Breast augmentation with implants is not a permanent procedure. Often, patients will need to have adjustments made to the implants or have implants removed due to complications. Surgery that is performed to adjust or correct an implant is called a breast revision. Having a breast revision performed puts a patient at risk of surgical complications such as infection. Alternatives to replacing breast implants include both surgical and non-surgical options.
Surgical Alternatives
Meet with the surgeon who performed your breast augmentation to discuss the particular aspects of your breasts that you are unhappy with. If an implant has ruptured, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recommends removal of the implants. If implants are removed and not replaced, the breast tissue will be different than it was prior to augmentation. It may be loose and dimpled or scarred. Implant removal is an alternative to revision when an implant has ruptured, hardened or if implants are no longer wanted.
Another surgical alternative to replacing implants is keeping the implants originally placed and doing a breast lift procedure to change the breast shape. Breast lifts may also be performed after implants are removed. A surgical breast lift can change the shape of the breasts and fix some aesthetic complaints such as evenness. If a capsular contracture has formed around the implant causing hard and distorted breasts, this can be corrected surgically without replacing the implant.
Having a reverse tummy tuck performed may also change the look of the breasts. With a reverse tummy tuck, skin is removed from the upper portion of the stomach and it may be used to augment the breast area.
Non-Surgical Alternatives
Non-surgical alternatives may be an option depending on the specific issue caused by breast implants. If the contours of the breasts are not what was expected, injections of medication are administered by a physician to locally correct ripples from implants or areas with less tissue.
Other non-surgical options can correct implants that are too small. Wearing padded or push up bras, or using breast inserts in a bra can increase breast size appearance and cleavage without surgery.
Tags: implants removed, breast lift, breast revision, implant ruptured, non-surgical options, reverse tummy
