Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States. The procedure uses implants to create a fuller and more youthful-looking breast. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 1-2 hours to complete.
It involves making an incision around your areolae, creating pockets in your chest wall, inserting the implants and closing the incisions. There are two types of breast implants: saline and silicone gel. Saline is filled with sterile salt water; silicone gel is filled with a substance that closely mimics human tissue. Both types of implants are safe and effective
Read on to learn more on Best Plastic Surgeons For Breast Augmentation In Los Angeles, What Are Common Breast Implant Problems and Candidates for Breast Augmentation Revision Surgery
Best Plastic Surgeons For Breast Augmentation In Los Angeles
When you’re considering plastic surgery, it’s essential to choose the right surgeon. You’ll live with the results of your plastic surgery for years, so it’s worth taking the time to make this critical choice carefully. For beautiful, natural-looking results, you need to find a plastic surgeon with expertise, experience, artistry, and a caring approach to working with patients.
Here are some tips for finding the best surgeon for your cosmetic needs.
Do Your Research
Start by learning about the procedure you’re considering. Do online research to understand the benefits, as well as its limits and risks. You’ll find medical websites that describe different cosmetic surgeries in detail, and other sites and social media forums where patients share their experiences. Both can be helpful, but when reading about individual experiences, be alert to possible misinformation or distorted views, especially when posted by anonymous sources.
Use personal connections, too. Do you have friends or family members who have had plastic surgery? What can they tell you from their experiences? Do you know people in the medical field? Can they suggest plastic surgeons in the area who have excellent reputations?
Make a List of Your Questions
The more you learn, the more questions you are likely to have. Keep a list of these as they come into your head, so you can ask them when you have a consultation with the surgeon you are considering.
Only Consider Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons
One crucial indicator of a plastic surgeon’s expertise is certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. To earn ABPS certification, doctors must complete at least six years of surgical training after medical school and demonstrate specific expertise in plastic surgery. Doctors must then take a renewal exam every 10 years. You’ll probably see “board-certified” in doctors’ bios on their websites, but it’s crucial to understand which board has certified them. There’s an easy-to-use tool on the ABPS website you can use to verify a doctor’s certification.
Find a Surgeon With Experience in the Procedure You Are Considering
Extensive experience in the procedure you are considering should also be a requirement. Look for a surgeon who performs the technique frequently. Each type of cosmetic surgery requires specific skills. A facelift is very different from breast augmentation or a tummy tuck. You’ll get a sense of a surgeon’s areas of special expertise by a careful review of their. But you should also ask the surgeon directly how many times they have performed the procedure you are considering.
Look for Exceptional Results
Most plastic surgeons post a gallery of before-and-after pictures on their websites. Study these carefully, paying special attention to patients with faces or bodies like yours. Are the results attractive and natural-looking? Is the surgeon’s aesthetic approach to the procedure in line with yours? As you look at these before-and-after pictures, make sure the angle and lighting are the same in each view for an honest comparison. Top-notch surgeons take great care to present fair representations of their work. Other doctors sometimes skew the images by using more flattering lighting or makeup in the “after” photos.
Schedule a Consultation
Once you’ve narrowed your search, schedule a consultation with the plastic surgeon at the top of your list. This face-to-face meeting is your chance to ask questions about the procedure you’re considering and to find out more about the doctor. Ask about the doctor’s experience performing the surgery. Ask, too, to see more before-and-after pictures that will help give you realistic expectations for your results.
Approach the consultation as a two-way evaluation. The doctor is assessing you as a good candidate for the surgery — and you want an honest and grounded assessment. At the same time, you are weighing the doctor’s qualifications and bedside manner. Do you get the sense that the doctor cares about you and understands your unique cosmetic goals? Do they inspire your trust? Does this feel like a good fit? Those are subjective assessments, but in the end, they are the ones that matter.
What Are Common Breast Implant Problems
Breast implant surgery continues to be one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the UK to enhance breast volume. Many women tell us how they have developed a significant boost in self-confidence and emotional well-being from having larger breasts that help them to feel more feminine. Having said that, it is important to remember that breast implant surgery carries certain risks with up to one in five women needing to have either breast implant removal or breast implant replacement within ten years of their first procedure. Women can ensure they can enjoy the results of breast augmentation in the long term by choosing an expert breast surgeon who carries out all types of breast surgery regularly. It is important to bear in mind that implants may undergo changes over time which means that certain breast implant problems will require corrective breast surgery and this should not be viewed as a failure of the original operation.
Common types of breast implant problems may need revision breast surgery and it is therefore important that women are able to recognise the symptoms of potential problems with their breast implants. Undiagnosed breast implant problems that go undetected for many years may result in medical harm. Breast implants can potentially last a very long time in excess of twenty years provided you have never had any problems with them. Most women however can expect an average breast implant lifespan of between ten and twenty years with modern fifth-generation implants. During this period, you may wish to explore potential options for either breast implant removal or replacing old breast implants with brand-new ones, especially if you would like to go larger or smaller. Many women who already have breast implants often wonder when they should consider having their breast implants replaced.
What are the potential breast implant problems that women may face?
Having your breast implant procedure performed by an experienced plastic surgeon at Centre for Surgery means you are receiving the very best possible medical care for your breast surgery. This helps to minimise the risk of complications occurring. Women who choose to have the surgery carried out abroad, especially in Turkey, have a much higher risk of developing serious breast implant problems, including implant-related infection, due to a lack of sterile precautions. Patients who choose their surgeon and clinic based on cheaper prices than what is found in the UK open themselves up to massive potential risks, many of which may not be correctable with revision breast surgery. Breast implant problems can also present in other ways and women often choose to have breast implant removal or replacement for reasons other than acute medical complications occurring soon after their surgery.
- Implant-related complications – breast implants can develop capsular contracture or undergo implant rupture which most commonly needs corrective breast surgery.
- Replacing old breast implants – breast implants may cause no issues even after 15 to 20 years although we would recommend having old breast implants replaced with new implants or have them removed if you no longer wish to have breast implants to prevent medical complications.
- Removal of PIP implants – the PIP breast implant scandal left many thousands of women with substandard breast implants containing industrial-grade silicone. These types of implants have a high risk of complications, including implant rupture, compared with FDA-approved breast implants. Many women choose to have breast implant replacement or removal to ensure they do not suffer complications of PIP implants.
- Cosmetic appearance – many women may feel they no longer like how their breasts look, which often leads to consideration of revision breast surgery to remove old breast implants and replace them if desired. Women may be unhappy with the outcome of the first breast procedure or may no longer like how their breasts look now that implants have been inserted.
How to recognise common breast implant problems?
It is equally important for women to have knowledge of both the different types of breast implant problems that can occur as well as being able to recognise the features of a potential breast implant problem. If you are confident in being able to recognise clinical features of a developing problem with your breast implants, then you will be better placed to have an earlier consultation with a breast specialist to treat the problem. In our experience, early recognition of breast implant complications leads to better treatment of implant issues. Many types of breast implant problems can be accurately detected with high-resolution ultrasound scanning performed at Centre for Surgery.
- Capsular contracture – capsular contracture refers to the formation of thickened scar tissue affecting one or both breast implants. This breast implant problem develops due to the body’s normal reaction to a foreign object. The formation of a scar capsule around the implant is designed to protect the body against any harmful components of the implant. Recognised clinical features of capsular contracture include pain in one or both breasts, a feeling of tightness, localised areas of tenderness or an abnormal breast shape due to the capsule causing deformation of the underlying implant.
- Silicone implant rupture – silicone implants are composed of a cohesive gel-like material which has a much thicker consistency compared with saline implants. If an implant ruptures, any internal material inside the implant remains inside and does not leak out. This means that many patients may not know that they have an implant rupture as silicone implant ruptures are often silent ruptures without any symptoms. Symptoms that may occur include localised tenderness, a swollen appearance, pain in the breast, a reduction in the size of the breast, and a burning sensation or numbness.
- Saline implant rupture – saline implants contain a sterile salt water solution encapsulated in an outer silicone shell. When saline implants rupture, the saline solution is safely reabsorbed by the body with no risk of medical complications. Possible signs of saline ruptures include a significant change in the shape of the affected breast with a reduction in size. Saline breast implants are not commonly used in the UK and have been superseded by silicone implants. Silicone implants have a more natural feel, consistency and texture.
Why do women have old breast implants replaced?
One of the most common reasons to have cosmetic breast surgery is to eliminate saggy breasts, which commonly develop as a result of the ageing process. Breast lift surgery is a highly effective treatment for improving the perkiness of the breasts which makes breasts sit higher up on the chest wall to give them a more youthful appearance. No type of cosmetic surgery, including a breast lift can stop or reverse the natural ageing process. Many women find they are no longer happy with the appearance of their breasts and would like to have the old breast implants replaced with new ones or removed.
The elasticity of the breasts naturally decreases as women get older and the presence of old breast implants can accentuate breast sagging. A similar effect occurs in women who have large and heavy breasts resulting in the development of breast sagging. Breast asymmetry may develop gradually over time, and the best treatment for both conditions is a breast implant replacement combined with breast uplift.
When is revision breast surgery needed to correct breast implant problems?
Breast implant replacement surgery is the most appropriate treatment for women with breast implant problems and women who want to change the size of their implants. The procedure involves the removal of old breast implants before being replaced with new implants. Implant exchange surgery takes approximately 1 to 2 hours to carry out and is performed under a general anaesthetic as a day case procedure. Surgery for capsular contracture may take longer especially if an en-bloc removal of both implant and capsule in one piece is performed. The surgeon will use your old incision to remove and replace the implants so there will be no additional scarring following the procedure.
Breast Implant Revision
Some women who undergo breast enlargement surgery are dissatisfied with the final appearance of their breasts or can experience unwanted complications such as saline implant deflation or capsular contracture. Breast augmentation revision surgery is offered at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD. in Minnesota to yield a more natural and soft breast appearance. What is involved in each surgery depends on the individual treatment needed, but our final goal is always the same — to restore the positive self-image of our patients.
Candidates for Breast Augmentation Revision Surgery
Women interested in corrective breast surgery have had their breasts augmented surgically but are dissatisfied with their results or have experienced complications. They may want their implants to be replaced or removed entirely. Our American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Richard H. Tholen and Dr. Douglas L. Gervais have extensive experience in correcting breast augmentation problems, often in patients who received their surgery elsewhere and do not wish to return to their initial surgeon. Since no surgeon is “perfect” and cannot truthfully boast of “no complications,” this can occur in a few of our own patients as well. Our experience in improving the results of patients with problems after breast implants has decreased the incidence of these problems in our own patients. The reasons for breast augmentation revision may include any of the following:
- Breast asymmetry, Poland’s Syndrome, or Tuberous Breasts
- Dissatisfaction with the size, shape, or feel of breasts
- Results that do not look natural, or are out of proportion
- Switch from saline to silicone implants (or from silicone to saline implants)
- Capsular Contracture (tight or painful scar around implants, often causing distortion)
- Implant rupture, deflation, or leakage (saline)
- Infection
- Malposition or shifting of implants (double bubble; too-low or too-high crease)
- Symmastia (loss of cleavage), often termed “uni-boob” or “breadloafing”
- Wrinkling of the implants (most commonly saline)
- Unsatisfactory external scars
- Persistent ptosis (sagging or droop) requiring breast lift
Not every implant problem is able to be completely corrected, but virtually every one can be improved, sometimes substantially. With over 55 combined years of experience with literally thousands of saline and silicone breast augmentation patients, our American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeons can assess your concerns, formulate a precise surgical plan, and carefully operate with specific goals in mind. More than one re-operation may be necessary in challenging cases.
Problems after breast augmentation can occur in any patient, and with any plastic surgeon. The best breast augmentation surgeons are those who have not only years of experience in improving poor outcomes from other doctors, but also have learned to incorporate that experience to minimize the potential for those same problems in our own patients.
Procedure
Prior to consideration of any surgery, our American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeons with over 45 combined years of breast augmentation experience will carefully examine you, identify your concerns and anatomic or implant issues, and review options and make recommendations. These recommendations are based on extensive experience with breast surgery of all kinds, and may require removal or replacement of implants. In many cases, breast revision surgery can be done through already-existing scars. Unsightly or misplaced scars may be revised or removed entirely.
A pre-operative history and physical examination by your family doctor, internist, or gynecologist is necessary to ensure the safest possible conditions for anesthesia and surgery. This should be completed within two weeks prior to your breast implant revision surgery. You should also avoid aspirin or ibuprofen-containing products, as well as any tobacco or nicotine products, for a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery. You will need someone to bring you home after discharge who will also stay with you the entire night after your operation, and who can bring you back to the office for recheck the following day when recommended.
In cases where implants require removal, the internal scar tissue surrounding the old implants (capsule) may be removed along with the breast implants. Women who have their breast implants removed or implant size decreased may need to consider breast lift surgery to create a shapelier look and counteract any deflation or sagging that may result. These procedures can, in virtually all cases, be safely performed in Minneapolis Plastic Surgery’s nationally-accredited (AAAASF) on-site breast surgery center.
While many patients hope that touch-up or revisionary surgery will be less serious or complicated than the original surgery, with more rapid and less uncomfortable recovery, secondary surgery actually often presents significantly more challenging problems and anatomic considerations to be understood and skillfully dealt with. This is not “quick and easy” surgery; rather, it often requires more adroit technique, operative time, and breast surgery experience to satisfactorily improve the issues that arise from poor outcomes obtained elsewhere.
Recovery and Results
For any woman having breast revision surgery, the recovery period and activity limitations will be similar (not less) to the recovery after her first breast surgery, even when post-operative discomfort is less. Patients should refrain from exercise and heavy lifting for several weeks. Detailed instructions are given to all patients after surgery to guide them through the recovery process. Some patients may require more than one operation, and not every problem has an easy solution, but the plastic surgeons at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD. have over 55 years of combined experience with many patients who have had less than ideal outcomes elsewhere. No surgeon (anywhere) should offer guarantees, nor should patients ever feel their payment is for a specified outcome or result. You should seek careful examination and measurements, thoughtful and experienced analysis, detailed recommendation, and skillful surgical technique, which is what you receive at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD. Though this does not guarantee a desired result, this approach offers the highest likelihood of success and the outcome we strive for.
Cost of Breast Implant Revision Surgery
Breast implant revision can be as simple as local anesthesia implant exchange, for which total cost may be even less than initial breast augmentation (around $7500—saline or $8500—silicone). If your original surgery was performed by our plastic surgeons, surgeon’s fees for revisionary surgery are often reduced or waived; however, implant, operating room (and anesthesia fees, if requested or necessary) are each patient’s responsibility.
Revision of breast lift plus implants, treatment of tuberous breasts, or surgery for capsular contracture are examples of revisionary operations that are often much more complex than the initial surgery, and costs are correspondingly higher. Each of the many conditions and reasons for revision discussed above are as individual as each patient’s unique situation; personal examination is necessary in each case to identify the problem(s) and determine the appropriate surgical plan for treatment, as well as the amount of operating room time needed to complete the surgery. Exact costs are available at the time of complimentary consultation with our American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeons. The most complex revisions can cost $9000-$15,000 or more, depending on the severity of the problem.