Breast Implant Revision: Q&A
Ask a QuestionHow Long After Breast Augmentation Can the Revision Be Done?
I had a breast augmentation 3 weeks ago tomorrow. I am not satisfied as I wish I had gone with the larger implant. I have Silicone breast implants. How long do I have to wait to redo the breast augmentation?
Tags:
13 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Kate 1964
in kentucky
+3
Breast Implant revision
It can be quite an emotional roller coaster ride for a woman who, being self-conscious about her breast appearance, seeks out a surgical breast enhancement, chooses a surgeon, has a breast augmentation, and then ends up with a result that falls far short of her expectations - or even worse, results in a breast appearance about which she is even more self-conscious. I take this situation very seriously, and in my practice we do our very best to not only provide such patients with the enhanced...
more
+2
Slow down on reoperating for breast augmentation
We've always been taught to wait for 3 months before exchanging implants - I've seen this problem before and have been very, very tempted to change earlier than that to meet the patient's wishes. The prudent thing to do is wait. There's no sense in hurrying up and getting the size wrong again.
The reality is that you want to wait that time so that you can see the result once it has settled in. Try these implants with several different outfits and bathing suits, you may end up prefering your...
more
+2
Timing for breast implant revision
Dear Kate,
Three weeks after surgery, your breasts still haven't achieved their final appearance. In a lot of women, the skin envelope is still relatively tight. For some, that means that the implants will drop somewhat and achieve a more natural look - you might like the appearance more when that happens. Regardless, waiting at least 3 months after surgery, to give the skin a chance to relax, will help you and your surgeon pick an implant size that you like more, but can still be...
more
You might also like...
Real Stories
Breast Implant Rupture - Removal of Implants and Insertion of New - Toronto, ON
I had my initial breast augmentation approx 22 years ago. I experienced a rather traumatic...
+2
Breast augmentation
Dear Kate 1964
I am sorry that you are unhappy with the Breast Implant size. This is frustratiing and i am sure your doctor will guide you through this time and you will be very happy. Most surgeons like to wait 'for things to settle' which can be from 3 to 6 months- depending on the surgery. If you truly want to be much larger then you can consider replacing the implant sooner- allowing that your surgeon will do this.
With Warm Regards,
Trevor M Born MD
+2
Revision After Breast Augmentation
It is amazing to me how often patients write to us complaining that they are unhappy with the size of implants that they chose. This goes back to the relationship between the patient and the surgeon. I have a plastic surgeon friend who's favorite statement is "I just load the trucks. I don't drive them." Meaning he just follows what patients tell him they want. This is exactly the wrong thing that plastic surgeons should do. We are the experts, not the patients. It is our...
more
+2
Anatomical and emotional adjustment time
It takes a while for the anatomy to accommodate the implant. Some breasts look big and then shrink as swelling abates, and others look too small and tight but then increase in contour as the soft tissue stretch in response to the presence of the implant. Give your surgery a good 3-6 months to accomplish these things. In addition, a patient may take a variable amount of time to adapt to the new breasts. You have to 'wear' them in various situations to gauge how you feel about them. Breasts...
more
+1
Breast Revision
Sorry for you dissatisfaction regarding the size. The immediate postoperative period after breast augmentation can be an emotional time as patients regularly grapple with the question of size. To process these emotions and to heal properly, it is generally best to not consider a breast revision for 3- 6 months.
+1
Bigger implants
If you are not happy with the size at three weeks, I would wait a few months for things to settle down and the swelling to dissipate before having a revision.
+1
Changing cosmetic breast implants
Breast augmentation with implants is a completely elective, cosmetic procedure and the patient chooses to do it with appropriate informed consent from the plastic surgeon. She can also choose to undo it by having the implants removed or replacing the implants with a different size or type. This would not be a revision. It would be a choice just like the one to have it done the first time. We call it a re-augmentation and it can be done a short time or years after the original procedure....
more
+1
Adjusting to implant size
There is no perfect way to pick an implant size and no single right answer to how long to wait for a re-do. A typical sequence after surgery might go like this: at first they seem too large because they are swollen and firm; then after some settling and softening over a few weeks, they seem just right; and after more time goes by, a patient might say "If I had to do it all over again I would have gone a little larger." There are limits though to how much of a change can be made...
more
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
Comments (0)