Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States, with studies showing high levels of satisfaction among patients years after their enhancements. However, there will always be a small number of exceptions.

The good news is that when women are not completely happy with their breast implants, they have options. Breast implant revision surgery is a successful way to remove implants or achieve a better surgical outcome. Renowned Beverly Hills breast specialist Dr. A.J. Khalil discusses factors that may motivate women to seek this procedure.

A Desire for a Different Size

Although plastic surgeons work with patients during the consultation phase to find their desired implant size, the preferences of patients can change over time. For example, the breast size a woman chooses in her 20s may not be as big or small as she would like when she enters her 30s. Breast implant revision is an opportunity to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that a patient remains happy with her body.

Capsular Contracture

When a pocket of breast tissue is cut out to make room for an implant, scar tissue forms around the implant. Capsular contracture is a complication that occurs when the scar tissue gets tighter, squeezing the implant into a different shape. This may make the breast look less natural and has the potential to cause some pain.

Ruptured Implant

Although implant ruptures are rare, they can occur. When a saline implant ruptures, it instantly deflates. Fortunately, saline can be safely absorbed by the body. It is easier for a ruptured silicone implant to go unnoticed. Health risks associated with a ruptured silicone implant are rare, but still significant enough to have it removed if discovered. 

Shifting

Occasionally an implant can shift out of position, particularly if the pocket holding it is too large to keep it in place. A drifting implant generally results in asymmetry between the breasts. To keep it back in place, Dr. Khalil will suture the pocket to a size that snugly holds the implant.

Rippling

There are some cases where an implant develops some wrinkling, and that undesirable texture becomes visible through the skin. It happens more frequently with women who choose saline implants or have smaller breasts with less elasticity. Inserting a replacement implant should resolve these issues.

Weight Loss

When a woman loses a significant amount of weight, breast volume is likely to diminish as part of that process. Breast augmentation takes into account a woman’s size at the time of the surgery — if that size changes significantly and the implants no longer correspond well, revision surgery may be the best solution to achieve attractive proportions.

Meet with Dr. Khalil

Because the presence of scar tissue makes implant revision surgery more difficult, many plastic surgeons do not offer this procedure. However, Dr. Khalil is an expert at breast surgeries, and has helped many women achieve improved outcomes after breast augmentation. To arrange a consultation, please call (310) 385-8601.