A woman’s breasts often represent the cornerstone of her femininity. However, the natural aging process, pregnancies, breastfeeding and genetics can all create breasts that have drooped, lost their youthful contours and deflated. Or perhaps you have undergone prior breast surgeries, with or without implants and now need a revision or tune-up.
Are you a good candidate for a Chicago, IL breast revision surgery? If you need implant replacement or removal, repositioning of one or both breasts, or your breasts are otherwise asymmetrical, book a personalized consultation with Niki Christopoulos, MD FACS – Chicago Plastic Surgeon. She is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in all types of breast and breast revision surgeries and can help you enjoy greater confidence and a more shapely silhouette.
Common Reasons Women Opt For Breast Revision
Breast revision surgery is a procedure intended to correct an unsatisfactory size or shape of the breasts or to correct a previous breast enlargement or reduction surgery. Patients who wish to improve the size, shape, or symmetry of their breasts may see significant improvement after a breast revision surgery. Depending on your goals, this surgery may include the removal, replacement, or initial placement of breast implants. It may or may not include a breast lift or reduction as well.
Some of the benefits that our patients have seen from breast revision surgery include:
- Enhanced breast symmetry and aesthetics
- Improved confidence and self-image
- Clothing and bathing suits fit better
- Quality of life improvement
- Ability to enjoy more physical activities
- Relief from discomfort associated with previous implants or surgical issues
Breast Revision Procedures We Perform
Dr. Christopoulos performs several types of breast revision procedures, including:
- Correcting poor shape: which may happen due to poor surgical techniques from another surgeon or complications from a previous breast surgery
- Capsular Contracture: in which the fibrous tissue around an implant tightens and squeezes it, which makes the breasts overly firm or distorted
- Addressing wrinkling or rippling: can happen when a patient has oversized implants or who do not have enough natural breast tissue to properly cover the implant
- Correcting the size or symmetry: for a more balanced appearance
- Implant shifting: if one or both implants shift from their original position
Your Consultation For Breast Revision Surgery
Niki Christopoulos, MD FACS – Chicago Plastic Surgeon, offers consultations for patients who wish to have a breast revision. When you book your consultation appointment for a Chicago breast revision surgery, you’ll meet directly with Dr. Christopoulos. She will discuss your reasons for a breast revision and ask about the changes you hope to see, such as changing the shape or size of your breasts or balancing out how your breasts look on your frame.
Dr. Christopoulos takes her time with each patient, reviewing the proposed breast revision procedure and providing a realistic overview of the expected results. She and her team will answer your questions and review your medical records, especially if you’re seeking a revision of a previous breast surgery. Our goal is to deliver beautiful, symmetrical, and natural-looking results in a clean and safe environment. Contact us today to book your consultation.
How Long Should You Wait For Breast Revision Surgery?
Revision breast surgery refers to a secondary breast surgery to revise an initial surgery. This can be something as simple as exchanging your implants for a different size, or can be more complex, if you suffer from capsular contracture, implant malposition or other issues. Breast revision surgery can also refer to a breast lift after you previously had undergone a breast reduction in the past.
Dr. Niki Christopoulos, MD FACS, considers several factors to help you determine the right time for breast revision surgery. It is generally recommended to wait at least six months to one year after the initial breast surgery before considering revision surgery. This waiting period allows sufficient time for the body to heal fully and for any post-operative swelling or changes in breast shape to settle. Immediate revision after the initial surgery may lead to complications, such as poor wound healing or increased risk of infection, due to the tissue still being in a delicate state.
Factors To Consider
Surgical Planning and Timing: Revision surgery should be carefully planned, taking into account any anatomical changes or tissue damage that occurred during the initial surgery. Waiting allows for a more accurate assessment of the problems and helps the surgeon to plan the revision with a clear understanding of the issues. Adequate time also helps in selecting the appropriate surgical approach and materials, such as implants or tissue grafts, to correct the issues effectively.
Psychological Readiness: The waiting period also provides an opportunity for patients to mentally and emotionally prepare for the revision surgery. Coping with dissatisfaction or complications from a previous surgery can be challenging, and taking time to consider that the decision for revision surgery is made with a clear, informed mindset is helpful. This period allows for thorough consideration of the desired outcomes and realistic expectations.
Financial and Lifestyle Considerations: Breast revision surgery is often elective and involves additional costs. Patients may need time to manage financial aspects, including potential costs associated with the revision procedure. Additionally, considering lifestyle factors, such as work and personal commitments, is important so that the recovery period from revision surgery does not interfere significantly with daily life.
Why Waiting Is Important
Minimizing Risk of Complications: Waiting allows any complications from the initial surgery to resolve fully, reducing the risk of exacerbating these issues during the revision procedure. Premature revision surgery can lead to increased risks of infection, scarring, or further complications due to the tissues being in a compromised state.
Optimizing Results: Adequate time between surgeries ensures that the tissues are fully healed and stabilized, which contributes to better surgical outcomes. It allows the surgeon to make well-informed decisions regarding the revision approach, leading to more aesthetically pleasing and functional results.
Patient Safety and Well-being: Waiting allows for the patient to be in the best possible physical and emotional state before undergoing another surgical procedure. This approach prioritizes the patient’s overall health and well-being.
Are You Seeking Breast Revision Surgery?
Waiting for breast revision surgery is important so that the body has fully healed from the initial surgery, that any complications are resolved, and that the patient is psychologically and financially prepared. This waiting period helps in minimizing risks, achieving optimal results, and overall safety and well-being. When you consult with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Niki Christopoulos, MD FACS, we can provide personalized recommendations and advise on the timing of the revision surgery.
Disclaimer: Dr. Niki Christopoulos & Christopoulos Plastic Surgery Chicago, IL Please remember that medical information provided by Dr. Niki Christopoulos & Christopoulos Plastic Surgery in the absence of a visit with a health care professional, must be considered as an educational service only. YOUR RESULTS WILL VARY. The information sent through e-mail should not be relied upon as a medical consultation. This mechanism is not designed to replace a physician’s independent judgement about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient. We will do our best to provide you with information that will help you make your own health care decisions. Many external links have been provided on this site as a service and convenience to our patients and other visitors to our website. These external sites are created and maintained by other public and private organizations. We do not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. If you require to find out more please email us on info@christopoulosplasticsurgery.com