What Is Breast Revision Surgery?

Breast revision is a cosmetic surgery procedure that involves replacing old breast implants with new ones, changing or improving the appearance of the implants, or addressing changes that have occurred after breast augmentation surgery. Existing saline or silicone implants can be removed and replaced. In 2023, breast revision surgery has continued to be in high demand as patients are seeking more natural-looking breasts, which often involve smaller implants or fat grafting to the breasts.

What Is Dr. Jacob Unger’s Approach to Breast Revision?

*Individual patient results may vary.

Our plastic surgeon’s artistry, skill, and experience in breast surgery have led to the creation of the “bioengineered breast” concept, combining various new approaches to solve some of the world’s most challenging breast problems.

Many patients who have had breast procedures at other plastic surgery practices are not satisfied with their results. Whether complications occurred during or after surgery, or their aesthetic needs simply were not met, every patient deserves to be happy with their breasts. To correct the results of a previous breast procedure, Dr. Unger offers breast revision.

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Dr. Unger on Breast Revision Surgery

Your first step is a consultation with Dr. Unger. During your consultation, the two of you will discuss your breast revision needs and goals. 3-D imaging analysis may be employed in order to get the best idea of your exact situation. Dr. Unger will recommend the optimal course of treatment and will walk you through every step of it.

We frequently utilize Dr. Patrick Maxwell’s original “bioengineered breast” approach to breast revision. This may involve a variety of revision techniques, including fat grafting, regenerative matrix material, and the creation of a neopectoral pocket in the tissue. Form-stable gummy bear breast implants may be used, along with specialized techniques, to minimize the appearance of post-surgical marks. The patient will be under general anesthesia.

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Bioengineered Breast Revision by Dr. Jacob Unger

A “bioengineered” breast revision, developed by Nashville’s Dr. Jacob Unger, aims to re-create the look and feel of a natural breast by using an acellular dermal matrix as “scaffolding” in the upper and lower portions of the breast, the insertion of an appropriate implant, and fat grafting. This advanced two-stage technique can restore feminine contours and confidence to women who have experienced complications after a previous augmentation procedure or who want a new look after years with the same implants.

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Dr. Unger's Brest Revision Videos

What Are the Different Types of Breast Revision Surgeries?

Breast Augmentation Revision

Breast implants can cause numerous issues with the breasts. Breast asymmetry, capsular contracture (tightened scar tissue around the implant), rippling, and double bubble malformation are all problems that may stem from a previous breast augmentation procedure.

Implant drift or deflation may have occurred; these implants may need to be either surgically repositioned or replaced. Older types of implants can often be replaced with the newer gummy bear implants.

Some patients may feel that the aesthetic results of a previous breast augmentation were not what they were hoping for. For these patients, larger or smaller breast implants can be used in breast revision.

Breast Lift or Breast Reduction Revision

While the breast lift and breast reduction procedures often have separate goals—perkier breasts and lighter breasts, respectively—they both involve the removal of tissue from the breasts. They also change the overall shape of the breasts.

Too much or too little tissue may have been removed during the procedure, leading to results that did not match the patient’s aesthetic goals. When the position, volume, or shape of your breasts is not to your liking after these surgeries, Dr. Unger will be happy to provide breast revision with a lift or reduction.

Breast Reconstruction Revision

For those cases where a plastic surgeon has performed breast reconstruction that is not to a patient’s liking, Dr. Unger offers breast revision. The ability to precisely and safely revise the results of an already extremely complex procedure is not found in just any plastic surgeon. Dr. Unger’s high degree of skill and experience makes him the perfect choice for such a procedure.

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Breast Revision Before & After

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What Are the Benefits of a Breast Revision?

  • Reposition implants that have shifted position over time
  • Remove scar tissue that has contracted around an implant
  • Replace deflated or outdated implants with shapely, more natural-feeling ones
  • Enhance the results of a previous breast enhancement procedure
  • Correct another surgeon’s failed procedure
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Who Is a Candidate for Breast Revision?

How do you know if you need a breast revision? Who is a good candidate for breast implant revision? Those are two of the main things you may be asking yourself if you do not like how your augmented breasts look or feel.

If you had breast augmentation in the past and are dissatisfied with your implants or concerned about their condition, breast revision surgery could be ideal for you. Patients may qualify for breast revision if they are unhappy about the size, shape, or appearance of their breast implants, are concerned about their condition or integrity, are physically healthy and at a stable weight, maintain realistic expectations, and are a non-smoker.

There are many reasons why you may want to undergo breast revision. Your implants may be causing pain or discomfort, a rupture of a breast implant may have occurred, implants may have gradually fallen below the breast creases because the skin and tissues are not providing enough support for them, implant displacement may have occurred, the breast implant shape may have changed, capsular contraction may have occurred, or you may be unhappy with the size of your breasts and wish you had chosen a larger or smaller size.

How Do You Plan Your Breast Revision?

If you are considering breast revision, it’s recommended that you do some research, such as reviewing before and after photos and finding out more about what to expect during recovery. Preparing in advance for breast revision will help to ensure that you have reasonable expectations and a smooth recovery. Dr. Unger understands the hopes, expectations, and possible disappointments from your previous procedure or procedures. He likewise understands the feelings you may bring to your breast revision consultation with him. Using his extensive world-renowned experience in breast revision, his empathy and commitment, and his artistic eye, Dr. Unger will carefully address your particular challenges and concerns. In some cases, he may also use advanced 4-D imaging analysis to enhance your care plan.

He will also discuss your findings and objectives with you thoroughly before he offers specific guidance on how you can meet your goals through a breast revision procedure such as the following:

  • Revision breast augmentation: NPSI is internationally recognized for its skill in replacing and revising breast implants that are positioned asymmetrically, have developed excessive scar tissue, or have shifted position over time. We also perform breast revisions to replace traditional saline implants or older silicone implants with the newer and more natural-feeling “teardrop,” form-stable, or “gummy bear” implants. Beyond this, we are uniquely experienced and possess internationally recognized skill in treating other surgeons’ patients who have experienced multiple failed aesthetic breast procedures. These complex cases often involve thinned or stretched skin, wrinkling, “bottoming out,” or other implant malposition problems, such as “double bubble” deformity, symmastia, and severe or recurrent capsular contracture problems.
  • To help patients correct these severe conditions, the founder of NPSI developed the “bioengineered breast” approach, which incorporates individually selected implants, regenerative materials, and fat grafting, along with tissue-specific pocket maneuvers to create more exact results. Using his approach, we are frequently able to create a new surgical space, such as the “neopectoral pocket” (another technique originated by our founder) into which Dr. Unger places a form-stable “teardrop” or “gummy bear” implant (which our founder developed with Allergan). Dr. Unger then adds a regenerative matrix material as a tissue “thickener,” implant stabilizer, or capsule deterrent and refines the results with fat injections. This approach has led to successful outcomes in addressing even the most challenging cases, earning NPSI international recognition and referrals for revision breast augmentation.
  • Mastopexy and reduction: Patients may feel their previous surgeon removed too much or too little tissue, or they might be unhappy with how weight changes or tissue stretching have affected their skin. Some may experience issues from a prior breast lift, such as implant misplacement, or find that their implants have caused severe sagging, requiring surgical correction. These situations can range from relatively simple to highly complex, requiring a skilled surgeon to create a tailored breast revision plan. Our success in achieving excellent outcomes for these challenging cases has earned our practice international recognition and referrals. Our surgeons are sensitive to the concerns of all patients, no matter how large or small the problem, and can help you find a more flattering breast volume, shape, and position through a revision breast lift.
  • Breast reconstruction: This highly complex procedure requires a particularly advanced level of skill, and Dr. Unger has years of experience creating beautiful results for a wide range of secondary breast reconstruction patients.

Dr. Unger is recognized internationally for his exceptional surgical skills and natural-looking results. He uses special techniques to minimize scarring and will be happy to help you understand what to expect at each stage of breast revision.

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What Does the Breast Revision Procedure Involve?

Before your surgery, you’ll meet with Dr. Unger and his experienced, friendly staff to address any follow-up questions about your breast revision. Most breast revision procedures will require general or twilight anesthesia and are performed in the NPSI OR Suite, located within our private clinic. Hotels are conveniently located for out-of-town patients.

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What Is Recovery Like After Breast Revision?

Gauze dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions after your breast revision surgery. Depending on what type of breast revision surgery you have, you may need to wear a support bra or another type of garment afterward. Dr. Unger will provide guidelines for how to care for the surgical sites, which medications will need to be applied or taken orally, any specific concerns to watch out for, and when you will need to follow up with him.

The typical breast revision patient returns to everyday activities within a week and feels fully recovered within about a month. You will continue to heal from your breast revision as the swelling gradually subsides.

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Which Breast Procedures Are Available in Addition to Breast Revision Surgery?

Aside from breast revision surgery, Nashville Plastic Surgery Institute also provides many other types of plastic surgery to address the breasts, including breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reconstruction, breast reduction, and breast asymmetry correction. Breast revision and other types of breast surgery can be done as part of a Mommy Makeover—a combination of surgeries designed to address physical changes associated with pregnancy. Many individuals have a breast lift in conjunction with breast augmentation revision to correct changes caused by pregnancy or weight fluctuations.

What Is Postoperative Care Like for Breast Revision?

Once your breast revision is complete, Dr. Unger will recommend various postoperative care practices based on the specifics of your procedure. Generally, you will be able to go back to your daily schedule around a week after the date of breast revision. After one month, you should be recovered and ready to enjoy your breast revision results.

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Why Choose NPSI for Breast Revision Surgery? 

Dr. Jacob Unger, a board-certified plastic surgeon, offers expert breast revision procedures to address concerns from previous surgeries. Whether correcting complications, adjusting size, or enhancing symmetry, Dr. Unger provides personalized solutions tailored to your goals. His meticulous approach ensures natural-looking, balanced results that restore confidence and satisfaction.

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