Breast Implant Revision

Board certified plastic surgeon, David P. Rapaport, MD offers breast implant revision surgery at his Manhattan, New York plastic surgery facility. Breast implant revision plastic surgery offers a solution for women who are looking to re-do their breast augmentation.

Patients from NYC and around the world seek his expertise in breast implant revision plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon frequently sees patients who are dissatisfied with their augmentation or have developed one or more complications from a breast augmentation (breast implant) surgery performed by another plastic surgeon.

When considering breast implant revision, the first step is to diagnose the problem, which involves determining the cause of the deformity. Dr. Rapaport will make these determinations during a consultation and physical examination.

An implant which is too high because it was placed that way at the original surgery can usually be revised with a fairly simple operation. However, if the implant is too high as a result of capsular contracture, then the revision surgery will not be successful over time unless it addresses the contracture and takes steps to prevent the contracture from recurring.

Similarly, if an implant has migrated downward on the chest because the patient’s tissues did not provide it with enough support over time, then the revision surgery must provide additional support so the problem will not recur.

Sometimes, internal sutures are adequate; alternatively, a supporting layer must be introduced surgically. There are currently a variety of materials available for providing support to a breast implant. These include Alloderm, which is derived from human skin, and Galaflex, which is a synthetic woven material which is replaced by natural connective tissue over time.

An undesirable breast implant "feel" may also be a reason for wanting breast implant revision surgery. Saline implants create sharper ripples because the salt water filling them is not as viscous as gel. While a saline implant may provide an excellent augmentation in a woman with adequate breast tissue and body fat, if there is not enough tissue covering the implant, ripples may be felt, and a revision may be desired.

Gummy bear implants have become more popular in recent years, partly because they claim to have a much lower incidence of capsular contracture. However, there is a trade off involved. All gummy bear implants feel much firmer than natural breasts, and also do not move as a natural breast would when the woman moves. Furthermore, if the implant is not round but shaped, there is the added risk of implant rotation within the body, which can create a visible deformity.

To prevent the need for future revision surgery patients should understand the properties of different types of implants. Our practice also offers the Ideal Implant, a choice that offers advantages to patients looking for either alternative to saline or silicone implants. Learn more about the Ideal Implant.

Taking the first step

If you are interested in learning more about breast implant revision in Manhattan, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Rapaport’s office today to set up your private consultation. This is the perfect time to share your prior jourey with the doctor so that he may successfully provide you with an improved implant experience.

The doctor will examine you physically, record your medical history, and delve into your previous surgery to discover the cause of your dissatisfaction with your current implants. This information will allow Dr. Rapaport to fashion your customized treatment plan that you can then review before committing to moving forward.

Dr. Rapaport and his staff can share with you many before and after photographs of former revision clients, as well as firsthand patient testimonials that reflect the revision process. If you are considering a change in implant size, texture or type, the doctor can show you examples of your new implants, and have you insert them beneath your blouse to get a sense of how they will look and feel.