
Revision surgery is designed to fine-tune the reconstructed breast(s) and donor site. It is typically performed about 3 months after the initial reconstruction as an outpatient surgery. The revision stage will differ depending on the initial type of reconstruction and the patient's goals.
What to expect after breast reconstruction?
After Your Breast Reconstruction Surgery. You can expect the tissue expanders to be in place for about three months. During this time, you may feel some tightness in your chest as the tissue stretches and heals. Reconstruction is a journey with your care team. This is a multi-stage treatment. Your best results may not happen in one surgery.
Is it possible to do a breast reduction revision?
The recovery from the revision breast reduction procedure is generally much easier and shorter, however. Most women return to their normal routine within one to two weeks. Dr. Shapiro will prescribe oral pain medication to make the recovery period more comfortable.
What would be best type of breast reconstruction?
On the following pages, you can read about:
- Implant Reconstruction
- Autologous or "Flap" Reconstruction Body Lift Perforator Flap DIEP Flap Fat Grafting IGAP Flap Latissimus Dorsi Flap PAP Flap SGAP Flap/Hip Flap SIEA Flap Stacked DIEP Flap Stacked/"Hybrid" GAP Flap ...
- Altering the Opposite Breast
- Minor Corrections After Reconstruction
- Reconstruction After Lumpectomy
- Nipple Reconstruction
Why to consider breast reconstruction?
What factors can affect the choice of breast reconstruction method?
- Enough skin and muscle must remain after mastectomy to cover the implant
- Shorter surgical procedure than for reconstruction with autologous tissue; little blood loss
- Recovery period may be shorter than with autologous reconstruction
- Many follow-up visits may be needed to inflate the expander and insert the implant

What is breast reconstruction revision?
What is breast reconstruction revision? Patients who have had breast reconstruction in a prior procedure (either implant or flaps) may require revisionary surgery or additional procedures to improve appearance, alleviate pain, correct any deformity, or provide better symmetry.
How long does a breast revision take?
Depending on your needs and goals, Dr. Herte may also adjust the position or size of the areola. She will then complete your breast revision by closing the incisions and placing surgical bandages. The entire breast revision procedure takes about two to three hours.
Can breast reconstruction be redone?
Breast reconstruction has given women the option to replace a breast that has been removed because of cancer. But reconstruction techniques, like most medical procedures, have improved through the years for those who, for a variety of reasons, must have their old reconstruction redone.
How long does it take to recover from breast revision surgery?
Breast Revision Surgery: What You Should Know Estimated recovery time: Patients can usually expect to return to work after 1 to 2 weeks, and they should avoid vigorous activities for 3 weeks. Visible bruising should subside within 2 weeks, and swelling should begin to resolve within 3 weeks.
Is breast revision surgery easier?
Secondary surgery is often more challenging than the primary procedure and requires a more advanced skill set on the part of your physician. A surgeon performing breast revision must navigate complicating factors such as scar tissue and changes to the skin and breast resulting from the first surgery.
Is breast revision less painful?
Is Breast Implant revision surgery painful? The trauma of making the incisions and creating the breast pockets to hold the implants has already occurred during your original augmentation procedure. Because of that, most patients feel there is less pain and recovery is easier after revision surgery.
Do reconstructed breasts sag over time?
A breast reconstructed with an autologous procedure may develop some sag with time and gravity, but a breast reconstructed with an implant rarely sags. Over time, your other breast may sag while the reconstructed breast remains higher and firmer.
What is a mastectomy revision?
What is Revision? Revision is additional surgery to improve the aesthetic appearance of the chest wall contour. An unsatisfactory mastectomy closure can almost always be improved with revision, often dramatically.
What happens if breast reconstruction fails?
If your flap fails completely and is removed, you will need to recover fully from the operation. You usually have to wait about 6 to 12 months before you can try to have reconstruction again.
Do implants drop after revision?
After A Breast Revision Surgery Or Breast Augmentation Replacement. Everyone heals differently, and it will take several weeks or even months before the swelling goes down and your breasts drop into their final position after a breast revision.
How do I prepare for breast revision surgery?
Get breast or implant imaging, such as a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI. Take certain medications or adjust your current medications. Stop smoking. Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.
What is the best reconstruction after mastectomy?
Breasts can be rebuilt using implants (saline or silicone). They can also be rebuilt using autologous tissue (that is, tissue from elsewhere in the body). Sometimes both implants and autologous tissue are used to rebuild the breast.
The exact details of the revision surgery required will depend on the type of breast reconstruction the patient had initially
Flap revision involves shaping the breast (s) and making them as symmetric as possible in terms of size and shape. Fat grafting can be used to address contour irregularities and size discrepancies.
Hear from Our Patients
I'm super excited and love the results and feel amazing. I want to let anyone listening to this know that I had the worst anxiety before my surgery thinking of everything you can imagine. I can say that this was 100% the right choice for me I love the way that I look. The process was much easier than what I expected.
Schedule Your Virtual Consultation
Get personalized breast reconstruction recommendations from our board-certified plastic surgeons in the comfort of your home.
Recovering from Breast Reconstruction Revision
Breast reconstruction revision recovery varies by procedure. You may have undergone breast implant exchange surgery or implant removal followed by DIEP Flap. Those are the most common options for corrective breast reconstruction.
Follow-Up Surgeries to Shape and Refine Your Breasts
It’s perfectly normal to undergo minor procedures after you’ve healed from your primary breast reconstruction revision surgery. These procedures help achieve the ideal breast shape, volume, contour, and overall appearance. Sometimes, a minor shaping procedure is all that’s needed to improve reconstruction done elsewhere.
Breast Reconstruction Revision Results
Achieving great results through breast reconstruction revision is a journey. But with patience, perseverance, and our world-class team in your corner, you’re sure to get the best outcome possible.
Learn About Your Options for Corrective Breast Reconstruction in Lone Tree
Our board-certified plastic and reconstruction surgeons consider it a privilege to help you finally achieve the results you desire. Let us help restore your sense of femininity, wholeness, and confidence.
Fast facts
You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.
What is breast implant revision surgery?
Breast implant revision surgery can address a variety of concerns for people who've had previous breast augmentation surgery, to improve the feel and appearance of the breasts. While some women just want to change their implant size or trade up to newer implant technology, others seek out revision surgery to correct issues like:
What are the pros and cons of breast implant revision?
Breast implant revision surgery can align your breast shape and size with your current preference.
How much does it cost to redo breast implants?
Factors that affect the cost of breast augmentation revision surgery include the experience level of your surgeon, their practice location, the type of implants you get, and the length and difficulty of the procedure.
How often do breast implants need to be replaced?
There’s a common misconception that implant replacement needs to be done every 10 to 15 years. “If you have no problems with your implants, then nothing needs to be done with them,” explains Dr. Frank Lista, a plastic surgeon in Mississauga, Ontario. However, it’s important to monitor the state of your implants on a regular basis.
How soon can you have a breast augmentation revision?
Expect to wait at least a few months and up to a year after your primary breast augmentation before you can have revision surgery.
What happens during breast implant revision surgery?
Breast implant revision surgery typically takes one to three hours, depending on its complexity, the doctor’s technique, and whether a breast lift is being performed at the same time.
