A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Resource
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Minimize the Need for Breast Implant Revision Surgery
A lot of women who consider enhancing their breast size with implants are surprised to find out that revision surgery is quite common among implant patients. Out of the nearly 291,000 breast augmentation procedures performed in 2005, about one in four—or 73,000—patients will undergo a second surgery within five years, reports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Sometimes a re-operation is necessary to correct complications such as a rupture, leakage, or capsular contraction. However, many revision surgeries are performed because the patient is not fully satisfied with the results of the implants.
Some plastic surgeons that have achieved a low rate of breast augmentation revision surgery follow a three-step process to ensure their patients reach their desired aesthetic goals, minimizing the need for a re-operation.
Step One – It's All in the Details
During the first consultation, a plastic surgeon should obtain a vast series of detailed measurements of the patient's breast and chest area, which could help define the sizes and types of implants that would best fit the patient's physique. Any implant size or type that wouldn't offer great results would be eliminated as an option.
Step Two – Models Not Allowed
One of the best ways a breast augmentation patient can achieve optimal results is by communicating their goals to the surgeon. Oftentimes, however, a patient will bring in pictures of magazine models during the consultation and ask for a replica of the model's breasts. Models are not good examples and their boob shape and size may not be a good fit for that particular patient's physique. A good plastic surgeon should ask patients to review before-and-after photographs of real breast augmentations to select the breasts that match closely to the results they seek. Then the doctor should discuss the photos and patients' goals at length in order to choose the best possible implants.
Step Three – Test Before Proceeding
During the actual procedure, it's beneficial for a plastic surgeon to test out a few implants in order to confirm the best shape and size that would fit the patient's frame and help her achieve her aesthetic goals. Once that has been determined, the test implant should be substituted for an identical permanent implant. “Using this process, we leave the operating room confident that we have chosen the best possible implant for the patient's goals and body type,” says Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Schwartz.
The Bottom Line
All breast implant patients must realize that despite the type of implant used, most patients will need to undergo one or more revision surgeries throughout the course of their lives as a result of age, pregnancy, and other factors.
Considering breast augmentation? Please click here to set up a consultation with a qualified and experienced board certified plastic surgeon near you.
Page Last Modified: 2009-11-7 22:00:36 UTC
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