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Dr. Shuster’s Specialized Breast Revision

When you’re unhappy with your implants, you have a constant reminder of the problem. This can have a negative impact on your self-image and confidence. However, you can achieve the appearance you originally wanted with a breast implant revision. Dr. Shuster finds it very rewarding to help women who are bothered by their original breast implants. This safe and effective procedure can be truly transformative for mind, body, and spirit.

Removing or Replacing Implants

Dr. Shuster is the ideal surgeon to remove or replace your implants. He will carefully listen to your reasons for choosing breast revision so that he can develop an appropriate surgical plan for your desired outcome. His goal is to safely deliver the look you want and help you love your breasts again.

What to Expect During Your Consultation

Your initial consultation with Dr. Shuster will be one of the most important parts of your breast implant revision journey. This is because during this meeting, you will be able to explain to Dr. Shuster why you’re unhappy with your implants and what your hopes are for the surgery. 

This is the time for you to work together to develop a surgical plan and achieve a full understanding of what will happen during the procedure. Shuster Plastic Surgery serves Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and the surrounding areas of Florida.

Dr. Shuster is not only a true master at his trade, but he has exquisite bedside manners as well. He was able to provide the best of all possible surgery in a challenging situation. I could not be more pleased with the results!

Grace L.

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Common Reasons for Breast Implant Revision

  • Changing breast implant size
  • Breast implant deflation
  • Breast implant rupture
  • Capsular contracture
  • Malposition

Common Reasons for Breast Implant Revision

  • Changing breast implant size
  • Breast implant deflation
  • Breast implant rupture
  • Capsular contracture
  • Malposition
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Changing Breast Implant Size

Size is among the most common reasons women choose to have a breast implant exchange. Over the course of a woman’s life, her breasts change, and there are times when she may wish for fuller, or smaller, implants. 

In most cases, the surgery to change the size of the breast implants is more straightforward and easier to recover from than the initial surgery. The reason for this is that the pocket (the space around the breast implant) has already been created.

For exchanges to larger implants, the pocket may need to be expanded. It is unusual, but for exchanges to smaller breast implants, the pocket may need to be partially closed. In either case, breast revision is usually less painful and easier to recover from than the initial breast augmentation.

Breast Implant Deflation

Saline breast implants can leak. When this occurs, the saline slowly leaks out, and the implant deflates. Because saline is the body’s natural fluid, this does not pose a health risk. However, the affected breast will get smaller as the fluid is absorbed. The treatment for this is to replace the implant. For this reason, it’s quite helpful for women to keep records regarding their breast augmentation. Specifically, they should receive a card at the time of surgery that states the manufacturer, model, and size of the implants. The opposite breast does not require treatment unless the implants have been in for a considerable amount of time, in which case it may be prudent to exchange that implant as well, or if the patient wishes to change size. Another reason why patients decide to exchange breast implants is that they wish to switch from saline breast implants to silicone gel, or vice versa.

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Capsular Contracture

Capsular contracture involves a hardening of the breast after augmentation. There’s always a scar tissue capsule that forms around an implant because it’s simply the body’s response to a foreign object. While this capsule typically remains soft, it can contract, causing the breast to feel firm and the chest to appear visibly distorted. If there’s only a slight hardening of the breast, treatment may be observation. When the breast is very hard, re-operation is considered. Capsular contracture is a frustrating condition for both patient and surgeon. 

There is no definitive understanding of why this occurs, nor can it be predicted to whom this will occur. It occurs less often when implants are placed in the submuscular position. For this reason, when it occurs in a patient with subglandular implants, Dr. Shuster will often recommend treating the scar tissue and moving the implants to a submuscular pocket. When a patient with submuscular implants develops capsular contracture, Dr. Shuster will usually treat this by releasing the scar tissue (a procedure called “capsulotomy”) and/or removing scar tissue (a procedure called “capsulectomy”). These revisions will also involve a breast implant exchange.

Malposition

Over the course of time, a woman’s breast will change — and the position of the breast implants may change as well. This may occur to an extent that the implants do not appear in proper relation to the breast. This is known as “malposition.” The implants may appear too far to the side or too low (termed “bottoming out”). When breast implants bottom out, the treatment is surgical. It involves manipulating the tissue to create an internal brassiere to support the breast implants in a proper position. A similar type of secondary breast implant revision can be performed for implants that have moved too far to the side.

Breast Implant Rupture

Silicone implants differ from saline in that if they leak or rupture, the body does not absorb all of the silicone. Generally, it remains in place. Some feel that the rupture can contribute to problems local to the breast, such as capsular contracture. The general view is that when there is a known or suspected gel implant rupture, the treatment of choice is to remove the ruptured gel breast implant and replace it. The new implants can be either silicone or saline.

Malposition

Over the course of time, a woman’s breast will change — and the position of the breast implants may change as well. This may occur to an extent that the implants do not appear in proper relation to the breast. This is known as “malposition.” The implants may appear too far to the side or too low (termed “bottoming out”). When breast implants bottom out, the treatment is surgical. It involves manipulating the tissue to create an internal brassiere to support the breast implants in a proper position. A similar type of secondary breast implant revision can be performed for implants that have moved too far to the side.

Breast Implant Rupture

Silicone implants differ from saline in that if they leak or rupture, the body does not absorb all of the silicone. Generally, it remains in place. Some feel that the rupture can contribute to problems local to the breast, such as capsular contracture. The general view is that when there is a known or suspected gel implant rupture, the treatment of choice is to remove the ruptured gel breast implant and replace it. The new implants can be either silicone or saline.

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Breast Revision Surgery Details

The exact details of your breast revision surgery will depend on your specific case. Dr. Shuster performs all surgeries in a hospital with a dedicated surgical and anesthesia team. Your surgery will be done under general anesthesia. During your consultation with Dr. Shuster, he can give you more details about what to expect during surgery. 

Recovery After Breast Revision

Every patient will have a different breast revision procedure and will therefore have a different recovery. In general, you can expect to wear a surgical garment after the procedure to help with support and healing, and you will need to take at least one week off work. Dr. Shuster will take you step-by-step through your recovery.

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Why Choose Dr. Shuster?

Dr. Bernard A. Shuster, MD, PA, is a board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon of the face, breast, and body in Hollywood, Florida, who has been in practice for over two decades. Dr. Shuster consistently delivers beautifully natural-looking results for discerning patients who want the very best treatment. Dr. Shuster is one of Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors and has also been named Best Plastic Surgeon by Newsweek 2021. More importantly, he is beloved by his patients for his warmth, honesty, and remarkable results. He takes particular care with breast revision procedures, as he understands it is a delicate surgery. If you’re in the Hollywood, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale areas and you’re considering breast implant revision, we encourage you to research Dr. Shuster to discover if he is the right surgeon for you. 

Breast Implant Revision FAQs:

Can breast implant revision address implant rippling or visible edges?

How often do breast implants need to be replaced?

What options are available if my breast implants feel too heavy?

Can breast implant revision address implant rippling or visible edges?

Yes, breast implant revision can correct visible rippling or the edges of implants showing through the skin. This issue is typically more common with saline implants or in patients with thin breast tissue, and revision surgery may involve replacing the implants or adjusting their placement to achieve a smoother contour.

How often do breast implants need to be replaced?

Many women choose to have implant revision surgery every 10-15 years or sooner if they experience complications or a change in aesthetic goals. However, there’s no strict timeline, and many implants last longer without issue.

What options are available if my breast implants feel too heavy?

If your breast implants feel too heavy or are causing discomfort, breast implant revision can involve switching to a lighter type of implant, such as a smaller size or different material, like silicone gel, which tends to feel more natural and lightweight.

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