Corrective Breast Revision Surgery Options & Costs

Corrective Breast Revision – What are the options?

The shape, size, and feel of a woman’s breasts can have a significant impact on her physical comfort. But it is about so much more than just the physical side of things: when women are deeply unhappy with their breasts it can cause a whole host of other problems. This may be a lack of self-confidence, anxiety around being intimate, or other mental health issues that develop. This is perhaps why breast surgery is now the most common form of cosmetic surgery in the UK.

Like all forms of cosmetic surgery, breast surgery comes with its own risks. There are cases where women are disappointed with the outcome and this is usually down to seeking the lowest price rather than the best surgeon. When this is the case, corrective breast revision is the option available to correct this. It is not always down to mistakes made during surgery. There are occasions when it is purely down to the passage of time: breast implants rarely last a lifetime and, with age, natural sagging will still occur. In this article, we are going to take a look at which breast revision surgery is and when it is a feasible option.

What is breast revision surgery?

Breast revision surgery is a medical procedure that aims to correct issues or mistakes following breast augmentation surgery. There are several reasons why a woman may opt for breast revision surgery.

Asymmetry: A woman may still have uneven (asymmetrical) breasts even after surgery.
Excessive scarring: The presence of excessive scarring after breast surgery could be down to a number of factors, from the patient’s genes and ability to heal after surgery to the skill of the surgeon and the surgical technique used.
Ageing: Although breast augmentation and other aesthetic surgeries can stop the clock on the ageing process, it cannot halt the process completely. Sagging skin is a natural part of the ageing and eventually this will affect breast augmentation results.
General dissatisfaction with the result: Sometimes the original surgery may have simply failed to live up to the patient’s expectations. For example, it may be that the breasts have not had a sufficient increase in size. Breast augmentation revision is an opportunity for a woman to try and achieve a look that she is satisfied with.

Sometimes these issues aren’t obvious immediately after breast augmentation. It takes a while for post-operative swelling to subside and the breasts to settle into their new shape. Only then may any issues become apparent.

What is breast reduction revision?

As well as surgery that seeks to enlarge the breasts, many women look for their breasts to be reduced in size. This could be because of discomfort, back pain and other medical or physiological reasons, or being self-conscious. Following the reduction, there may be issues that need to be revisited.

It could be that:

The breasts are now too small
The breasts were not reduced in size enough
The breasts are now asymmetrical
There is excessive scarring

How long do breast reduction scars take to fade?

Breast revision scars will start to fade at six months and should be barely visible by 12 months.

When scars start to heal, they appear red and raised but will change to pink and then white as the healing process continues. Once the scar has healed, it will no longer be raised but instead sit flat to the skin.

It is important that you always follow the aftercare advice issued by your surgeon to help your recovery and there are treatment and/or steps you can take yourself to encourage scar healing.

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When is breast surgery correction medically necessary?

Some women undergo boob job revision surgery because they are unhappy with the results of previous surgery. But there are situations where breast revision surgery is medically necessary.

Revision surgery may be necessary if you experience:

Ongoing breast pain
Back pain
Thick scarring that won’t fade

There are also complications caused by implants that can be resolved through corrective breast revision.

These include:

An implant rupturing
A rippling effect on the skin where the implant is under thin skin/tissue
An implant rotating/moving out of place
Asymmetry
Pain in the breast and/or nipple
The breast tissue loses its substance
The skin on the breasts becomes thinner
Scars tighten and become uncomfortable

The decision to have breast surgery is never one that is taken lightly. An informed choice is made and, guided by an expert, a woman has a level of expectation as to what the end results will be. No one chooses surgical options unless they are the only way of achieving the desired results and no one follows this route expecting to need further surgery early on. There are times when the need for breast revision surgery is down to mistakes made by a less than competent surgeon. That is why we advise only seeking breast augmentation surgery in the UK by surgeons who are fully qualified and experienced. It is also the case that, at times, the need for breast revision surgery is unavoidable.

What are the types of breast revision surgery?

The type of breast revision surgery that will be suitable for you will depend upon the issues that you are experiencing and the result that you are hoping for. Our surgeons can offer guidance so that you can find the best solution.

Correct breast revision surgery can include:

Breast implant replacement: It may be that you have experienced complications with breast implants such as a rupture. It could also be the case that you are seeking to increase/reduce the size of your breasts, trying to have issues with symmetry corrected, or simply have reached the stage in the implants' life cycle where they need to be replaced. This is where breast implant replacement is likely to help.
Breast implant removal: It could be that you have experienced issues with breast implants or have been less than satisfied with the results. In this case, you may seek the removal of breast implants without there being any replacements.
Breast lift revision: Although breast surgery will enhance your breasts, your body can still not escape the ageing process. This means that breasts will still change in appearance as you age. Breast lift revision surgery is an effective way of addressing this.
Scar revision: Surgeons will always do their best to minimise scarring following any procedure. There are times when women may be left with scarring that is uncomfortable or, in their mind, unsightly. There is a range of options available to reduce/remove scarring.
Fat transfer: This involves fat being removed from other areas of your body through liposuction. The fat is then cleaned before being injected into the breasts. Fat transfer is used as a way to improve the contouring of the breasts and give an overall more pleasing appearance.

Words from our clients:

“I was treated with care and provided with thorough knowledge about the procedure I was undertaking. My surgeon was very methodical (a perfectionist) and I felt I received A class treatment."

Courtney O'Sullivan

"Outstanding experience from the first appointment to being discharged. Very professional, friendly and a fantastic outcome."

Gemma Stevenson

"There is nothing that I feel could be improved at Cadogan Clinic. I was treated and looked after very well the place was very clean. Perfect. Thank you."

Emma Grant

"The treatment was for my daughter and the aesthetic practitioner couldn't have been more helpful and informative all through the course of treatment, it was a great treatment with a brilliant outcome. The whole experience was very professional and any worries we went in with were soon taken away after the team greeted us and treated us."

Jessica Yates

"Reception staff very welcoming and efficient. Both nurses who I dealt with were fantastic, and the whole team (anaesthetist, surgeon etc) were friendly but professional, and really put my mind at ease. That I was able to stay later than I perhaps needed after my surgery to fit in with my husbands schedule was greatly appreciated."

Emma Davies

What can I do to encourage scar healing and avoid scar revision?

If you want to encourage natural scar healing, therefore avoiding the need for scar revision, then there are a number of things that you can do at home.

Follow all post-operative instructions

It is crucial that you follow your surgeon's precise post-operative care instructions, including wound care measures and using any prescribed ointments or lotions as directed. If you follow these instructions carefully, you are less likely to end up with a noticeable scar. Your Cadogan Clinic surgeon will discuss this with you following your procedure.

Gently massage the area

Gently massaging the incision area with a moderate, hypoallergenic moisturiser can help increase blood circulation, break down scar tissue, and improve scar appearance over time. Make sure you discuss this with your surgeon before attempting to massage the site. If you start to massage too soon, you may make matters worse.

Avoid sun exposure

It is critical to protect your incision areas from direct sunlight and harmful UV rays from sunbeds during the healing process. This can cause scars to deepen and become more noticeable. When going outside, wear clothing that covers the incision or use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF.

Avoid exfoliating or irritating the skin

Avoid exfoliating or scrubbing the area directly surrounding the scar. When towel drying after bathing, make sure you pat the area dry rather than rubbing. When you're allowed to shower post-surgery, use fragrance-free and gentle soaps and keep products like self-tanning lotions away from the healing wounds.

If you have had breast surgery and the results were not what you had hoped for, then breast revision surgery can help. There are several different types of breast revision surgery, depending on the issue which needs to be addressed. If you are considering breast revision surgery, then make an appointment with one of our expert surgeons in Chelsea, London to discuss how the procedure could benefit you.

Book a private consultation to discuss your concerns today.

Treatments mentioned in this article

Breast implants should be replaced every 10-15 years, or sooner if you start to notice changes.

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Breast Surgery

Breast Implant Replacement

Breast implants should be replaced every 10-15 years, or sooner if you start to notice changes.

Body Surgery

Scar Revision

Scar revision and reduction can surgically or non-surgically improve the appearance of a scar.

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Fat transfer for breasts allows for natural breast enlargement by using your own fat stores.