How Soon Can I Have Breast Augmentation Revision?

The period of time immediately following breast augmentation
surgery is characterized by rapid change.During this period of time swelling, muscle spasm, inflammation and
healing process itself, all contribute to change in the appearance of a woman’s
breasts.For
these reasons, we rarely perform revisional breast surgery for at least six
months following breast augmentation.When revisional surgery is performed before adequate healing has taken
place, the complication rate for this type of procedure increases
dramatically.Under these circumstances,
the incidence of infection, adverse scarring, wound healing problems and poor
aesthetic results increases.After
six months, wound healing dynamics are more favorable and this translates into
better clinical results and higher levels of patient satisfaction.

There are many reasons to undergo breast implant revision.  If you have delayed healing, that is a problem that just requires some patience and wound optimization.  I would begin by consulting with your plastic surgeon about optimizing your scar and then begin your conversation about implant revision. 

It all really depends on the reason for surgery. If you are having wound healing issues, then you may need to go ahead and have the surgery. However, if you are just wanting the implants switched out for a different size, then the general recommendation is to wait 3 to 6 months for the swelling to resolve and the tissues to settle. Good luck with your surgery.

In general, revisions are done after 6 months.  With time there may be improvement without the need for a secondary procedure.  With conditions that are not expected to improve with time, (fluid around the implant, infection, implant malplacement, capsular contractures) a secondary procedure is indicated when first observed or becomes problematic.  If sizing is a problem, I think it's best to wait 1 year and reassess.

Early return to the operating room for revision is not usually recommended.  However, if a patient is having a problem such as wound dehiscence, infection, seroma, hematoma, flap loss to name a few may need to go back to treat the problem.

Dear IM,
Don't generalize yourself into a category for reoperation. Every patient is different and brings a different set of variables to both the consultation and the operating tables. If by "healing problems on my wounds" you mean bad scars then you should wait as long as one year for the scars to mature. Have trust in your surgeon, who will determine when, if necessary, it is appropriate to reoperate on YOU. Good luck!

I really would like to give you a concrete answer, but to do this, I need to know what your wound healing problems are, and what type of correction you are planning. Generally, however, at 12 weeks out, you should be well healed, but not completely healed, and so the risks usually associated with surgery and anesthesia would apply.

If you are talking about a scar revision, you should wait six to 12 months as scars may soften, flatten, and change colors. If it the incision has not healed at all, then it might be more imperative to go in sooner. If the implant is infected, then you need to be treated sooner rather than later. Problems with the size, position, shape, or capsular contracture of the implant itself should be addressed on an individualized basis.

Hello,
Revision surgery can be emotionally and physically difficult. My advice would be to wait at least 6 months until all wounds have healed and all swelling has resolved. There is no up side to operating early and you could end up needing additional revisions.
Operating on tissues that are not completely healed and settled can lead to:
1. designing the wrong revisionary operation;
2. higher rates of infection;
3. additional healing problems with scars and;
4. possible need for additional surgery.
Ask your surgeon for a plan, both on the time scale as well as the actual surgery. Make sure that you voice your specific concerns and make sure that your doctor feels he/she can deliver on those concerns.
There is no harm in seeking an additional opinion or two from board-certified plastic surgeons in your area. Patience is usually rewarded in the end, so hang in there and good luck.

You don't say what "healing problems" you have had.
1) If you have open wounds or a possibly infected implant, that of course should be dealt with immediately.
2) If you are all healed, and have a problem with shape, size, symmetry, or hardness, then I would wait another 3 months to let everything settle before re-operating.
It is crucial to have a detailed plan in advance to correct the problem and prevent recurrence. We use temporary, disposable implant SIZERS during surgery to judge size, shape, and symmetry before commiting to a permanent implant. This takes the guess work out.
Sometimes, changing the implant pocket (subpectoral, dual-plane, sub-fascial, subglandular) or changing the implant (saline to silicone, for example) is necessary. Sometimes, modifying the implant pocket with internal sutures helps.
3) If the problem is thick scars, there are several ways to improve them, but I would not do a scar revision for one year.