Does Your Breast Augmentation Need a Facelift?

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Breast enhancement is the most popular cosmetic surgery among women for good reason—it boosts confidence and self-esteem, as well as improves body image. Breast implants are long-lasting devices, but even under ideal circumstances a revision surgery may be needed at some point during a woman's lifetime. In other cases, complications or dissatisfaction with the original augmentation procedure prompts the need for revision surgery.

"Women seek breast implant revision surgery for a variety of reasons," says Dr. Samir Pancholi, a Las Vegas cosmetic surgeon specializing in aesthetic breast procedures. "Some women simply want to change the size of their breasts, while others seek to correct problems related to their original augmentation. These women need to seek out a very experienced breast revision surgeon for any subsequent surgeries."

Breast revision surgery requires great surgical skill and attention to detail because the breasts have already been altered. Every detail of the original augmentation must be reconsidered, including the incision site, implant details, condition of the surrounding breast tissue and implant pocket, and so on. In some cases, the first surgery may have been performed by a surgeon with little experience in the intricacies of breast augmentation. There are several common reasons that breast implant revision surgeries are performed:

1. Change in size or type. Occasionally the needs of a patient will change as she ages or experiences a change in her lifestyle; in such cases there may be no clinical reason for a breast revision surgery. If the patient is unhappy with the size of her augmentation, it is vitally important to establish a good rapport with the surgeon performing the revision so both parties understand the goals for the revision surgery. In some cases, women opt to exchange their saline implants for silicone gel implants, which many consider to have a more natural feel.

2. Implant Malposition or Asymmetry. If breasts are noticeably misplaced, it may be necessary to consider a second surgery to fix the problem. Often the solutions to these problems of placement and symmetry require sophisticated surgical approaches, which can involve repositioning the implants, releasing breast tissue, or reconstructing the inframammary fold under the breast. An experienced cosmetic surgeon should be consulted to address these issues.

3. Shell Failure/Implant Deflation. It is possible that the shell of an implant will fail. If the shell on a saline implant fails, it will deflate quickly and the saline is harmlessly absorbed by the body. Modern silicone gel implant deflations can be detected with MRI and ultrasound and then should be replaced. Patients are generally encouraged to replace both implants in the case of deflation or shell failure; in the case of a saline implant, it is important to contact a surgeon as soon as the leak is detected to avoid changes in fibrous tissue around the implant. This may complicate the surgical process.

4. Capsular Contracture. When a breast implant is placed in the body, a capsule of scar tissue naturally forms around it. In some cases, the capsule surrounding the implant begins to harden and tighten on the implant, creating pain and an unnatural appearance. The cause for capsular contracture is unclear. Breast augmentation revision due to capsular contracture often involves further surgery to correct the contraction and reduce the chances of recurrence.

Even when a patient is completely happy with her breast augmentation results, she may require or elect to have revision surgery in the future. Choosing a cosmetic surgeon with extensive experience in breast implant revision procedures is the best step toward a successful surgery.

About Cosmetic Surgery of Las Vegas: Dr. Samir Pancholi specializes in cosmetic surgery, including breast augmentation and breast implant revision surgery. Although based in Las Vegas, his clientele comes from throughout the United States. Visit drpancholi.com or call 702.363.0240 for more information.

Media Contact: Dr. Samir Pancholi, 702.363.0240.

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SOURCE Cosmetic Surgery Center of Las Vegas