Breast Implant Revisionin Minneapolis

Almost any woman who feels dissatisfied with her breast augmentation results or who is having a complication from a previous surgery can be a good candidate for breast implant revision.

Medically speaking, you may be a good candidate if:

• You are fully healed from your original augmentation. Dr. Harrington generally recommends waiting at least 6 to 12 months before pursuing revision, unless a complication requires earlier intervention.
• You are in good overall health. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding disorders or severe cardiac issues may limit surgical safety.
• You are at a healthy, stable weight. Maintaining a stable weight that is close to your ideal body weight helps to minimize complications and optimize final outcomes.
• You do not smoke or are willing to stop. Smoking affects circulation and healing, increasing the risk of complications.
• You have realistic expectations. Understanding what breast augmentation revision can and cannot achieve is essential for a satisfying outcome.

Your consultation is an opportunity to ask any questions you might have, address any concerns and understand more about what to expect from start to finish. During this visit, we will review your medical history, evaluate your current implants and assess breast tissue, skin quality and implant position. We may also review operative notes from your previous surgery, imaging if needed and discuss factors such as implant type, placement and scar tissue.

We will walk you through your customized surgical plan for your revision, explain potential risks and complications and what to expect in terms of recovery, scarring and long-term outcomes. The goal of this visit is to make sure you have all the information you need to make confident, well-informed decisions about your care.

Your recovery experience will depend on how your body responds to surgery, whether you include additional procedures and the exact surgical approach used. In most cases, the recovery process after breast implant replacement is substantially quicker than the recovery from your initial breast augmentation.

Dr. Harrington may provide you with a special post-surgical garment to wear during the first few days of your recovery in order to minimize swelling. You will need to refrain from strenuous activities for several weeks as your body heals. If you work a desk job with no heavy lifting, you may feel up to returning to work after only 3 to 5 days of recovery.

It’s important to learn about the possible risks of breast implant revision surgery before your procedure. Dr. Harrington will discuss potential complications with you during your consultation. If you notice any sudden swelling in one of your breasts with increased pain, notify our office immediately.

Although individual experiences vary, most women can see their final results from breast implant revision within 4 to 6 months, once swelling has fully resolved and the implants have settled into place. Early improvements are often noticeable within the first few weeks, particularly if the revision addressed issues like asymmetry, capsular contracture or implant malposition.

As healing progresses, your breasts should take on a smoother, more balanced shape that better reflects your goals. Revision results can be very long-lasting, although implants are not considered lifetime devices. This means you may require additional surgery at some point in the future, depending on the specifics of your unique situation.