Breast Revision

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County, CA

Breast Revision

We have done hundreds of revisions of other plastic surgeons’ work. Breast augmentation using implants is one of the most effective cosmetic procedures in America, and in most cases, it yields terrific outcomes.

Before and After Photos

About Breast Revision

Dr. Francisco CanalesDr. Heather Furnas, and Dr. Culbertson are the leading breast revision plastic surgeons in Northern California.

Unfortunately, sometimes the final result is not what the patient desired or she may have had complications during the initial treatment.  Not all revision treatments are because of practitioner error. While few breast augmentations do end with an unpleasing outcome, there are individuals who wish to have a larger or smaller implant while some may have a visible irregularity and would like to have the implant corrected or removed altogether. Furthermore, some women must have revision treatment for a particular medical condition. Santa Rosa, CA plastic surgeons Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson offer breast revision surgery after giving an in-depth exam at Plastic Surgery Associates of Santa Rosa so that the right outcome is attained.

Ideal Candidates

Breast Reduction

Learn About Breast Revision In Northern California.

Here’s a look at who is the ideal candidate for our breast revision in Northern California. 

Should you have any concerns (either medical or aesthetic) after breast augmentation surgery, please make a consultative appointment with Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson to go over your wants and needs and to develop your personalized plan for breast revision surgery. Whether it’s scar tissue, drooping or sagging, ripples under the skin, or unbalanced breasts, revision surgery can help correct the problem and result in a more normal and properly functioning outcome. This operation may also be appropriate if you are wanting to alter the implant style, size, or address another aspect of your breasts.

How It Works

Surgical Technique

Breast Reduction

Discover the techniques we use to help our clients find relief with a breast reduction in Northern California. 

Surgical breast reduction is an outpatient process and is conducted with the patient under general anesthesia. The timing of surgery depends on several factors, including the complexity of the incision, the general reduction technique, and finally, how much reduction is required. The areola and nipple area repositioning is also a factor. For most patients, liposuction is necessary for fat and tissue elimination to reduce the breast size. During the private consultation, all of these aspects are addressed with Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson. Scarring is also scrupulously examined and talked through as it is likely to occur. However, surgical skill and advanced techniques have led to a noticeable reduction in the visibility of scarring. Based on the intricacy of the size and overall reduction, either an inverted-T or a straight line (vertical) incision will be incorporated. Breast fat and tissue will then be removed, and the existing skin and tissue will be pulled tight and secured.

Common Reasons For Revision

Breast Augmentation

Breast revision in Northern California either removes an implant that is not functioning properly or is no longer desired. Breast revision surgery may also be performed to change implant size or go from an implant to a fat transfer (or vice versa). There are other common situations where revision surgery is desired or required:

Asymmetry

This condition occurs when the implants look disproportionate. This may be due to an incorrect size implant, or ptosis on one side, or a different condition that may cause asymmetry. A proper diagnosis would need to take place to determine what is leading to the asymmetry, then a revision surgery would be needed to resolve the problem, and finally, a new set of breast implants would be positioned to create a symmetrical result.

Bottoming Out

This is a problem that happens if one or both implants “bottom out” or drop too low. Sometimes this is a case of a positioning error from the original surgery. To modify this, a different placement approach may be needed. For some patients, tissue grafting most likely will be needed, in addition to a surgically formed pocket to hold the new implant. For many patients, going to a silicone breast implant usually will solve this issue.

Breast Size

Sometimes a secondary breast surgery is as straightforward as getting a smaller or larger sized breast implant. During the first surgery, you may have opted to go too conservative or gone a bit too large. A different implant size can be used to reach the desired outcome.

Capsular Contracture

This is known as scar tissue hardening, occurring when the delicate tissue that surrounds the saline or silicone implant becomes thick and hard. Although many implant surgeries do create some internal scar tissue, most women will never see or feel it. In some cases, the hardening tissue could interfere with implant placement, which can change the breast shape and implant functionality and deliver an undesirable outcome. Capsular contracture surgery to remove scarring would be recommended.

Implant Rippling

This condition occurs when you see obvious rippling and wrinkles under the skin. This irregularity typically forms just along the edging of the implant. Rippling is generally found in patients who are of low body weight. Many times, this issue can be fixed by simply switching to a silicone breast implant.

Implant Rupture

Even though this is rare, breast implant rupture can possibly occur. When a saline implant type ruptures, the implant will deflate almost immediately. For this reason, a visible change will be noticeable. Meanwhile, if the implant is silicone based and ruptures, it is only seen via an MRI. Whether silicone or saline, when a rupture occurs, a revision procedure will be required.

Symmastia

Symmastia is a condition that takes place when breast implants are inserted and placed too closely together. Most often, this is because the breast implant used was the incorrect shape and width. A revision treatment will repair this problem by selecting an implant that fits your frame and looks pleasing to the eye.

What to Expect

Here’s what to expect when you undergo a breast revision treatment in Northern California. 

After the Treatment

Following your consultation, an individual plan for your revision is made. After your procedure and a brief observation period, you can go home to begin your recovery. Recovery from a revision surgery varies, depending on what is involved in your surgery. Revision surgery that warrants complex revision techniques will need a longer recovery that could possibly last up to 6 – 8 weeks.

Results

You should slowly start to see your surgical results when the bruising and swelling starts to disappear. Leading plastic surgeons in Northern California, Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson will discuss what should be expected while you recover, plus recommendations to help you heal faster. You should go to follow-up visits as often as directed so we can monitor your healing and results.

Videos

FAQ

How much does breast revision surgery cost?

Your cost for breast revision surgery will vary based on the complexity of your procedure. In your consultation, we will listen carefully to your needs and goals before completing a physical examination of your implants. After this, we will talk about your choices before creating your treatment plan. The total cost of revision surgery will be based on the complexity of the procedure, plus your new implants. The cost may be higher than your initial surgery, particularly if new implants and support. dermal matrix tissue is needed. It’s better to concentrate on getting great results by finding a skilled plastic surgeon, like Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson, instead of the cheapest surgeon. As a way to help make your surgery affordable, Plastic Surgery Associates of Santa Rosa accepts many different payments, and we will give you information on low-interest financing.

What if Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson weren’t my original surgeon?

Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson can perform your revision surgery even if they were not the surgeon who did your original breast augmentation. Revision surgery is sometimes more difficult compared to augmentation surgery, especially if you want significant changes or have problems, which is why it is best to find a skilled plastic surgeon who has advanced training and experience in breast surgery. Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson also welcome their patients to come back to Plastic Surgery Associates of Santa Rosa for revision surgery after their augmentation surgery if they notice an issue or would like new implants.

Can I breastfeed after a breast reduction?

Reduction surgery can affect breastfeeding. Although some women can still breastfeed after a surgical reduction, other women cannot. It’s difficult to know whether your breast reduction will interfere with breastfeeding. Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson swill review breastfeeding after breast reduction at the time of your consultation.

What about loose skin?

When you are getting your implants exchanged or removed, you may want to have excess skin removed as well. After hearing your goals and evaluating your current implants, Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson can discuss adding a breast lift to remove sagging skin. If you lose a lot of weight, get pregnant, or breastfeed after augmentation surgery, a revision with a lift gives you better results.

Will there be new scars?

When possible, our plastic surgeons will make incisions for revision surgery in the original augmentation incisions. If this isn’t possible, they will place the revision incisions where they are least visible. Revision surgery may use a transaxillary incision (in the armpit), a periareolar incision (along the lower border of the areola), an inframammary incision (beneath the breast fold), or TUBA incision (through the belly button). We will explain scar care instructions so your incisions heal smoothly and blend with your skin.

Do I have to change my implants?

Although implants are long-lasting, they do require replacement eventually. Once you’ve had augmentation surgery, it’s important to get your implants examined at least once a year so Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson can help you determine if your implants need to be exchanged. With frequent advances in medical technology, you may prefer the new implant types and shapes to get a better outcome from breast revision surgery.

Schedule an Appointment

Get the results you always wanted

Revision surgery for breast implants is a specialized procedure tailored for your aesthetic goals by our seasoned plastic surgeons Dr. CanalesDr. Furnas, or Dr. Culbertson. If you notice a visible defect with your breast augmentation results or desire a different result, we invite you to get in touch with our Northern California location in Santa Rosa to make your appointment at Plastic Surgery Associates. There are many factors to consider, and we will perform a full physical assessment, create your revision treatment plan, and discuss realistic outcome expectations.