Breast augmentation revision advice - how can I prevent a misshapen left breast? (Photo)

I would have to do an examination to give you good advice. If you have a capsular contracture, then changing the pocket may be a good idea. Are you satisfied with your right breast augmentation?

There are times after breast augmentation despite the surgery going well, when the outcome is less than ideal and asymmetric with one implant riding high. There may be various reasons for that and sometimes we just don't know. Was there asymmetry preoperatively? Were the inframammary folds at the same height prior to surgery? It would be interesting to know what the patient had done in the second procedure to allow dropping on the left. Usually this involves lowering the pocket by removing or creating cuts in the scar capsule surrounding the implant and making more space for the implant at the bottom of the breast. Without capsulotomy-this is the cutting of the capsule, the capsule would hold the implant up. In my practice I also tend to close the upper part of the capsule where the implant was riding high with internal long-lasting but ultimately dissolving stitches to help keep the implant down during the healing time. If a diagnosis of capsular contracture had been made with a firm breast, removal of the capsule and exchange of the implant may be necessary. I am not sure I understand the rationale for changing to a tall profile anatomic implant.

Dear foophar,

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