Breast Implant Revision Surgery St. Louis

Dr. Cabbabe is a breast specialist and a large portion of his practice involves breast implant revision surgery from other plastic surgeons. Women may seek breast implant revision surgery for many reasons: a change in size is desired, rupture of an implant, deflation of an implant, capsular contractures, droopiness of the breasts over the implant, displacement of the implants, double bubbles, rippling over the implants.

In cases of capsular contracture or silicone implant rupture, Dr. Cabbabe believes that most patients need their breast capsules removed. These are thick and irregularly scarred capsules that oftentimes prevent the breast from being naturally soft and pliable. If a previous implant was placed above the chest muscle (sub-glandular), Dr. Cabbabe makes every effort possible to place the implant below the chest muscle (sub-pectoral). This reduces the risk of capsular contracture, keeps the breast implant in good position and increases the thickness of the tissue over the implant to reduce rippling. If the implant was sub pectoral and out of position, Dr. Cabbabe may make a new sub pectoral pocket (neo-pectoral pocket).

Dr. Cabbabe is an innovator and will formulate a plan with every patient to address their concerns in a financially sensitive manner. While some plastic surgeons will do the minimum necessary to address patient issues, Dr. Cabbabe takes the extra step needed in performing surgery to ensure that the results are natural and long – lasting in order to minimize the need for further revision surgeries down the road.

Dr. Cabbabe may recommend the use of mesh (human skin, pig skin or other synthetic mesh) to keep the implant in the correct position. This is useful in the setting of implants that are sub glandular and need to be converted to a sub muscular position where the concern is that the implant may work its way back into the sub glandular space. This is also helpful in the setting of a sub pectoral capsular contracture where the pocket may be quite wide after capsule removal and the implant has a tendency to want to slip into the armpit. Mesh can also be used to thicken the tissues over the implant to reduce rippling. Fat transfer procedures may also be used to thicken the tissues in this manner or produce more cleavage or address double bubble formation.

Dr. Cabbabe is sensitive to financial concerns and takes every effort possible to see if implant manufacturers may warranty any of the implants or portion of the surgery. He also keeps finances in mind when recommending the need for mesh which can be quite expensive and may have additional risk factors.

The Surgery

Incisions are made based on pre-operative markings and planning. A lift may be incorporated as needed depending on the droopiness of the breast or the location of the nipple – areola. Most of the time the final implant is placed underneath the muscle on the chest. Mesh and fat transfer procedures are done as needed based on the consultation.

Breast implant revision surgery takes around 1 1/2 – 3 hours, depending on the extent of the procedure. Antibiotics are given before and after the procedure, drains are generally incorporated and no massaging is generally recommended. Patients are able to shower the next day and go home in a bra. Early range of motion is done with the arms. Patients will generally follow-up within 1 day to 1 week and then approximately 3-4 weeks later and then in several months. Drains are removed 1-2 weeks after surgery depending on the extent of the procedure.

Nipple sensation and the ability to lactate are usually preserved in these procedures. Women are able to get mammograms after surgery and implants to not interfere with breast cancer detection.

Contact Us to Learn More

Dr. Cabbabe is a highly-skilled, double-board certified plastic surgeon who will develop a surgical plan that’s tailored to your specific needs. If you’re interested in learning more about the procedure, contact our office to schedule your informative consultation today.