For women who have undergone a previous breast procedure that yielded an unsatisfactory outcome, breast revision surgery can often be an excellent solution. When performed by an experienced Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, this secondary procedure can help patients achieve the results they originally sought, or even revise the appearance of their breasts to better align with their current aesthetic goals.

In my experience, most individuals seek breast revision to attain better symmetry or to correct differences that have occurred over time, with age and gravity affecting the breasts differently at times. Sometimes, women who had breast implants placed at an earlier time in their life no longer wish to have them, or they may have found evolution of their breast size, shape, or volume with body changes related to pregnancy or menopause. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to breast surgery, and a woman’s style and body may change over time, along with her wishes.

In addition to these concerns/desires, other reasons women seek breast revision include issues such as capsular contracture, implant rupture or leakage, symmastia (uni-boob), and/or “bottoming out” of implants. These complications tend to be rarer than the aesthetic concerns mentioned above—particularly when the initial breast procedure was performed safely and correctly—though they do occur in some cases. Fortunately, they can often be resolved quite nicely with breast revision surgery—the key is choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who has considerable experience in this specialized form of breast surgery.

If you are dissatisfied with the results of a previous breast procedure, or if your aesthetic goals and desires have changed since your initial procedure, I encourage you to seek the expertise of a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who offers breast revision surgery. Every woman deserves to be proud of her body, and an unsatisfactory breast surgery outcome should not keep you from making this a reality.

– Karen Horton, MD