Breast Implant Revision: Q&A

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What Can I Do Now? How Soon Can I Revise This Revision? (photo)

When I was 18, I had saline implants placed under the muscle, taking me from a non-existent a-cup to quite a full C. My implants held up for 10 years and I never had any complaints about symmetry, rippling, etc. I had this surgery because I thought my right breast was slowly deflating. It was not, but my po did not realize that until I was in surgery. I am not sure what the original problem was, but this surgery only made it worse. Is it illegal for a dr to lie about being board certified?

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by swift in New York

Doctor Answers (13)
Community Comments (0)

It Is Illegal To Lie About Board Certification

It's unfortunate that this happened to you, especially when your original saline implants were fine. It is illegal for a doctor to lie about being board certified, however, sometimes doctors may be a little unclear about what board certification they have - this is not illegal. For example, they may be a board certified Dermatologist, but not a Plastic Surgeon. Did your surgeon specify what board certification they had? In Canada, you are able to check the certification of any... more

Jerome Edelstein, MD

13 reviews

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Suboptimal result after breast augmentation revision

You essentially have 2 issues here - the poor cosmetic result of your repeat surgery, and the qualification of your surgeon. Regarding the outcome, you certainly have a suboptimal result (this is doctor talk for "bad"). You have asymmetry that may be related to capsular contracture or implant malposition. Without an in-person examination it is impossible to say for sure which is the problem. You will most likely need another revision. Regarding board certification, yes it... more

Breast issue in NYC

It may take time for the implant to come down. If surgery was a while ago ,then it probably won't and you will need further surgery to correct this probable capsule issue. Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Revision and board certification issues

I am sorry that you are unhappy with the revision. You should give it a bit of time. If possible, I have my potential deflation patients have an MRI or ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. This does add another layer of expense but it is frequently covered by insurance, unlike the surgery, and it is possible for something to appear like a slow leak deflation but then to have the MRI confirm that the implant is intact. In terms of board certification, the American Board of Plastic Surgery... more

Time for another opinion

Yours is a complex situation and certainly your result is not optimal. As to the Board Certification issue, you can look up at plasticsurgery.org whether your surgeon was Board Certified in Plastic Surgery. Unfortunately the law does not prevent basically about anybody from doing cosmetic surgery even with no formal plastic surgery training. Find out who is the best Board Certified Plastic Surgeon (not "cosmetic surgeon") in your area and go for another opinion. Good luck. more

What Can I Do Now? How Soon Can I Revise This Revision?

Last question first--this is not a forum for dispensing legal advise. There are a few surgeons who are also attorneys, but not many. The laws covering this kind of behavior would vary state by state. you might be able to find an answer were you to inquire at the state medical board. On the post op photos I can certainly see why you are dissatisfied with the current outcome. Normally I would suggest discussing with your surgeon what makes you unhappy and then work out the possible... more

Breast Augmentation Revision

I am not sure what was done during the revision, as the last picture shows good symmetry. This should have been straightfoward. Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of breast augmentations and revisions each year. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Problem after breast revision

It appears that there is either a capsular contraction or meal position of the implant. Depending on the timing since surgery another revision may be necessary. As for your question about board certification, it is illegal to falsely claim certification. However, some still do it and or are purposely vague about why they are board certified in. You need to see a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Unhappy after Revisionary Breast Surgery?

I'm sorry to hear about the complications you have had after breast surgery. Given that you have had revision breast surgery recently, it will likely be in your best interest to wait at least 6 months before evaluating the end results of the procedure performed. At that point, if you remain displeased, consider seeking 2nd opinion consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate significant experience with revisionary breast surgery. Make sure you communicate... more

Worse after a revision

Can be quite disconcerting as you are right now. First, it is illegal to misrepresent yourself as board certified but was your surgeon saying board certified plastic surgeon, or just a board certified surgeon? Secondly, you have a major mismatch and a revision will be needed. There are so many different options that you will have to see another surgeon for a second opinion, unless you still have a great relationship with your original surgeon. Regardless, you should... more

Curtis Wong, MD

7 reviews

Redding Plastic Surgeon

Revision

Patience is what you need at this time. I would not rush into another procedure for many months.

What Can I Do Now? How Soon Can I Revise This Revision?

Stop the madness. Seek IN PERSON opinions before continuing with surgeries. Make sure the PSs are certified by the Am Board of Plastic Surgery @Seven Penn Center, Suite 4001635 Market StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19103-2204(215) 587-9322General e-mail: info@abplsurg.org.

What Can I Do Now? How Soon Can I Revise This Revision? (photo)

Doesn't look so bad to me from photos submitted. Implants are mechanical devices, and your result depends on your native chest and breast anatomy, type of implants, size of implants, positioning of implants, implant-tissue interaction, presence of ductal bacterial flora around the implant(s), amount of bleeding at surgery, your skin elasticity, and other factors, known and unknown. No two human bodies are perfectly alike, implants are imperfect, and the operation to augment... more