Why Do I Have to Wait 4 Months to Do a Revision

asked 1 year ago by AnnaH8785 in America
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 357 times
Tags: 3 months post-op, capsular contracture, timing, unsatisfied

I got implants in november. I felt too large with 300 cc and i switched to 250 cc silicones instead of saline after 4 months. Now I still feel too large after almost 3 months. I still feel hardness under my incision site which is scar tissue? but the last recovery was a breeze. I have decided I like smaller breasts (i was naturally a 34c) I want to switch to 125 cc but my dr said i hav to wait until its been 4 months to prevent capsular contracture. Why is this so?

11 answers to Why Do I Have to Wait 4 Months to Do a Revision

Waiting for revision

It takes around 4-6 months for the breast tissues to soften up following breast augmentation, and each additional surgery is only going to add more variables and complexities to the situation: more chance for complications; capsular contracture, scar tissue,etc. Although waiting may seem difficult, it has many advantages: the breasts may look much better to you at that later time; it gives your more time to evaluate your feelings about your size and appearance, and of course, it... more

Jerry Lugger, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Wait for Breast Revisionary Surgery?

Thank you for the question. There are both physiological and “psychological” reasons to wait on having revisionary surgery. From the physiological standpoint, it takes many months ( and even up to one year) to see the final results of surgery. factors such as swelling, tissue contraction, skin redraping, implant shifting etc. come into play. From the psychological standpoint, patients undergo an “adaptation period" during... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Why wait for revision

Generally it takes up to 6 months for tissues to soften and edema to resolve after surgery. If you revise the area too soon your may have to have additional surgeries due to the uncertainty of edema and induration in the area. Donald R. Nunn MD Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Let the tissues soften first

Hello, It is best to let the tissues soften before revision surgery. This takes at least 3-6 months. Some surgeons wait a year. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Revision augmentation

Revision augmentation is best after the tissues soften up. This may take 4-6 months for the breasts.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants too big? How long should you wait to change them?

Hi Anna I have to agree with Dr Tholen, 50 cc is a pretty minimal volume change. But I also agree with your doctor, many woman's breast will continue to shrink for 3-6 months after breast augmentation surgery as the swelling and any fluid around the implant reabsorbs. I'd wait at least 4-6 months to be sure you make the best decision possible regarding size.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation too large?

I'm sure both you and your surgeon want you to be happy with your breast augmentation. You may find that after three months you don't really want another operation. After all, 125 cc is not very much, and may not be worth your while. The hardness you feel under your incision is the result of healing from two surgeries, and you might find that this worsens with a third operation. Scar tissue takes a year or two to mature, and at that point you may no longer... more

Hugh McLean, MD
Mississauga Plastic Surgeon

Waiting (again) before another revision is a good idea!

Anna, I am sorry you felt too large with 300cc implants and your surgeon did not advise you that a 50cc drop in volume would give you an imperceptible change. I would have told you that your 300cc implants added just over a cup in bra size to what you started with (I believe it takes about 250cc to equal one cup size), and that to see a real difference, you would need to reduce by at least 100cc. Even this amount (100cc) would drop your overall cup size by less than a half a cup. 50cc is the... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Wait 4 months for the revision

It takes at least 3 months for the tissue to calm down after surgery. You may also have some fluid in the pockets where the implants are. You want to wait long enough for this fluid to be absorbed and the swelling in the tissue to go down, otherwise you may put an implant in that is too small. You may find that after a few month - after the swelling has gone down that the size is perfect. Every time you redo the surgery there are increased risks - more possibility of... more

Hilton Becker, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Timing of revision surgery

It is prudent to allow some time for tissues to settle before further surgery. You have already had two operations within a period of four months - waiting a bit longer will allow the scars to soften and swelling to disappear. Both will make the revisional surgery easier and the outcome more predictable.

Anindya Lahiri, MBBS
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Why wait before a revision?

The first three months after surgery, the breast still has considerable swelling and the implants usually have not settled into place. For that reason, it is hard to judge the true size and final contour so it is difficult to accurately plan a revision surgery. You may end up downsizing too much if the swelling is not factored in. Also, the tissues are more difficult to handle and tend to bleed more because of the inflammation that may still be present. Waiting gives... more