Breast Revision Surgery: Timing, Pain, Recovery? Advice Based on 20 Years of Research
Hello — we are U&U Plastic Surgery, founded on over 20 years of breast surgery research.
I'm not happy with the result of my breast surgery,
so I'm considering a revision.
It's the shape,
and I also wish the size were a bit bigger.
I've been told to wait and watch
for 6 months to a year after surgery,
but I'm torn over whether to really wait that long.
Revision surgery timing —
when is the right time?
Source
First: for 3-6 months after surgery, breast shape can keep changing.
So for cosmetic revision surgery, the decision is usually made after seeing how the breast looks once it has stabilized.
The swelling hasn't even gone down yet
and I already don't like how it looks.
When the swelling goes down further,
won't the size get even smaller..
Revision surgery timing
Some of you may want to operate right away because you are unhappy with the size now.
But there is 1 thing you need to know.
A breast that looks small
within 6 months of surgery
may be an 'optical illusion.'
Source
Right after surgery, swelling puffs up the upper breast and settles in a pattern that flows downward.
The implant's contour is hidden and the breast lacks definition, so it can look less voluminous.
But as the swelling subsides, the upper breast deflates while the lower breast fills in, and the contour takes shape.
So even though the swelling is gone, the breast can actually feel bigger than before.
Because of these changes, it is better to decide on surgery after the breast has stabilized.
Some of you reading this may be considering a revision because you are unhappy with the 'feel.'
If so, there is something you must watch out for:
the possibility that capsular contracture is progressing.
Source
Capsular contracture is graded into 4 stages by severity. In the early stages there are few symptoms, so patients often fail to notice it.
The thing is, 'feel problems' appear in stages 1-2 of the 4 stages of capsular contracture.
Yet many people assume that since only the feel is off and everything else seems normal, there is no real problem.
Capsular contracture occurs when the capsule thickens excessively.
The study below investigated capsule changes in cases where the breast felt firm.
Women with breast-feel problems were examined by ultrasound to assess their capsules.
The finding: in cases with feel problems, the capsule was often abnormal as well — slightly thickened.
In other words, if your breast feel has changed, you should also suspect that it may be an early symptom of capsular contracture.
Surely it couldn't be capsular contracture? For those now worried, we attach a column on this complication.
It draws on an analysis of 82 published papers on capsular contracture symptoms, so please compare it against your own condition.
Capsular Contracture: Timing and Symptoms? An Analysis of 82 Published Papers
Hello — we are U&U Plastic Surgery, a clinic devoted exclusively to breast surgery. * Gangnam…
blog.naver.com
Below, we cover pain and recovery time for cosmetic revision surgery.
Revision surgery pain / recovery time:
will it be harder than the first surgery?
Source
That depends on which implant you choose.
If the size difference from
your first implant is small
(e.g. 250cc → 300cc),
the surgery actually becomes simpler.
Revision surgery pain
The space for the implant was already created in the first surgery, so there is less need to dissect and damage new tissue.
With less new tissue trauma, pain and recovery are lighter burdens than in the first surgery.
The problem, however, is when
the new implant differs greatly in size
from the first one
(e.g. 250cc → 400cc).
Revision surgery pain
In that case, the capsule created in the first surgery cannot be reused. (* capsule: the space that holds the implant)
The existing capsule must be removed and a new one created, which means a wider extent of dissection than in the first surgery.
As a result, pain and recovery time can be equal to the first surgery — or an even greater burden.
For those researching revision surgery timing, that is everything we have prepared.
For those who have read this far, we attach columns on studies of patients who reoperated over cost and size dissatisfaction.
Breast Revision Reviews — Size Dissatisfaction / Implant Replacement? Surgical Safety According to the Research
Hello — we are U&U Plastic Surgery, born of 20 years of research devoted to breast surgery…
blog.naver.com
Breast Revision Cost: Why Does It Vary So Wildly by Review and by Clinic? <Advice from 20 Years of Research>
I'm looking into revision surgery — how much should I budget? Usually the first sur…
blog.naver.com
Finally, for those heading to a new clinic rather than their original one, we close by sharing a helpful resource.
[Free PDF]
A collection of breast surgery Q&As
from 2 years in mom-community forums
Source
For 2 years, we ran a Q&A on breast augmentation in mom-community forums.
We answered questions about complications such as capsular contracture, as well as questions from those weighing important life stages such as childbirth and pregnancy.
Hoping to help those interested in breast augmentation, we share a selection of the most frequently asked questions from the Q&A.
[Free PDF] A collection of breast surgery Q&As from 2 years in mom-community forums
blog.naver.com
U&U Plastic Surgery currently keeps to a principle of 3 surgeries / 6 consultations per surgeon per day.
If you would like a consultation with us, please book through Naver Booking via the map below.
That is everything we have prepared.
Thank you for reading this long article.
This has been U&U Plastic Surgery — a breast surgery clinic born of 20 years of research devoted to the breast.
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U&U Plastic Surgery is the clinic that performs the most breast augmentation…
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Introducing our breast surgery / anesthesiology and pain medicine specialists
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U&U Plastic Surgery Clinic
Myungkwang Building, 819 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul