Breast Revision Surgery and Breast Reconstruction Revision in Santa Barbara, CA
Breast revision surgery, also known as breast implant revision, revision breast reconstruction, corrective augmentation, or corrective reconstruction is simply the surgical repair of a previous breast surgery that did not have the intended outcome or needs an update. While there are many reasons that you may consider a revision breast surgery, one thing is certain: you need a highly-skilled surgeon who will strive to understand your aesthetic goals and develop a surgical plan that will meet your expectations after revision surgery.
Whatever your reasons and ultimate goals are for your breasts, Dr. Sara Yegiyants can help. She is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with a strong background in visual art prior to her study of medicine and surgery. Advancements in surgical techniques have allowed Dr. Yegiyants to substantially improve upon prior breast surgeries and help women feel more comfortable with the appearance of their breasts.
Read on to learn more about implant revision surgery in Santa Barbara, CA, or contact us online today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Yegiyants.
What Can Breast Revision Surgery Do for Me?
If you are unhappy with a previous breast surgery, whether you had a prior breast augmentation or a mastectomy followed by reconstruction, there is almost always an option to undergo revision breast surgery. It takes a great deal of surgical expertise to consider the approaches that have been tried before and the reasons for the failed outcome or desired revision, and to creatively assess the available options. Dr. Yegiyants will take the time to understand your concerns and will determine a surgical plan to address them, whatever they may be.
After breast augmentation surgery, it is not uncommon for women to feel as though they would like different sized breasts. This usually occurs after several years have passed and the implants have settled into their position, and sometimes at the end of the lifespan of the original implants. Changes to the body as you age may cause you to prefer a slightly smaller or larger implant, and breast revision allows you to obtain the breast size that you want. Your surgeon may also reshape or reposition the pocket in which the implants are placed, allowing for different positioning on the chest. Additionally, replacement of implants may be accompanied with a breast lift procedure to address any sagging of the breasts.
Revision breast reconstruction can also help to enhance the shape of the breast(s). Occasionally, breast reconstruction surgeries are unsuccessful in creating the proper breast shape. This may result from a failed implant or flap reconstruction, and it may occur in one or both breasts. In these cases, Dr. Yegiyants can sculpt your reconstructed breast(s) into the desired shape during revision breast reconstruction. She can also address asymmetries in breast shapes.
Mastectomy or lumpectomy followed by breast reconstruction surgery can leave patients with extensive scarring in their chest area. Revision reconstruction surgery may be performed to reduce the scars left by the original procedures. In many cases, Dr. Yegiyants is able to significantly enhance the appearance of the reconstructed breasts by addressing prior surgical scars.
It is normal for the body to create a capsule of scar tissue around breast implants during the healing process, and these capsules will actually help to keep the implants in place. However, some women develop a “capsular contraction” around their breast implant(s). When this occurs, the scar tissue hardens more than normal and can even begin to contract around the implant. This capsular contraction can cause pain, hardness of the breast, and aesthetic imbalance when it occurs. Revision breast surgery allows for removal of the capsule and replacement of the implant.
What Will My Consultation Be Like?
In our boutique practice, you will meet with Dr. Yegiyants personally when you come in for your consultation. We encourage our patients who are considering revision breast surgery to bring in images that can help us to understand their goals. Dr. Yegiyants has advanced training in arts and aesthetics, and she will draw upon this background to study the natural shape of your chest, shoulders, and breasts. She will also take the time necessary to make sure she fully understands why you are seeking revision and what you want for yourself. Each consult is a personal and individualized experience – we strive to make sure we know your goals while providing the best possible care and service!
Schedule a Consultation
Ready to take the next steps towards booking a procedure? Schedule your consultation today to begin your aesthetic journey with Sara Yegiyants, MD, FACS.
What Can I Expect During Breast Revision Surgery Recovery and Beyond?
After implant revision surgery, you will have a compression bandage and special bra in place to protect and support your breasts and minimize post-surgical swelling. You will be able to go home on the same day as your revision breast surgery and should expect to rest for the first several days following surgery. You may be able to move around on the first couple of days, but you should not plan to do much. For at least the first day or two, you will need someone with you as you will have limited range of motion of your arms and chest. As it is not uncommon to feel sore for a few days following the procedure, Dr. Yegiyants will prescribe pain medication to enhance your comfort. It is important that you follow all post-operative instructions to maximize your healing and promote the best possible outcome.
You may be able to drive and return to work after a week or so if you are no longer needing prescription pain medication. Your activity will still be limited and you should not plan on doing any exercise other than walking for several weeks while your body is healing. You will notice immediate results from your surgery, but it may take weeks or even months for your swelling to subside and your breasts to fully heal. Over time, the appearance of surgical scars will also fade.
FAQs About Breast Revision in Santa Barbara
Dr. Yegiyants recommends waiting at least six months to a year after your initial breast surgery for revision to give your body time to fully heal. As you recover, your implants will settle into place, and you will notice some significant changes in your breast appearance.
Women choose breast revision surgery for many different reasons. The procedure’s highly personalized nature makes it challenging to accurately estimate costs without an in-depth consultation with Dr. Yegiyants.
If you would like to change the appearance of your breasts, even after breast surgery, you may be a good candidate for a revision procedure. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Yegiyants to explore your options and find out if you’re well-qualified for this surgery.
While some reasons for breast revision surgery are inevitable, you can avoid many with careful planning at the time of your original procedure.
Your choice of surgeon is one of the most significant factors in ensuring a satisfying outcome after breast surgery. Dr. Yegiyants is one of the top breast surgeons in Santa Barbara. She is triple board-certified and has extensive experience performing breast augmentation, breast reduction, and breast lift procedures.
Women choose breast revision surgery for many reasons. Typically, these include:
- Capsular contracture
- Implant leak or rupture
- Implant rippling
- Asymmetry
- Breast droopiness
- Desire to change breast size or shape
- Swapping saline for silicone breast implants
If you would like to change the appearance of your breasts, contact Dr. Yegiyants to find out if revision surgery is right for you.