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What is breast implant revision surgery?

Breast implant revision is surgery performed to refresh prior breast augmentation surgery. Over time, typically on the order of decades, silicone implants wear down, sometimes inciting scar tissue to develop around the implant which may become symptomatic. This is called capsular contracture.

Saline implants over time have less of an issue with capsular contracture, and more of an issue with slow deflation leading to rippling, again on the order of decades. Silicone implants became available 5 years ago for augmentation purposes, so some women desire to switch from saline to silicone.

Whether implants were originally placed for cosmetic or for reconstructive purposes, over the course of decades, implants may require replacement. In other cases, surgical error may result in the need for improved secondary breast surgery. Patients may also simply change their mind about having implants and request a size adjustment or complete removal.

Some women have poor placement of their implants or poor harmony of the implant with breast lift that may have been performed.

For revision surgery, the same scar may be used from the prior implant surgery to remove the existing implants and replace them with new ones, and Dr. Shermak will replace with saline or silicone breast implants depending on patient choice, in a broad size range. If the scars are related to a breast lift procedure, Dr. Shermak can use these scars to tighten or improve on the contour of the breasts.

Some women decide to pursue a breast lift at the same time of implant revision. Dr. Shermak specializes in revision breast surgery. Check out Dr. Shermak, a Mentor Company preferred plastic surgeon, on its website “Love your Look” and on the Sientra website as well.

Common reasons for breast revision surgery at a glance:

  • Breast implant rippling
  • Breast implant rupturing
  • Capsular contracture
  • Breast implant shifting
  • Concerns about size or type of implant
  • Concerns about implant placement
  • Desire for implant removal
  • Surgical error

Who is a good candidate for breast implant revision surgery?

Good candidates for breast implant revision surgery are women in good health, non-smokers, who have noted a change in feel or in appearance of their breast implants, who have never been comfortable with results from their implant surgery, or who have been diagnosed with implant rupture from a breast imaging study.

At consultation Dr. Shermak will discuss with you options for treatment, largely depending on your goals. While some women choose to remove their implants altogether, others opt for replacement, and maybe a switch to a different style or size of implant.

Details of the procedure

Breast revision surgery is performed under general anesthesia at our accredited outpatient medical facility and takes 1-3 hours on average, depending on the extent of the work completed. When necessary, the doctor may have to perform narrowing of the breast pocket with suture techniques or with biomedical products such as alloderm or strattice. This helps shape the breast more optimally and guard against future episodes of capsular contracture.

What is the recovery like for Baltimore breast implant revision patients?

Surgery is performed as an outpatient. One may experience temporary discomfort, swelling, or numbness. If the breast implants caused symptoms prior to surgery, many women share that they actually feel more comfortable immediately after surgery. Most women resume regular low impact activity within a week and drive within 10 days. Heavy exercise and lifting are discouraged for a month.

Can I have surgery under local anesthesia?

Dr. Shermak may be able to perform surgery under local anesthesia that takes about an hour. This is best performed in women with saline implants who desire removal only. Patients do amazingly well with this procedure.

The way you look and feel directly affects your self-confidence. In addition to treating Baltimore Breast Implant Revision Surgery patients, Dr. Shermak takes care of many Baltimore Abdominoplasty, Body Lift, Fat Grafting, and Facial Plastic Surgery patients. Please visit these pages to learn more about the other cosmetic procedures offered.

Getting your implants checked

Breast implants settle and may wear down over time. More importantly, the body changes over the years, which may result in a potential breast revision surgery. The best thing to do is consult a Board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Michele Shermak in Baltimore, Maryland, who has years of education and experience on the subject of breast surgery. Read more about this on our blog: It may be Time to get your Implants Checked.

Next steps? Schedule a Consultation

We invite you to call Dr. Shermak’s Baltimore plastic surgery office at 410-324-6592 to schedule your personal, comprehensive consultation today regarding breast implant revision and removal in Maryland. During this session, Dr. Shermak will examine your breasts, review your medical records and previous surgeries, jot down any current medications, and begin to formulate a customized plan of action for addressing your revision needs and goals. Rather than disparage the work of any other surgeon, the doctor prefers to concentrate on how she can solve the most pressing problems presented in an innovative and aesthetically pleasing way.

Dr. Shermak believes that an educated, well-informed client has the best chance for success with their procedure, so she will spend as much time as necessary during the consultation to answer all your questions and concerns in depth. You will also receive access to our extensive online library of before and after photography.

1304 Bellona Avenue Suite 100, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093

Dr. Michele Shermak offers some of the top cosmetic procedures Baltimore, MD has to offer
including Baltimore breast augmentation & liposuction

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$100 in office consultation fee. If patient decides to go ahead with the treatment, that $100 will be credited towards the procedure

COVID-19 Update 03/15/2022

This is a new day, with new safety protocols. Our goal is to keep everyone safe and respect the continued concerns COVID-19 may present.

The state of Maryland is now fortunately downgraded to Yellow Status. COVID stress on the medical system has lessened and most areas in the state no longer mandate masks.

Currently in our office we are maintaining sterile surfaces and compulsive cleaning protocols – as always. We are requesting information about vaccination status, to particularly better help us prepare for patients interested in surgical procedures.

We are not mandating masks. We do respect our patients’ wishes and will wear a mask when requested to do so. We want our patients to be absolutely comfortable. All of our staff are vaccinated.

This is certainly an evolving issue and we will continue to pivot as COVID statistics change – hopefully for the better! Thank you!