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What Are Your Options for Breast Reconstruction Revision Surgery?
Embracing Your Journey Toward Confidence and Comfort
After facing the challenges of breast cancer, many women look forward to feeling truly at home in their bodies once again. One of the ways we help our patients do so is through breast reconstruction surgery. Sometimes, getting the result you envision in your head means undergoing more than one surgery, what we call a breast reconstruction revision.
"Breast reconstruction is a step toward healing and regaining confidence, but sometimes, that initial surgery isn’t the end of the journey," explains Dr. Robert Nevitt III, a double board certified surgeon at The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction. “Every woman deserves to feel comfortable and confident in her own skin, and for some, that means considering a revision.”
Breast reconstruction revision can be an empowering choice for those seeking to address changes over time—whether it’s refining aesthetics, alleviating discomfort, or simply embracing a new vision for themselves.
"The reasons are personal and varied, but at the heart of it all, it's about helping each woman feel her best,” Dr. Nevitt adds.
Why Choose Breast Reconstruction Revision?
The decision to revisit breast reconstruction is deeply personal. While some women may find that their initial surgery no longer aligns with their goals, others experience discomfort or changes in their reconstructed breast shape over time. As Dr. Nevitt explains, “Healing is complex, and as time passes, it’s natural for a woman to want to fine-tune how her body looks and feels. Revision surgery gives her that choice.”
Whether you’re looking to enhance symmetry, adjust implant placement, or even explore an entirely new approach, revision surgery offers a way to support your evolving journey of self-empowerment and healing after breast cancer.
Customized Options for Breast Reconstruction Revision
Just as every woman’s breast cancer journey is unique, so is the path to healing. With this in mind, Dr. Nevitt and our team provide a range of options tailored to meet individual needs, because every revision deserves the same dedication as the initial surgery. You have several options, and the right one for you will depend on your individual goals and circumstances.
Explant Surgery
For women who decide that implants are no longer right for them, explant surgery offers an option for removal. Dr. Nevitt shares, "We see women who, after years of living with implants, feel they’re ready to make a change. Sometimes, it’s about comfort; other times, it’s about health."
Explant surgery may be ideal for:
- Women experiencing implant leaks or ruptures
- Those with chronic pain or symptoms related to breast implant illness
- Patients who feel implants no longer match their vision for themselves
Dr. Nevitt often performs this procedure using the en bloc technique, carefully removing the implant and surrounding tissue as one unit. "This approach provides reassurance, particularly for those with health concerns, as it reduces complications and ensures thorough removal of implant-related tissue," he explains.
Implant-Based Reconstruction
For those who choose to keep implants but desire adjustments, implant-based revision options provide flexibility. "We can tailor these revisions in so many ways—whether it’s a subtle change or a more significant adjustment," Dr. Nevitt notes.
Common revision options include:
- Switching implant size or type for a more harmonious look
- Correcting positioning issues
- Treating conditions like capsular contracture
- Enhancing symmetry to bring balance and confidence
Each adjustment can make a world of difference in both appearance and comfort.
Flap-Based Reconstruction
Flap-based reconstruction revision utilizes the patient's own tissue to refine or recreate the breast mound, providing an alternative for women seeking a more natural feel or wanting to move away from implants altogether. "For some women, using their own tissue to create or refine the breast feels like a fresh start," Dr. Nevitt says.This approach is particularly beneficial for:
- Patients dissatisfied with implant-based reconstruction
- Those who have experienced implant-related complications
- Individuals seeking a more natural look and feel
The Institute offers several flap techniques, such as DIEP flap reconstruction and other micro-flap procedures, allowing for personalized care that aligns with each woman’s anatomy and goals.
Correcting Asymmetry and Enhancing Aesthetics
Achieving symmetry and improving the overall aesthetic appearance of the breasts are primary goals in breast reconstruction revision. "Symmetry is such an important part of feeling balanced and whole," Dr. Nevitt explains.
A variety of advanced techniques are used to address asymmetry and enhance the natural look of reconstructed breasts, including:
- Changing the implant size in one or both breasts to achieve better balance
- Fat grafting to strategically add or reduce volume
- Performing a breast lift (mastopexy) on the natural breast to match the reconstructed side
- Fine-tuning flap contours or implant positioning
Each of these techniques is aimed at creating a result that feels natural and true to a woman’s vision of herself.
Expert Care From Our Experienced Surgeons
"Breast reconstruction revision is about listening to what each woman wants and supporting her vision," says Dr. Nevitt.
With years of experience and a compassionate approach, Dr. Nevitt and our team are committed to providing the expertise and care to help women feel confident and comfortable in their own bodies once again.
The Institute specializes in treating complex conditions and staying at the forefront of medical research and innovation. Our expertise extends to revisiting breast reconstruction surgery when desired. Visit our website to learn more about breast reconstruction revision surgery and why patients trust our expertise and precision. If you’re ready to explore breast revision surgery, call 855-980-6981 or request a consultation with Dr. Nevitt today.
