Revisionary Breast Procedures
Conveniently located to serve St. Louis
On occasion, even careful planning and excellent surgical technique can produce disappointing surgical results or unmet expectations following breast enhancement surgery procedures such as breast reduction or breast augmentation. Revision surgery may help women who are disappointed with their results immediately after breast surgery as well as those who have seen unwelcome changes in their outcome over time.
Your Consultation
Before patients can get a revisionary breast procedure, they will first need to schedule a consultation. Dr. Rottler or Dr. Hulsey will examine the patient’s breasts and ask them about the issues they are experiencing. They will also look over the patient’s medical history.
Dr. Rottler or Dr. Hulsey will discuss the details of the revision procedure with the patient, including cost, preparation, and recovery. Patients will be able to ask questions and have any concerns addressed.
Who Is in Need of Revisionary Breast Procedures?
Patients experiencing cosmetic and/or health issues following a breast procedure are ideal candidates for a revisionary breast procedure. Patients must be in overall good health to undergo this surgery. Smokers must quit several weeks before this procedure and must avoid smoking during recovery.
The following are common complications that may result from a breast augmentation:
Bottoming Out
Lengthened distance between the nipple and bottom of the breast due to skin stretching, resulting in the implant dropping lower than desired.
Fold Malposition
The inframammary fold or lateral fold has moved, allowing implants to move inferiorly or laterally.
Symmastia
Medial malposition presenting with implants too close together or even touching.
Wrinkling and Rippling
Appearance of implant wrinkles, ripples, or irregular contours on the skin surface.
The quality of the skin that envelops the breast tissue significantly influences the shape of the breasts. Even though breast skin contains special elastic fibers, there is natural and hereditary variation in the amount of elasticity and thickness of each person’s breast skin, which affects the overall appearance of the breasts. Thin breast tissue may not be adequate to mask wrinkling or rippling of a breast implant.
A rippled appearance also may be apparent when the pocket created to contain the breast implant is larger than the size of the implant. If the implant pocket is too large, a breast implant will not be able to maintain a stable position and volume can shift too much to the bottom of the implant. The breast implant should be able to maintain a stable position within the implant pocket to provide a natural and smooth appearance.
Correcting a Wrinkled or Rippled Appearance
During breast revision surgery, Dr. Rottler or Dr. Hulsey may consider reducing the size of the implant pocket and using Strattice Reconstructive Tissue Matrix (TM) to provide additional support to maintain the breast implant in the proper position. Similar to an external bra, Strattice™ TM is placed at the bottom of the breast to be used as an “internal bra,” helping to maintain the breast implant in a position that will give the breasts increased fullness at the top. This may result in reduced wrinkling and rippling of the breast implants.
Breast Revision Aftercare
Following revisionary breast surgery, patients will need to rest and recover. Strenuous activities should be avoided during recovery, and some bruising and swelling is expected.
Patients can return to work after one to two weeks, as long as there are no demanding physical activities involved. The swelling and bruising should disappear completely after three weeks.
Find Out More
Contact our office to learn more about revisionary breast procedures in St. Louis. Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey will be happy to help you get the breast surgery results you deserve.
