Breast Revision Surgery
Your complete guide and quick links to everything you want to know!
Although most women are able to enjoy the benefits of a well-performed Breast Augmentation for many years, Revision Surgery is sometimes unavoidable for various reasons, among the commonest being:
Capsular Contracture
Capsular Contracture occurs when the normally soft fibrous envelope (called the “capsule”) that forms around every implant, contracts like ‘shrink wrap’ and causes the breast to feel firmer than before.
If the capsule continues to shrink, the breast can change in shape as well as feel firm and tender. Although these changes can create the impression that the implant itself has hardened, in actual fact the implant is as soft as it always was – it is only the ‘capsule’ that has contracted and made the breast feel firmer to the touch.
Treatment involves removing the implant along with its shrunken capsule, reshaping the pocket, and then reinserting the same or another implant.
Implant Rupture and Deflation
Rupture of a Silicone Implant or Deflation of a Saline Implant
Silicone Implants: All modern-day silicone implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel which means that in the event of a wall rupture, the cohesive silicone gel largely stays within the implant walls and the implant does not deflate as would a leaking saline implant.
Saline Implants: Saline implants can also rupture suddenly or deflate slowly due to leakage from their filling valve. In either event, the breast loses its fullness and the escaped saline is simply absorbed by the surrounding tissues without any harmful effects.
A ruptured implant of either type needs to be replaced.
Not uncommonly, some women take this opportunity to replace both implants with a larger size.
Implant Displacement:
(Movement of An Implant Away from its Original Position)
Although an implant will not move far, it can be enough to make the breasts look asymmetrical. Surgery is required to return the implant to its original position.
Requests For Larger Implants
Even in the absence of any problem, some patients seek to have their implants replaced with larger ones simply because they now desire a larger breast size.
The Cost of Breast Revision Surgery
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Breast Revision Surgery
- Surgical Fee:
This will depend on the nature of the Revision Surgery and can only be determined at consultation.
- Additional costs will include Hospital Fee, Anaesthetist Fee and Replacement Implant(s) unless the implants are covered under Warranty.
- Our Plastic Surgeon will provide you with an itemised quotation and total cost once it has been decided what needs to be done, how long it will take, and whether any implants are covered under the Manufacturer’s Warranty.
- Follow-up appointments for up to 6 months are included.
Can I Claim a Medicare or Private Health Insurance Rebate?
Surgical procedures for purely, or primarily, cosmetic reasons are not eligible for a Medicare Rebate.
Depending on the reason for your Revision Surgery, you may be able to claim a partial Medicare Rebate.
If you do qualify for a Medicare Rebate, and you also have Private Hospital Cover, you may be able to also claim a variable portion of your Hospital Fees depending on your Fund and Level of Cover.