More than 350,000 American adults seek cosmetic breast surgery each year. And while many are happy with the results, not all breast enhancement, reduction, or reparative procedures result in full satisfaction. What to do if you’re unhappy with your breast job? Are there any alternatives? And which conditions may merit a trip to a revision surgeon?

Here’s what you can do about your breast job if you’re unhappy with how things turned out.

More Patients Are Choosing Breast Revision Surgery

Once upon a time, many unhappy breast job patients simply lived with the result. 

Today, that doesn’t have to be the case. With more revision specialists entering the scene and options like payment plans, more patients are looking to breast revision surgery.

What Is Breast Revision Surgery?

Breast revision surgery, also called corrective breast surgery or secondary breast surgery, cosmetically improves breasts after either an unsatisfactory surgery or a breast defect.

There are many reasons an individual may seek breast revision surgery. Let’s talk about those below.

Top Reasons Patients Seek Breast Breast Revision Surgery

Ruptured Implant

Breast augmentation with implants is a highly popular procedure. However, it runs a small risk of the implant rupturing. This can be the case with either saline or silicone implants. The rupture can happen as a tear, a hole, or if a failed valve causes the implant to leak.

The risk of rupture increases with the age of the implant. If it happens, it is highly likely you will need a breast implant removal and revision.

Capsular Contracture

While relatively rare (current data puts the risk at 3.6%), capsular contracture is a serious issue. 

When implants are placed in the body, a tissue “shell” naturally forms around them. Occasionally, this tissue may begin to tighten. The result is a hard look and feel to the breasts, and in more severe cases, pain, and discomfort.

Implant Positioning Issues

When you receive your implants, your surgeon will create a “pocket” either under the skin and subcutaneous fat, or directly over the muscle. The implant is then inserted into this pocket.

Sometimes, pockets fail. When this happens, the breast implants may shift out of position and look or feel unnatural and uncomfortable.

Size Issues

Before having saline or silicone breast implants, it’s important to sit down with your plastic surgeon to determine a size that’s just right for you. But even with serious consideration of lifestyle and goals, implants are sometimes too large or small for the patient’s comfort.

In this case, the breast implants can be removed and replaced with a different size. Or if the patient decides she no longer wants to have implants at all, she may decide to have the surgeon leave them out. 

Breast implant removal without a replacement implant may or may not mean a breast lift afterward to remove excess tissue that was enlarged by the implants.

Breast Deformities

Breast deformities may be evident soon after the surgery or may develop over time. In some patients, the breast tissue may weaken. This will make the implants look gradually more unnatural and, in some cases, lumpy or “rippled.” 

In other cases, implants can be seen through the skin. This is particularly a risk with women who have a very thin body type, but can happen to any patient.

How to Be a Success Story

Just because you don’t like the results of your breast augmentation, or have experienced issues months or years later, that doesn’t mean you have to live with what you have now. Breast surgery correction can be an ideal choice, provided you follow a few simple tips.

Try the following so you can have a great result:

  • Choose a breast surgeon who is experienced with breast revision. Ask them how many revisions they have done, and how long they have been in practice.
  • Make sure your surgeon is willing to take the time to listen. A great plastic surgeon will sit down with you for a detailed consultation and ask about your health history, current state of health, any medications you’re taking, what went wrong, and what you expect from your revision surgery.
  • Choose a surgeon who has plenty of great reviews. Personal experience is your best peek into what your own experience might be like.
  • Don’t smoke or take any medications that aren’t prescribed by your doctor – and tell your plastic surgeon what you’re currently taking. The more your surgeon knows about your current health regimen, the more prepared you’ll both be for the surgery and your recovery.
  • Get your health up to snuff. Nobody’s health is perfect, but the closer you get to a good state of health, the easier your recovery can be. In the weeks leading up to and after your surgery, try to eat balanced, nutritious meals, drink plenty of water, get adequate sleep, and exercise per your doctor’s instructions. (Exercise will be restricted for up to six weeks after your surgery.)
  • Be realistic. Your plastic surgeon should be able to tell you what results you can expect and any complications to watch out for after your surgery.

You don’t have to live with breasts that make you uncomfortable or self-conscious. Book an appointment with a reputable plastic surgeon to find out what your options are if you’re unhappy with your breast job. You’ll be closer than ever to the body of your dreams.