Breast Revision Richmond

Name: Breast Revision
Brand: Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery
Rating: 4.6 (515 reviews)

Breast revision surgery is a viable option for any patient who did not achieve their desired cosmetic results the first time and seeks a more balanced, sculpted upper body appearance. Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin, both board-certified, Fellowship-trained plastic surgeons, are dedicated to resolving your concerns while restoring your confidence and quality of life.

Woman smiling wearing a grey shirt with her arms crossed

What is breast revision surgery?

Breast revision surgery is an umbrella term encompassing any secondary procedure to address the patient’s concerns with their chest. Revisions can be performed after mastopexy, breast reduction, breast augmentation with implants, or axillary breast tissue removal. There are a wide range of issues that can lead to the desire for revision breast surgery. Some have to do with complications, such as capsular contracture, implant migration, or BII (Breast Implant Illness), while other reasons have to do with the patient’s change in aesthetic preferences or desire to go up or down in cup size. Whatever the motivation for the revision, it is important that patients are fully healed from their initial surgery, which typically takes at least six months.

Drs. Burton M. Sundin and Reps B. Sundin are highly experienced, precision-oriented experts when it comes to revision surgery. They have at their disposal a wide array of cutting-edge techniques that can be used to artfully combat any cosmetic or medical problem that arises for the patient after their primary breast surgery. These techniques include implant removal, implant exchange, fat transfer, capsulectomy (total, partial, or en bloc), liposuction, and breast lift surgery, among other solutions. In general, revision surgery requires the highest degree of skill and artistry, as the surgeon must deal with thinned, weakened breast tissue and the build-up of scar tissue.

Common reasons for breast revision surgery include:

A desire to change implant size
A desire to have implants removed
A desire to switch implant types
Breast asymmetry
Poor scarring
Complications after implant surgery (capsular contracture, rippling, leakage, deflation, BII, BIA-ALCL, implant migration, etc.)

Woman wearing a white lacey bra and sheer white top

Revision breast reduction

While breast reduction can often relieve discomfort and reshape the figure, some women experience dissatisfaction with their results, necessitating a revision surgery. The initial breast reduction may have removed too much or too little breast tissue, led to breast asymmetry, or resulted in unfavorable scarring. Sometimes the patient gains weight, becomes pregnant, or ages, all of which can impact the results of the initial surgery. Whatever the reason for pursuing a revision breast reduction, our board-certified body contouring experts at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery in Richmond can help restore a balanced, attractive physique and peace of mind.

Revision breast lift

After their primary breast lift surgery, some women may experience changes in their breasts that prompt them to pursue a revision. Life events such as weight fluctuations, pregnancy, or aging can all impact the breast skin. The patient may also be dissatisfied with their aesthetic results in terms of scarring or nipple appearance. A revision breast lift is usually less invasive and extensive than the initial mastopexy procedure; however, it can still improve the breast contours, lifting sagging skin for a perkier, more youthful-looking breast profile. Drs. Burton M. Sundin and Reps B. Sundin focus on elegant, nuanced improvements that allow the patient to feel more confident in all styles of clothing and to enjoy enhanced peace of mind regarding their overall health and well-being.

Revision surgery for axillary breast tissue removal

Some women struggle with excess breast tissue that spills over into the underarm region. To treat this concern, surgeons can perform axillary breast tissue removal, reshaping the area to appear slimmer and more balanced. When the woman’s original cosmetic goals are not achieved the first time, Drs. Burton M. Sundin and Reps B. Sundin can perform revision techniques to achieve the patient’s ideal look in bras, swimwear, dresses, and tops. Revision surgery can correct the discomfort of excess axillary breast tissue using a variety of innovative techniques, including liposuction. The surgeons at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery take special care to minimize postoperative scarring by placing incisions in areas where they will be the most inconspicuous and by practicing a conservative approach.

Breast implant revision

While most women are happy after their breast augmentation, some will seek out a revision procedure to address cosmetic or medical issues. Implant surgery sometimes results in complications, which include rippling, rupture, migration, capsular contracture, BII (Breast Implant Illness), and BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma), a type of cancer associated with textured implants. However, sometimes patients just wish to change their implant size or type – or remove their implants altogether so they can enjoy a more natural breast appearance. Our knowledgeable team at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery has the skill and insight to expertly correct any problem that arises as the result of a primary breast augmentation procedure.

Implant removal surgery

Implant removal surgery is often requested in response to implant-related complications, such as capsular contracture, BII (Breast Implant Illness), or BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma). Patients may also wish to undergo breast implant removal due to a change in aesthetic tastes. In order to grasp the scope of the implant removal procedure, it is important to understand that before placing implants in the chest, the surgeon must create capsules, or implant chambers. These internal scar tissue structures help keep the implants in position. Therefore, when removing the implants, the surgeon typically must also address the internal chest capsules. There are three types of procedures that can be performed to remove both the implant and the capsule: total capsulectomy, partial capsulectomy, and en bloc capsulectomy, outlined below:

Total capsulectomy

In this case, your surgeon will remove the implants before excavating and evacuating the capsule material. The superficial surface of the breast pocket is first dissected, after which every remaining piece of the capsule is then carefully extracted.

Partial capsulectomy

With this approach, the surgeon removes the implants and then takes out only a portion of the capsule, leaving the remaining components to be gradually reabsorbed by the body. A partial capsulectomy is considered the least invasive version of the surgery.

En bloc capsulectomy

Here, the surgeon removes both the implants and the capsules at the same time. This approach is more intricate, delicate, and demanding, but it is the recommended option for women suffering from severe implant-related complications such as BII or BIA-ALCL.

Auxiliary procedures after breast implant removal

After breast implants are removed, Drs. Burton M. Sundin and Reps B. Sundin wish to ensure that the patient’s final chest appearance remains natural, balanced, and aesthetically pleasing. For this reason, they may employ additional techniques in tandem with explant surgery, including the following:

Fat transfer: Drs. Burton M. Sundin and Reps B. Sundin may perform fat grafting to create a natural-looking outcome after explant surgery. During a fat transfer procedure, fat cells are extracted from areas of excess, such as the thighs, belly, or hips. The cells are then purified and sterilized before they are injected into the chest region to create soft, feminine contours.
Breast lift surgery: Your surgeon may also perform mastopexy to combat sagging skin in the chest. Once implants are removed, it can often result in breast tissue that no longer appears perky and youthful. Drs. Burton M. Sundin and Reps B. Sundin can trim excess drooping skin and reposition the nipples if needed in order to produce an elegant, flattering outcome after explant surgery.

Breast revision recovery

Recovery after breast revision surgery is usually similar to recovery after the primary procedure. Patients may experience swelling, bruising, and soreness that peaks in the first few days and then gradually diminishes over the course of a few weeks. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and raising the arms over the head should all be avoided for at least six weeks after revision surgery. It is critical that you take the time needed to rest and heal. That being said, most patients can return to work within two weeks, provided that their jobs are sedentary. Make sure to attend all your follow-up visits with our team and follow your postoperative instructions to the letter.

Am I a candidate for breast revision?

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for breast revision surgery is to schedule a private consultation with our team at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery in Tysons Corner, VA. Consultation fees start at $250. During this in-depth initial meeting, your surgeon will assess your skin quality, review your medical history, and listen carefully to your unique concerns. It is important that all candidates for surgery are healthy non-smoking individuals with realistic expectations. It is also essential that the patient has waited at least six months before pursuing revision surgery and that they are completely healed from their primary breast surgery.

Why choose the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery for breast revision in Tysons Corner?

At the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, we provide customized, concierge care for patients in the Richmond, Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, and Washington DC areas. Our primary goal is to help each patient achieve their unique vision of a beautiful, balanced appearance that supports their overall health and well-being. Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin are both board-certified plastic surgeons with elite Fellowship training and decades of expertise. They utilize the latest in groundbreaking technology to provide exceptional results and a seamless patient experience. Our office is staffed by skilled, compassionate team members who are committed to patient safety and success. Call today to learn more about how a breast revision procedure can restore your appearance – and your confidence.