Can I have a breast revision after 3 revisions the last one with Gala Flex Mesh? (Photos)

Question

10 yrs ago I had 400ccs saline implants overfilled. 3 years ago I opted for a breast lift 350ccs. Mishappened results. I had 2 more revisions. The last one with 450cc silicone high profile with GalaFlex. Which has hardened underneath my breast (hard to the touch). Dr. Said it takes 2 years to dissolve. I'm not happy with my result. They do not have upper pole fullness. I prefer the look of saline to silicone. They are too far apart and too pointy travel too far to my sides. Can I get a revision?

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear Zelia,   Thanks for posting your pictures and sorry for all your troubles with the breasts augmentation procedure. From observing your pictures the following is noticed:1. Your breasts appear to be C cup size. You can easily go to a full C or small D cup size , which will help to get a nice cleavage and upper pole fullness.2. Wide cleavage. Medial capsulotmy (scar release) and muscles dissection towards the medline will help the implants to move more medially, creating a nice cleavage.3. Lateral displacement of implants. This creates the wide cleavage when lying down. Lateral capsulorrhaphy (internal bra) will solve that problem. With that procedure, which narrows the pocket, you will  get nicer cleavage and nicer upper pole fullness.4. In picture 2 the right sub mammary crease appears lower than the left one. That can be from excess skin that can be excised or inferior displacement of implant which can be solve by inferior capsulorrhaphy.  I have done thousands of breasts augmentation surgeries with almost exclusively smooth, round, moderate profile made by Mentor, so going back to saline implants might be a good idea. As far as the hard Galaflex, it can be excised at the hardened areas.   Always, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures of redo breasts augmentation in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with nice cleavage, perky, symmetrical and natural looking.                 Best of luck,                                  Dr Widder

Donald R. Revis Jr, MD · Answer

Good morning!I wish this weren't such a common problem I see in the office! I completely agree with your assessment- you have a wide gap, some bottoming out and lateral displacement, and the silicone implants don't look as good on your frame as saline. Yes you can have a revision, and typically I remove the GalaFlex because the hard area indicates it has rolled over on itself and is sort of bunched up there. Even two years from now it may not be gone, and clearly it did not do the job it was intended for. Too often surgeons think mesh is some sort of magic answer that can be thrown in there without a proper suture repair and everything magically turns out great- not! But it keeps me very busy fixing other surgeons' wrong assumptions.Here's what I would do:1) remove the GalaFlex2) the Original Internal Bra, my strong permanent internal suturing technique which corrects your bottoming out and lateral displacement and lifts and supports your implants, giving you better upper pole fullness and cleavage. This is the most common repair I perform, 5-6 times a week- it works and it lasts3) switch to overfilled saline implants

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear ZeliaM,
breast revision surgery is the most difficult plastic surgery procedure performed. Botched breast surgery alters normal tissue planes and laxity, the ability of breasts to heal properly, and leaves scar tissue that dramatically affects the level of difficulty of the corrective surgery.Many patients come in to correct poor outcomes from their initial surgeries. The most common problems are due to implant malposition, bottoming out of the implant, poor scarring, and incorrect implant size.While the type of revision required will depend on the result of the previous surgery and the desired result of the patient, some revisions involve extensive pocket repair that may or may not need specialized external bras.If you are considering breast surgery revision, you should speak with a board certified plastic surgeon and have yourself properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations. Also, you have to make sure that your surgeon understands your breast augmentation goals.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jason Pozner, MD · Answer

How long ago was the previous surgery? Sometimes the Galaflex can fold and gets a bit hard. In your case, I would use excise some more skin horizontally and maybe place more support - either Galaflex or Strattice and maybe change the implant

Can I have a breast revision after 3 revisions the last one with Gala Flex Mesh? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Breast revision

Answer: Breast revision

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can I have a breast revision after 3 revisions the last one with Gala Flex Mesh? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Breast revision

Answer: Breast revision

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.