Breast Augmentation Revision near Brooklyn, NY

Breast implant revision surgery most commonly involves removing and/or replacing your breast implants. Breast augmentation revision can be a challenging surgery that requires an experienced plastic surgeon. Many Brooklyn residents choose Dr. Nina Naidu – a specialist in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast — when they want to change the size or type of their implants; to replace a leaking or ruptured implant; to remove their implants; or to correct complications from their primary breast surgery.

Regardless of your reason for seeking a revision, Dr. Naidu’s goal is to restore a youthful breast contour and appearance. Breast augmentation, revision and reconstruction comprise a large part of Dr. Naidu’s plastic surgery practice. She and her staff are dedicated to providing women in Brooklyn with the highest quality care possible during their breast augmentation revision.

Reasons for Breast Revision Surgery in Brooklyn

Although breast implants are very stable, patients may require re-operation on their breasts at some point. Many of Dr. Naidu’s Brooklyn patients had implants placed many years ago. They sometimes note increasing firmness of their breasts secondary to capsular contracture, deflation of an implant, or become unhappy with the size of their implants. In some cases, patients simply do not wish to have their implants any longer. Reasons for breast implant revision surgery include the following:

  • Dissatisfaction with the Primary Surgery

    The patient is unhappy with the size, shape or appearance of her breasts.

  • Asymmetry, Leaking or Rupture

    Patients frequently seek breast implant revision if a saline implant has deflated or an MRI indicates a shell break in a silicone implant. Breast revisions can also be performed if the breasts no longer appear symmetrical.

  • Dislike Implant Placement

    Sometimes patients have implants that were placed over the muscle initially or which may have shifted into an unnatural position. Implants may be positioned too high or low on the chest wall, or positioned too close or far apart. In some cases, the implant has moved beneath the natural fold beneath the breast, creating the “double bubble” deformity.

  • Changing Breast Size

    Breasts can lose volume due to pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or aging. Patients may opt to change implant size to correct this change in size.

  • Implant rippling

    Implant rippling can occur secondary to thinning of the breast tissue due to pregnancy or aging, or if a saline implant has partially deflated. Often rippling is resolved by choosing a different type of implant and positioning the implant beneath the pectoralis muscle on the chest.

  • Personal preference

    Some patients realize that they should have chosen a different size (or shape) of implant. Other patients are at a new stage of life and want an implant that looks or feels more natural.

  • Capsular Contracture

    Capsular contracture refers to firm and sometimes painful scar tissue which can form around the implant. If the scar tissue is soft, it is generally treated with ultrasound treatments or observed. Painful scar tissue typically needs to be surgically removed. New implants (if desired) will be carefully chosen and repositioned to hopefully prevent recurrence in the future.

  • Breast ptosis

    Breast implants alone cannot correct breasts which have fallen lower. Some patients will opt to have a breast lift as part of their breast implant revision surgery to lift their breasts and/or change the size of their areola.

  • Remove implants

    Some women no longer wish to have implants, and may elect to have them removed.

Am I a good candidate for breast augmentation revision surgery in Brooklyn?

The first part of your breast revision process is a comprehensive consultation in our NYC office. Dr. Naidu will get to know you and your aesthetic goals. She will want to know the details of your primary surgery and why you are seeking a breast revision. If you have any information about the initial surgery, such as the size and manufacturer of your implants, or the operative report from your initial surgery, please bring this with you to your appointment.

During your consultation, you will need to tell Dr. Naidu about your medical history and your use of medications, nicotine and/or alcohol. She will look at your existing implants and the quality of your skin. She will measure the base width of your breasts and determine the amount of existing breast tissue. These measurements will determine how your surgery will be performed.

If you plan to be pregnant or breastfeeding in the future, Dr. Naidu will explain the impact that motherhood will have on your breasts, so that you can make an informed decision about having a breast revision.

Pre-operative photographs are taken at this visit. These photographs are an important part of your surgical planning and are considered part of your medical record. They will never be shown to other patients without your written permission.

Dr. Naidu will explain your options for your breast revision and whether you are a good candidate. Your candidacy for breast revision depends on your anatomy and goals, as well as the decisions made during your primary surgery. Dr. Naidu will fully answer your questions and address your concerns. Dr. Naidu will never pressure you to have surgery.

Preparing for breast revision surgery in Brooklyn

If you decide to proceed with breast implant revision surgery, you will have a second consultation with Dr. Naidu in our NYC office. At this appointment, Dr. Naidu will recommend the best size and style of implants for your revision. Implant sizing in conjunction with sizers will be done to select a size and shape with which you are comfortable. She will describe your surgery in greater detail, so that you know exactly what to expect. Paperwork for surgery will also be completed at this visit.

Depending on your medical history, Dr. Naidu may advise you to discontinue certain medications prior to surgery. If you are a smoker, you must not smoke for eight weeks before or after your breast revision. For your safety, Dr. Naidu will request the medical records from your primary surgery if they are available. Prior to surgery you will be required to obtain routine blood work and preoperative clearance from your primary medical doctor. Dr. Naidu may also order additional screening tests, including a mammogram.

Types of Breast Implants

Your options for new implants include saline implants, which are filled with sterile salt water; the Ideal® Implant, which is a saline implant with a series of nested shells; silicone gel-filled implants; and cohesive silicone gel implants, also known as “gummy bear” or “form stable” implants, which have an anatomic or tear-drop shape.

The specific implant size and shape will be determined based on your preference and your anatomy. In almost all cases, the implants are placed beneath the pectoralis muscle to provide better coverage, improve mammographic visualization, and decrease the risk of capsular contracture.

Breast Augmentation Revision Surgery in Brooklyn

Breast implant revision surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, either in the hospital or in an ambulatory surgery center. The surgery lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, and is performed under general anesthesia. General anesthesia is very safe and makes certain that you will be completely comfortable during your breast revision.

In most cases, the incision site from your primary surgery is used to reach your implant. Through this incision, the old implant is removed and the tissues are evaluated for scarring. Any firm scar tissue is removed.

The pocket for the implant may need to be changed. If you wish to have larger implants, the space will be surgically enlarged. If you desire smaller implants, the space will likely need to be reduced with sutures. In some cases, a new pocket will be created for the implant underneath the pectoralis muscle. This will provide improved coverage of the implant and decrease the risks of rippling and visibility.

If the prior implants were too close or too far apart, the scar tissue from the capsule will be manipulated to create a pocket that will place the implants in the appropriate position. If needed, an acellular dermal matrix product will be used to provide additional support.

The size, shape, style and materials of your new implants will have been determined at your first consultation. Dr. Naidu will carefully insert your new implants into the pockets beneath your pectoralis muscle. The incisions will be closed with several layers of sutures.

If your breasts are ptotic (have dropped lower on your chest), a breast lift may also be required. In this case, Dr. Naidu will make additional incisions around the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) and from the areola to the crease under the breast. Dr. Naidu can also reduce the size of the areola without performing a breast lift.

Finally, some patients may elect to have their implants removed without replacement. In this case, Dr. Naidu will remove the implants and carefully close the incisions with sutures after removing any firm scar tissue

Breast Implant Revision Recovery in Brooklyn

Following your breast implant revision surgery, you will wake up in the recovery area with small dressings on the breasts. If you have had scar tissue removed, drains may be placed for 3-4 days. Once you are fully alert, you will be transported to another area where you will be given something to eat.

Once you have recovered, you will be allowed to go home the same day. You must have a responsible adult to escort you home and stay with you for the first night after your surgery.

Dr. Naidu will give you specific instructions to follow after your surgery. She will give you a prescription for pain, as well as instructions about how to take care of your incisions. Many of Dr. Naidu’s patients are very independent women who are reluctant to ask for help. However, some degree of post-surgical assistance will be required. We strongly recommend that you create a plan to take care of yourself and your family, so that you can focus on your recovery.

The day of or the morning after surgery, you may shower, leaving the tapes on your skin intact. Most patients do not complain of severe pain following this surgery, but note that their breasts feel sore for several days. Swelling can be reduced by applying ice packs to your breasts. Pain medication is prescribed for any discomfort.

You will return to our NYC office between three and five days after your surgery. Drains will be removed at this time if these were placed during surgery. Most sutures will dissolve on their own. Walking is permitted the day after breast implant revision surgery, but strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be limited for two weeks.

Swelling will be present for three to four weeks after surgery and may persist for up to three months. Your scars will continue to fade and soften for up to one year following surgery. Dr. Naidu will provide you with a silicone scar cream to use on the incisions to assist with scar reduction.

Complications of Breast Augmentation Revision Surgery in Brooklyn

During your consultation, Dr. Naidu will explain the risks of a breast revision so that you can make an informed decision about this surgery. As with other surgeries, the risks of breast revision include bleeding, infection and scarring. Specific risks of breast revision are the same as with your primary surgery. These include capsular contracture (scar tissue around the implant), rippling of the implants, and implant rupture.

Complications from breast augmentation can be reduced by providing a thorough medical history and carefully following your pre-operative and post-operative instructions.

Cost of Breast Revision Surgery in Brooklyn

Please call our NYC office at 212-452-1230 and we will be happy to provide information about the cost of breast revision surgery. You will be provided with the exact cost of your procedure following your consultation with Dr. Naidu. While insurance does not generally cover the cost of breast revision surgery, in some cases removal of the implant may be covered.

Choosing Dr. Naidu for Breast Augmentation in Brooklyn

Aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast comprise a large part of Dr. Naidu’s plastic surgical practice. She has a special interest in breast augmentation, breast augmentation revision, and reconstruction of the tuberous breast. Since 2006, Dr. Naidu has served as a clinical investigator in the Breast Implant Follow-Up Studies (BIFS) trials. In addition to breast augmentation with fat transfer, Dr. Naidu offers her patients the full range of breast implants.

Dr. Naidu completed her undergraduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University and obtained her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. After completing her general surgery and plastic surgery training at New York Presbyterian – Weill Cornell Medical Center, she performed an additional year of fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Naidu is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Schedule a Breast Revision Consultation

Our office is located at 1021 Park Avenue in NYC, easily accessible from Brooklyn by car, cab or public transportation. If you’d like to learn more about a breast augmentation revision – and whether it is right for you – please call our office at 212-452-1230 to schedule an appointment.

 

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