Breast implants are not lifetime devices. Most women who have breast augmentation will have at least one revision surgery during their lifetime, whether due to a complication, a change in aesthetic goals, implant aging, or a desire to change size or type. Board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Farah Naz Khan in Dallas provides comprehensive breast implant revision surgery, helping patients address whatever is no longer working about their current augmentation.
Common Reasons for Breast Implant Revision
Capsular Contracture
The formation of a thickened, hardened capsule around the implant that causes firmness, discomfort, and distortion. Revision involves capsulectomy (capsule removal) and implant replacement, often with change of pocket plane to reduce recurrence risk.
Implant Malposition
Implants that have shifted from their original position, dropping too low (bottoming out), moving too far apart (lateral displacement), or migrating toward the center (symmastia). Correction involves releasing or reinforcing the pocket boundaries to reposition the implants correctly.
Implant Rupture
Silicone implant ruptures are often silent and may only be detected on MRI. Saline rupture is immediately apparent as the implant deflates. Both require implant replacement surgery.
Rippling or Wrinkling
Visible or palpable rippling of the implant through the skin. Common in thin patients or those who have lost soft tissue coverage over time. Correction may involve changing to submuscular placement, switching implant type, or adding fat grafting over the implant.
Size Change
The desire to go larger, smaller, or change implant type is one of the most common reasons for revision. Aesthetic preferences and life circumstances change over time.
Implant Age
Many patients choose to replace implants after fifteen to twenty years as a precautionary measure, even if no complication has occurred.
Revision With or Without a Lift
A common finding in revision surgery is that the breast has sagged since the original augmentation. In these cases, revision may involve not just implant replacement but also a concurrent breast lift (mastopexy) to restore position and shape. Dr. Khan evaluates each patient’s breast anatomy carefully to determine whether a lift is needed for optimal results.
What Makes Revision Surgery More Complex
Breast implant revision is generally more complex than primary augmentation because the surgeon is working within an existing altered anatomy, potentially with scar tissue and pocket changes. Choosing a surgeon experienced specifically in revision breast surgery is important.
Dr. Khan provides breast implant revision surgery to patients in Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, Frisco, and the greater DFW metroplex. To discuss your revision needs, schedule a consultation at khanplasticsurgery.com.