Breast Revision Surgery
Refine, correct or restore your results with a personalized approach to breast revision surgery.
Restore Balance After Previous Breast Surgery
Breast revision surgery is not always about correcting a mistake. In many cases, it is about addressing how the body has changed over time or refining results to better match your goals.
Implants age. Tissue changes. Preferences evolve.
Dr. Tyler Frew approaches breast revision by identifying what has changed structurally, then creating a plan to restore balance, comfort and a more natural appearance.
Some patients require a combination approach, especially when both volume loss and sagging are present. In these cases, revision may involve techniques similar to a breast augmentation with lift to restore both fullness and position.
Why Patients Consider Breast Revision
Breast revision is typically considered when something has changed, feels off, or no longer aligns with your goals.
Patients seek revision for different reasons, but most fall into one of three categories:
- Something has changed over time
- Something does not feel right
- Or their goals have evolved
This may include changes in shape, implant position, firmness or overall proportion.
Rather than applying a standard solution, Dr. Frew evaluates the underlying cause and builds a surgical plan around what your anatomy needs now.
A More Complex, Personalized Procedure
Breast revision is often more complex than primary breast surgery.
It may involve:
- Implant exchange or removal
- Scar tissue (capsule) management
- Pocket reconstruction or repositioning
- Reshaping of the breast tissue
- Correction of asymmetry or implant malposition
Each revision is different. The goal is not just to change the implant, but to restore structure and improve how the breast looks and feels.
Common Reasons for Breast Revision
Breast revision addresses a range of concerns, from structural changes to personal preferences that evolve over time.
- Capsular Contracture – Scar tissue around the implant tightens, causing firmness, distortion, or discomfort. Revision involves releasing or removing the capsule and restoring a healthier implant environment.
- Implant Malposition – The implant may sit too low, too high, or shift toward the center or side of the chest. Correction focuses on rebuilding and controlling the implant pocket.
- Implant Rupture – Saline implants deflate visibly, while silicone ruptures are often silent. Revision removes and replaces the implant while restoring shape and symmetry.
- Rippling or Visible Edges – More common in patients with thinner tissue. This can often be improved by changing implant type, placement or adding support.
- Asymmetry – Differences in size, shape or position may develop over time. Revision reshapes the breast and adjusts implant positioning for better balance. In some cases, changes in breast position over time may also contribute to imbalance, which can overlap with concerns typically addressed during a breast lift.
- Desire to Change Size or Look – Many patients simply want a different size or a more natural appearance. Revision allows you to refine your results based on your current goals. For some patients, this may involve adjusting implant size or profile, similar to decisions made during primary breast augmentation.
Each of these concerns requires a tailored approach to restore balance, improve comfort, and create a result that feels right for you.
Restoring Structure, Not Just Replacing Implants
A successful revision is not just about switching implants.
Dr. Frew focuses on:
- Rebuilding internal support
- Improving tissue balance
- Selecting implants that fit your anatomy
- Creating a result that looks natural over time
This approach helps reduce the risk of recurring issues and supports long-term stability.
Breast Revision Before and After Results
Who Is a Candidate for Breast Revision?
Candidacy for breast revision depends on both what you’re experiencing and what is happening structurally within the breast.
You may be a candidate if you are experiencing:
- Capsular contracture or firmness
- Implant rupture or aging implants
- Rippling or visible implant edges
- Implant malposition
- Asymmetry or shape changes
- Discomfort or tightness
- A desire to change size or implant type
The key is not just what you see, but what is happening beneath the surface.
What to Expect During Recovery
Recovery depends on the complexity of your revision.
Most patients can expect:
- Light activity within 1 to 2 weeks
- Gradual improvement in swelling over several weeks
- Softening and settling over 2 to 3 months
More complex revisions may require a longer healing period.
Advanced Light Therapy for Recovery
To support healing after breast revision, medical-grade light therapy is incorporated into your recovery plan.
Targeted wavelengths help reduce inflammation, improve circulation and support tissue repair following procedures such as implant exchange, capsulectomy or pocket reconstruction.
Sessions are brief, comfortable and tailored to your specific procedure and healing timeline.
A Thoughtful, Individualized Approach
Breast revision is about restoring confidence in how your body looks and feels. It begins with understanding what has changed, whether that is related to the implant, the surrounding tissue or your personal goals over time.
Whether you are addressing a complication or simply refining your results, the goal is to create a balanced, natural outcome that aligns with your current anatomy and goals. Every decision is made with long-term shape, comfort and proportion in mind.
Breast Revision FAQs
What is breast revision surgery?
Breast revision surgery is a procedure that corrects or improves the results of a previous breast augmentation or breast surgery. It can address complications such as capsular contracture, rupture, rippling, or malposition, or simply refine size and shape to better match your current goals.
Why do women choose breast revision?
Women choose breast revision for many reasons, including discomfort, visible changes in implant position, firmness from scar tissue, or a desire to change implant size or remove implants altogether. Large series show that capsular contracture, implant malposition, and aesthetic concerns are among the most common reasons for revision.
When should I consider breast revision surgery?
You may want to consider revision if your breasts no longer look or feel the way you want, if you notice changes in shape or size, or if you develop firmness, pain, or visible distortion. An in person exam and imaging when needed help determine whether a revision can improve comfort, aesthetics, or both.
How soon after my first breast surgery can I have a revision?
In most cases, surgeons recommend waiting at least six months to one year after your initial surgery before planning an elective revision so that swelling can resolve and the implants can fully settle. If you have a serious complication such as infection or confirmed rupture, earlier intervention may be appropriate.
What problems can breast revision correct?
Breast revision can address capsular contracture, implant rupture, rippling, implant malposition, bottoming out, symmastia, asymmetry and size concerns. Studies on implant based surgery show that these are the primary long term complications that may lead to reoperation or revision.
Can breast revision improve sagging or asymmetry?
Yes. Breast revision often includes pocket adjustments, implant exchange, or combining revision with a breast lift to improve sagging or unevenness. Careful planning can restore more youthful position and symmetry while maintaining natural proportions.
How do I know if I need breast revision or a breast lift instead?
If your main concern is implant related, such as firmness, rippling, or size, revision may be the right option. If your nipples sit low on the breast, or the breast tissue sags over the implant, a lift with or without implant adjustment may be recommended. In many cases, Dr. Frew combines a lift and revision to address both shape and support.
Do I have to change my implants during revision?
Not always. Some revisions focus on adjusting the implant pocket, releasing scar tissue, or lifting the breast without changing the implant itself. However, research shows that when capsular contracture or rupture is present, exchanging the implant at the same time as capsule surgery helps reduce the risk of recurrent problems.
Can I change the size of my implants during revision?
Yes. Many patients use revision surgery as an opportunity to go larger or smaller, or to choose a different implant profile for a more proportionate look. Long term follow up data show that a portion of revisions are driven by patient preference rather than complications, and size change is a common request.
What is capsular contracture and how is it treated?
Capsular contracture happens when the scar tissue around an implant tightens and becomes thick, which can cause firmness, distortion, or discomfort. Current evidence supports capsulectomy or capsulotomy combined with implant exchange and often a change in pocket plane as the most effective treatment to improve shape and reduce recurrence.
Can I change the size of my implants during revision?
Yes, many patients take the opportunity to go larger, smaller, or switch to a different implant type or shape.
What is capsular contracture and how is it treated?
Capsular contracture is scar tissue tightening around the implant, causing firmness or pain. Treatment may involve capsulectomy (removal of scar tissue) with implant replacement.
What about loose skin?
If your skin has stretched over time or after weight changes and implant removal or downsizing is planned, loose skin can become more noticeable. In these situations, revision may be combined with a breast lift or skin tightening pattern to restore a more lifted, youthful contour.
Will there be new scars?
Breast revision often uses existing incisions when possible, but additional or extended incisions may be needed for capsular work, pocket changes, or lifting the breast. Studies of revision and reconstructive procedures show that scar quality usually improves over time with proper technique and aftercare.
What if Dr. Frew was not my original surgeon?
You do not need to return to your original surgeon for revision. Dr. Frew frequently evaluates patients who had surgery elsewhere, reviews their prior operative history when available and designs a revision strategy tailored to their current anatomy and goals. A fresh perspective can be especially helpful when addressing long standing issues.
Elite Surgical Skill in Breast & Body Aesthetics
Dr. Tyler Frew is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in aesthetic surgery of the breast and body.
He is known for delivering natural-looking results through advanced techniques in breast enhancement, tummy tuck, liposuction, and mommy makeover procedures.
Dr. Frew combines surgical expertise with compassionate, patient-focused care, helping each individual restore confidence and achieve their personal aesthetic goals.
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The Balikian Experience
Patients trust Dr. Tyler Frew for his warm, personalized approach, advanced surgical techniques and results that look natural and refined.
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