Breast Augmentation Revision for Larger Implants
When it comes to performing breast augmentation procedures, our surgeons at Jefferson Plastic Surgery in Philadelphia, PA go the extra mile to satisfy every patient. In some cases, this may actually mean performing augmentation revision to enlarge the size of the implants, in order to help our patients meet their breast augmentation goals. Why might these patients wish to undergo a second breast augmentation procedure to change to larger breast implants?
Improving on Final Results from First Surgery
Our surgeons caution patients that they may not see the final results from their augmentation procedure until anywhere from three to four months following surgery. Furthermore, the breasts will be swollen during the initial healing phase, as the body attempts to repair itself. Therefore, the size of the breasts for those first few months may not be an accurate reflection of their final size when they are fully healed.
Some patients may find that their initial impression of the size of their breasts is not maintained once all the swelling is gone, so they may wish to undergo a revision procedure to increase the size of their implants and meet their initial goals from the procedure.
Changing the Look and Feel of the Breasts
Some of our patients are looking for a specific shape and feel to their breasts. There is a distinct difference between the shape and feel of silicone versus saline breast implants. Silicone implants tend to provide a softer feel and a less rounded look than saline implants. This is because silicone implants cannot be adjusted in size, as they are pre-filled before being placed.
In comparison, saline implants, which are placed in the chest before being filled to the desired size, have a firmer appearance and rounder feel. Some of our patients who initially had silicone implants may opt for larger saline implants because they want a fuller, firmer appearance to their breasts, particularly in the top half (sometimes referred to as the top pole).
Keeping Things in Proportion
In some cases, our patients are not only looking to increase the size of their breast implants, but also the profile of their implants (the ratio of the implants’ circumference to their height). For example, implants with a high profile have more height than width. Conversely, those with a low profile have more width than height.
A patient with a narrow chest will do better with high-profile implants so that the breasts do not look crowded, while low-profile implants work better for patients with a wide chest, in order to provide enough horizontal coverage of the chest.
Some of our patients who opt for larger implants could also benefit from changing implant profiles to keep their larger implants in proper proportion to their frame, given that they are increasing the size of their implants. As just one example, patient with a small frame who changes to larger implants that have a standard profile may also need to switch to a high-profile implant.
There are many factors to consider when selecting which size of implants best suits you. It is important to remember that the overall goal is to select an implant size that not only meets your goals, but also is also uniquely suited to your overall body proportions. Our surgeons can help you determine if switching to larger implants will be a good option for you.