage of changes in breast implants.

Today, breast implants come in a variety of shapes and materials so that women can have greater control over the feel and appearance of their enhanced breasts. Unfortunately, not all of these same options were available decades ago (or, in some cases, just a few years ago), so breast revision can be used to exchange one type of implant for another.

  • She has complications which need to be corrected.

While complications with breast surgery are very rare, some do occur and may require a surgical procedure. In some cases, the scar tissue your body natural forms around the implant becomes hardened and gives the breast a less natural feel. Or, the breast implant may rupture or change position. In these cases, breast revision may resolve these issues and restore the feel and appearance the patient once enjoyed.

  • She wants to improve upon her initial results.

There are times when a patient’s breast enhancement results aren’t exactly what she expected. In the case of breast surgery, the two breasts may be asymmetrical or the size or shape may not be what the patient had hoped for. Fortunately, breast revision is an option which can allow many patients to achieve the appearance they were hoping for.

  • Her vision for the breasts she wants has changed.

As years go by, a patient may change her opinion about the size or shape she wants her breasts to be. For these women, changing the size or shape of her breast implants may allow her to once again feel like confident in her appearance.

Breast revision can serve many purposes, and the procedure can be very different from one patient to another. However, the overall intention is always the same: to help the patient to be happier with the appearance of her breasts. To discuss whether breast revision or another plastic surgery procedure is the right choice for you, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more helpful information and the latest cosmetic surgery news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

After Breast Surgery

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Many patients are diligent about preparing for breast surgery: they research their options, research their surgeon, schedule consultations, and follow preparation instructions to the letter. But often patients look at the procedure itself as the “finish line” and don’t give much thought to what happens after the procedure. Whether you’re having breast reconstruction, breast augmentation, or breast reduction, it’s important to have realistic expectations for your surgical results and the recovery period, so I’ve simplified the information and provided a quick guide of what you need to know about recovering from breast surgery.

Breast reconstruction surgery recovery informationWhat to expect after breast augmentation
Recovering from breast augmentation surgery is generally manageable. I’ve found that within 3-4 days after the procedure, most patients can comfortably perform about 80% of their usual day-to-day activities. As many patients would expect, the last piece of recovery is typically the ability to perform physical exercise. While I encourage most patients to begin taking walks for exercise around 1 week after their surgery, most women are not ready for higher-impact activities (such as jogging or running) until between 3 weeks and 6 weeks post-surgery.

The risk of complications from a breast augmentation is very low, but it is still important to be aware of the risks so that you can identify if there is a concern. One potential complication is called capsular contracture. Any time there is a foreign object in the body, our bodies build a scar capsule around it. Capsular contracture occurs when this scar capsule hardens and gives the breast an unnaturally firm feel. Another complication to look for is implant malposition, in which the implant shifts out of position.

What to expect after breast reduction
After breast reduction surgery, most patients can expect to be returning to work and performing most of their day-to-day activities within 1-2 weeks post-surgery. However, patients are typically advised to minimize physical activity for 2-4 weeks, and may also be instructed to wear surgical bras (specially designed bras for post-breast reduction patients) for about a month after the procedure.

Many patients ask whether a reduced ability to breastfeed may be a complication of breast reduction surgery (as well as breast augmentation surgery), but breastfeeding issues occur in a very small percentage of breast surgery patients. It’s also important to keep in mind that breast fluctuations that accompany pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect the longevity of your surgical results.

What to expect after breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a highly varied procedure because patients’ needs differ widely. For example, some patients require a full reconstruction of one breast or both breasts, while others simply require partial reconstruction of a breast that has been deformed due to a lumpectomy. Even among patients who require similar reconstructions, there are numerous options regarding what type of tissue or implant is used and how exactly the procedure is performed. These varied procedural techniques can significantly vary the recovery expectations (healing can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 8 weeks), so it is vital to discuss your options in your consultation and to understand the differences between the procedure before making your decision.

Breast revision surgery
No matter how well-planned and well-orchestrated a breast surgery is, there is always the possibility of needing future revisions. Breast revision surgery may be performed to rectify complications that have arisen after the initial surgery, such as ruptured implants, capsular contracture, or implant malposition after a breast augmentation, or future fluctuations in breast size after breast reduction. Or, some women simply choose to have their breasts adjusted. Many factors can cause a patient to desire a breast revision, from experiencing changes to her results due to pregnancy or weight fluctuations, to simply a changing opinion on what type of breasts best compliment her body.

For any breast surgery patient, it is important to have the appropriate balance of preparing for all the possibilities involved in recovery and reminding oneself that recovery is likely to go very smoothly so you can soon be enjoying breasts that are better aligned with your body and your self-image. The best way to ensure a successful surgery and recovery is to work with a highly-qualified plastic surgeon. While this is a rather simple procedure, it is sometimes offered by doctors who are not qualified. Before any cosmetic procedure, it is vital to ensure that it will be performed by a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who has admitting privileges at a reputable hospital in the case of any complications. To take the first step toward your breast surgery, schedule an appointment or join me, board-certified Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.