Breast Augmentation Revision. Upsizing. Will Recovery Be Quicker And Look More Natural Sooner? (photo)

Breast
augmentation is the number one aesthetic surgical procedure in the United
States. This is because the vast
majority of patients have a phenomenal result and are extremely happy with
their results. If patients could change
one thing after their augmentation surgery it would be that they wish they had
gone bigger.

Patients often
have a fear of going too big or looking overly “fake” so they tend to talk
themselves out of the breast implant they truly want to achieve their aesthetic
goals. Also silicone implants are much
softer and more natural than saline implants.
I think that a lot of people still have images of the round firm
appearance that the saline implants would give patients and thus want smaller
implants to avoid this appearance. With
the new silicone implants patients can go much larger and still look very soft
and natural.

I always tell
patients that they will go through a cycle where they will feel too big
immediately after surgery (because they are very swollen) and then when the
swelling goes away they miss the fullness.
Typically once patients are out a couple months and the implants have
settled and the swelling has resolved they will love their result.

When patients
do decide to go bigger the surgery is typically much easier. The muscle and skin has already been
stretched so the recovery is less painful and quicker. I do typically recommend to patients that if
they are going to go bigger that they need to go up at least 100cc so that they
see difference that is worth going through another surgery.

Please discuss
your surgical options with a board certified plastic surgeon that has
experience in revision breast surgery.

Yes you should have a quicker and easier recoveryPost-operative healing

Patients
will feel sore and tired during the first 48 to 72 hours following surgery.
During these first few days, the patient should engage in light activities,
refraining from lifting or raising the arms above the head.

Swelling
and bruising will subside during the first week after surgery and will be
controlled by pain medication. The initial surgical tapes will be removed a few
weeks after surgery during a post operative visit. Patients typically may
return to a work a few days after surgery (only a light workload during the
first two weeks). Showers are permitted on post op day #3 if there are no
drains.

Scars
will progressively fade throughout the first year following surgery.

Thank you for your question.  Recovery after upsizing is generally easier as the pocket has already been formed.  There will be some pain as the pocket will need to be enlarged to accommodate the larger implant.  In my practice, I find that swelling after upsizing is much less than after primary breast augmentation and my patients are back to normal activities in 2-3 weeks.  The implants will settle into place quicker than with primary breast augmentation.  The effect on stretch marks is unpredictable.

Breast Implant Replacement Recovery time will be quicker and easier than that of the primary surgery in most cases.
Post-Operative Healing following Breast revision varies from patient to patient and recovery recommendations also vary among different plastic surgeons - Best advice is to ask your surgeon his recommendations.
Below is what is typical for my practice.
Revision surgery is much less uncomfortable than your original surgery.
This is an outpatient surgery and you will  probably go home in a bra or with only light dressings over the incision lines.
In my practice - Sutures are dissolvable but the ending knot is removed within 1-2 weeks.
Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Light activities may be started in 7-10 days and return to work for light duty 1-2 weeks following surgery

Hi!

Thank you for your question.

Typically there is an easier and shorter recovery time associated with
revisional surgery when compared with the original augmentaiton. As
the other doctors have already stated, your breast pocket has already
been expanded which will help speeden up your healing process.

Good luck!

Dr. Sam Speron

As other responders have suggested, implant replacement usually involves easier recovery than primary breast augmentation, provided additional surgery such as mastopexy (breast lift) or another procedure is not combined with the implant exchange.

Hello Whodat, You've got it! A secondary breast augmentation (even with a modest up size) is an easier recovery and you will not have the same wait post procedure for the implants to look their best. Essentially, the pocket is there and the muscle is used to an implant so it's much easier on you than the primary surgery. The only undetermined factor is stretch marks. My guess is if you do not go up in size by much, it will not make them any worse, however, I don't think it will make them better either. Any significant up size will stretch the skin more, so yes, it's possible they could worsen. Good luck!

A second breast augmentation procedure is always easier than the first because the pocket has already been established. There will be less swelling and they will not become as tight afterwards as the first time. I would not count on them dropping, however, with new implants unless the lower edge of the pocket is intentionally lowered as well. 

Usually secondary breast surgery to enlarge the previously augmented breast is not as uncomfortable as the first surgery.

The pocket is formed after the promary breast augmentation and you will feel better and recover faster from you revision to upsize your breast implants. The stretch marks will soften and lighten and indicate that the breast got all it could take with the implants you are currently wearing. With the upsize you probably will not be as tight as the first time either.