Most breast surgery goes according to plan and may produce unfavourable results, but all surgery can have complication.
At Waverley House in Adelaide, breast revision surgery is used to reverse the effects of common complications, ensuring patients feel confident and comfortable.
Issues with Implants Over Time
Breast implant may have a lifespan of 10-15 years. However, problems such as malposition, implant rupture, capsular contracture, rippling and asymmetry can all occur before that time has elapsed. As the body ages, the original relationship that your skin and tissues had with an implant may evolve over time, resulting in an unacceptable appearance.
Pain, redness, swelling and a change in the shape and size of the breasts are all problematic signs. It’s highly recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified surgeon as soon as possible should you notice any significant changes or experience prolonged periods of discomfort for no apparent reason. Our plastic & reconstructive surgeon Dr Rodney Cooter has the knowledge and experience to respond on the best possible way in such situations.
Breast Implant Revision Surgery
The need for revisional surgery presents in many ways and correction may involve any combination of strategies, resulting in either a single or multi-stage procedure. Here are some of the ways that the breasts can be corrected:
Breast Implants Removal or Replacement: Patients who have experienced complications with their implants can either have one or both implants replaced or removed completely. If the patient prefers not to insert new implants, fat grafting can also be used to achieve a fuller, firmer result.
Scar Revision: If scarring is the main concern, steps can be taken to reduce the appearance of scars, giving the breasts a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Mastopexy (Breast Lift): Should the position of the breasts have changed due to overly large implants, weight loss or through aging; a Mastopexy will help to elevate the breasts higher up on the chest.
During your initial consultation at Waverley House Plastic Surgery Centre in Adelaide, Dr Cooter will take you through his recommendations and your specific preferences and concerns will be discussed before a tailored surgical plan is developed. If you decide to re-insert new implants, you will have the opportunity to decide on a different type, size and placement
It’s essential that you look at all possible options before you decide on how you want to correct your breasts to ensure you will be happy with the final results.
The length of your breast revision surgery will depend on the approach you have discussed and decided on with Dr Cooter. The average revision procedure can take between 1 & 3 hours complete and will often require a general anaesthetic.
Patients may be able to return home on the same day as their surgery but will need to spend time in a recovery room before a friend or family member can drive them home. Dr Cooter may ask you to spend a night or two in St Andrews Hospital if he deems it necessary.
Recovery after Breast Revision Surgery
Recovery will be different for every patient because no two surgeries are identical.
Following your surgery, drains will be inserted in order to remove any excess fluid; these drains will be removed 2 – 5 days later. A post-surgical bra will also need to be worn to reduce swelling, accelerate healing and support the breasts.
Patients generally need about 10 days before stitches are removed, after which their normal work routine can be resumed, provided the line of work isn’t overly strenuous. If it is, an additional week of recovery is highly recommended. The breasts may be swollen for several weeks after surgery. The final results of your revisionary procedure should be stable by 3 months after the procedure.
Dr Cooter will provide you with very clear and simple aftercare instructions that should be carefully followed in order to achieve a desirable outcome.
Light exercise will be possible three weeks after surgery but any activity that will place strain on the pectoral muscles will need to be avoided. Exercise levels can be increased 6 weeks after your breast revision procedure but your normal routine should only be resumed 3 months after your surgery.
At Waverley House, your breast augmentation will be automatically registered with the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR). Dr Cooter’s patients who receive a breast device are now automatically included in the Australian Breast Device Registry (unless they opt out) with the overall aim to improve patient outcomes with the assistance of a long-term database. Dr Cooter was one of the founders of the ABDR.
