Is it possible to have a reconstruction revision surgery if you are not happy with the way they look?

You can absolutely have breast reconstruction revision surgery if you are unhappy with your results after your first reconstruction. Breast reconstruction is a journey and often requires more than one surgery to deliver the type of results that make you feel whole again.

The primary focus of the initial surgery is often complete removal of the breast cancer. Once the breast cancer has been removed, subsequent surgeries can focus more on optimizing aesthetic outcomes, symmetry, and providing natural-looking results. Secondary breast reconstruction surgeries may involve something called a balancing procedure to the unaffected breast, nipple reconstruction, fat transfer (to address contour irregularities, camouflage rippling, or soften the aesthetic lines). It may also involve adding an internal bra to improve implant position or changing implant size to optimize overall size.

Simple answer is YES! The ultimate goal is your happiness. There are limitations on expected results but overall I believe what you are asking for is not unreasonable. There are many options for re-reconstruction and I would suggest you go to a board certified plastic surgeon to hear about your options. Good Luck!

Revision is possible depending on the nature of the problem.  Most certainly nipple and areolar reconstruction is definitely possible. 

Dr. ES

It would be good to check with your insurance carrier prior to the surgery to check on benefits, but if your breast don't match most carriers will pay for follow up surgery to make you breasts match even if that means doing something to the opposite side.

Check with your plastic surgeon and they can write the appropriate letter to your insurance company.

Good Luck,

Dr T

Thank you for your question. Yes is the answer. There are many techniques which can enable you to have symmetric looking breasts. I would seek out a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction. Let her or him take a look at your breasts and offer you different possibilities. Best of luck.

Yes of course you can be evaluated for a revision.Three
basic forms of breast reconstruction exist. You can use your own tissue,
implants or a combination of the previous two techniques. Your own tissue can
be used in the form of the DIEP flap, PAP flap, SGAP flap or fat grafting.
Implants can be done in one stage or two stage. Two stage reconstructions are
started by placing expanders at the time of mastectomy. Once they expanders are
placed they are able to be inflated as determined by wound healing. The final
time consists of combining any of the above techniques.



If
you are interested in being seen in Austin please give us a call. I know
this is a difficult time for you. The majority of my practice is devoted
to reconstruction for women with breast cancer or who are BRCA+

Yes, it is definitely possible to get "re-reconstructive" surgery! All breast cancer treatment including lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction, and any balancing procedure are covered by your insurance.  Usually after breast reconstruction, the contralateral breast (native breast) will be different from the reconstructed breast in terms of size and shape.  You can elect to revise your reconstructed breast and/or augment/reduce/lift your the other breast.  This is vey common procedure after breast reconstruction.

It is not uncommon for patients who have had breast reconstruction surgery to require more than just a single procedure. The 1998 Federal Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act even stipulates that insurance plans that provide coverage for mastectomy surgery must provide coverage for surgery done to improve symmetry between a reconstructed breast and the opposite breast (even if it is a revision) and for nipple reconstruction procedures. Of course, you should be sure so pre-certify the procedure  with your insurance carrier and request a predetermination of benefits to be sure. 

With respect to achieving your desired look, it would be impossible to say which approach or approaches to breast reconstruction might be best for you. There are many options (e.g., saline implants, silicone implants, DIEP flap, TUG flap, etc.), so I would suggest that you consult with one or more board-certified plastic surgeons who have extensive experience with breast reconstruction surgery.

I hope this is helpful.

Revisionary or re-do breast reconstruction is quite common. There are many variables that go into how symmetric a reconstruction can be and sometimes it is quite difficult. Nevertheless, if you are not happy with your reconstructive appearance, speak to your surgeon. Revisions can certainly be done and nipple reconstruction should be offered as a component of the reconstruction.

You are entitled to have a revision.  We see many women who convert from implants to flaps, from saline to silicone, etc.

Because of the Women's Health Care Rights Act (late 1990's) -- this is covered by insurance, including an operation on the normal side to correct asymmetries.