Breast Implant Revision in Fairfield County, Connecticut
Expert breast implant revision surgery in Trumbull and Fairfield County, CT, performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John Reilly.
Is It Time to Update Your Breast Implants?
Breast implants can look and feel great for years, but over time things can change. Breast implant revision at our Connecticut practice is a common next step for women who want to correct a problem or simply get a better result.
Breast implant revision is a procedure that replaces your current implants with new ones. It can also fix issues like hardened scar tissue, implant shifting, size concerns, or visible rippling. Dr. Reilly tailors each revision to the specific changes your body and implants have gone through.
The surgery is performed through an incision, often along the same scar from your first augmentation. Your old implants are removed, any scar tissue is addressed, and new implants are placed in the ideal position.
Find out what a revision can do for you. Book a consultation today.
Breast Implant Revision at a Glance
Typically 1-3 hours
General anesthesia
1-2 weeks
Along existing incision lines
Benefits of Breast Implant Revision
There are many reasons women choose breast implant revision, and the benefits go well beyond a simple swap. Here is what this procedure can do for you.
- Corrected Implant Size or Shape: Switch to a size that better fits your frame, lifestyle, or current preferences.
- Relief From Capsular Contracture: Remove tight, hardened scar tissue and replace the implant in a healthier pocket.
- Upgraded Implant Technology: Move to newer implant styles that offer a more natural look and feel than older models.
- Improved Symmetry and Balance: Even out differences between your breasts for a more balanced, proportional result.
- Fixed Implant Position Issues: Correct implants that have shifted, dropped, or moved apart over time.
- Reduced Rippling or Wrinkling: Address visible implant edges beneath the skin for a smoother contour.
Ideal Candidates for Surgery
Revision surgery is tailored to each patient, and the right candidates typically share specific concerns tied to their current implants. Here is what our surgeon looks for.
Capsular Contracture Symptoms
You feel firmness, tightness, or pain around one or both implants from hardened scar tissue.
Implant Rupture or Slow Leak
Imaging or a change in breast shape suggests your implant shell has broken down or developed a leak.
Unhappy With Current Implant Size
You want to go larger, smaller, or simply adjust the proportions to better fit your body today.
Noticeable Implant Shifting or Dropping
Your implants have moved from their original spot, fallen too low, or spread apart.
Visible Rippling Through the Skin
You can see or feel the edges of your implant beneath thin skin or breast tissue.
Desire to Switch Implant Type or Placement
You want to change from saline to silicone, or move the implant above or below the muscle.
How Breast Implant Revision Reshapes Your Results
Your breast tissue sits over a layer of chest muscle called the pectoralis. An implant can be placed above this muscle, below it, or in a dual-plane position that uses both layers. Over time, your body builds a thin capsule of scar tissue around the implant. Think of it as a natural pocket that forms to hold the implant in place.
When things go well, that capsule stays soft and flexible. However, the capsule can sometimes thicken, tighten, or shift, and the implant inside may follow. This is how problems like capsular contracture, implant dropping, or visible rippling develop. Changes in your skin, weight, or breast tissue can also affect how the implant sits and looks over the years.
During revision surgery, our surgeon opens the breast through the existing incision and removes the old implant. The capsule is then either released, partially removed, or fully taken out based on your specific issue. If the implant pocket needs to be resized or moved to a new position, that adjustment is made before the new implant is placed. The breast is then closed in layers to support a smooth, stable result.
Every revision is different, and the surgical plan is built around what your body needs and the outcome you want.
Revision surgery is about more than just a new implant. I want to fix the root of the problem so you can enjoy your results for years to come, not just months.
What to Expect During a Consultation at Our Connecticut Office
Dr. Reilly will start with a detailed exam of your breasts and a review of your implant history, such as the type, size, placement, and how long they have been in place. He will ask about what concerns you most and what you hope to achieve with revision surgery.
If imaging is needed to check for rupture or changes inside the capsule, that can be arranged during this visit. You will go over every available option together so you feel clear about the path forward.
Our team will walk you through scheduling, pre-op instructions, and what to expect on the day of surgery. The goal is to leave with a solid plan and full confidence in your next steps.
How to Prepare for Your Breast Implant Revision
A little preparation before surgery makes a big difference in how your recovery goes. Here is what Dr. Reilly recommends to get ready.
Supportive Bras
Purchase two or three soft, front-closure bras to wear after surgery while your breasts heal.
Recovery Setup
Arrange a comfortable space at home with extra pillows so you can rest in an elevated position.
Easy Clothing
Set aside button-front or zip-up tops so you can dress without lifting your arms overhead.
New Implant Research
Review the implant size and type options discussed at your consultation so you feel confident in your choice.
Stop Smoking
Quit tobacco at least four weeks before surgery, since it slows healing and raises the risk of complications.
Arrange Help
Plan for someone to drive you home after surgery and assist with daily tasks for the first few days.
Solid preparation helps set you up for a smooth breast implant revision in Connecticut.
Breast Implant Revision Procedure Steps
Breast implant revision follows a precise series of steps designed to address your specific concerns and give you a better result than before. Here is a look at what happens during surgery.
Dr. Reilly will mark the surgical plan on your skin and confirm the details of your procedure while you are still awake. The anesthesia team then places an IV and begins monitoring your vitals. Once general anesthesia takes effect, you fall into a deep sleep and will not feel anything during the surgery. This step makes sure you are safe and fully comfortable before the work begins.
Our surgeon makes an incision along the same scar from your original breast augmentation, which helps avoid new visible marks on your skin. This approach gives direct access to the implant pocket and the capsule that has formed around the old implant. The surrounding breast tissue is carefully protected throughout this process. By working through an existing scar, healing and final appearance are both improved.
The current implant is gently freed from the capsule and eased out through the incision. If the implant has ruptured or leaked, extra steps are taken to clear all material from the pocket. The capsule is then closely examined to determine how much scar tissue needs to be addressed. This evaluation guides the next phase of surgery based on what the tissue looks like inside.
The implant pocket is reshaped, repositioned, or reinforced based on the plan set during your consultation. If the pocket has stretched or shifted, internal sutures are used to tighten it to the right size and location. In some cases, the pocket is moved from above the muscle to below it, or the reverse, to improve your final result. These adjustments are what set revision apart from a simple implant swap.
A new implant is selected based on the measurements taken and the goals you discussed before surgery. The pocket is irrigated with an antibiotic solution to reduce the chance of infection before the implant goes in. The new implant is then carefully positioned, and the surgical team checks for symmetry and shape from several angles. This is where your updated look begins to take form.
The incision is closed in careful layers with internal sutures that support long-term healing beneath the skin. A compression garment or surgical bra is placed over your chest to reduce swelling and hold the implants steady. Small drains may be used if needed to prevent fluid from collecting in the first few days. As you wake up, the care team watches you closely until you are ready to head home.
Revision Techniques
There are several approaches to breast implant revision, and the right one depends on the issue you need to correct. Here is an overview of the most common methods.
Implant Exchange
This is the simplest type of revision. The old implant is removed and a new one is placed in the same pocket. It works well for patients who want a different size or type of implant but have no capsule or pocket issues to address.
Capsulectomy With Replacement
The implant and the surrounding scar tissue capsule are both removed before a new implant is placed. This approach is used for patients with capsular contracture or a thickened capsule that has caused firmness, pain, or shape changes in the breast.
Pocket Conversion
The implant is moved to a different position, such as from above the chest muscle to below it or the reverse. This technique corrects problems like animation deformity, visible rippling, or implant shifting that stem from the original placement location.
Procedures Often Combined With Revision
Many patients choose to pair their revision with another procedure to get a more complete result in a single surgery. Here are the two most common options.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Over time, the breast skin can stretch and the nipple can drop to a lower position. A breast lift removes excess skin and raises the nipple for a firmer, more lifted look. This is often combined with revision when implant changes alone are not enough to restore the shape you want.
Fat Grafting
Fat from another part of your body can be processed and placed around the new implant to smooth out visible edges or add soft tissue coverage. This is a good option for patients with thin skin or little natural breast tissue who deal with rippling. It adds a natural layer of padding without a larger implant.
Recovery Timeline
Recovery from breast implant revision surgery at our Connecticut office depends on the scope of your surgery and whether additional procedures were performed at the same time. Here is a general timeline, though your recovery plan will be tailored to your specific case.
Days 1-3
You will feel tight and sore across your chest as swelling peaks in these first days. Rest, take prescribed medication, and wear your surgical bra at all times.
Days 4-7
Swelling starts to ease, and you may feel well enough to move around the house more freely. Stick to gentle activity and avoid chest or upper arm strain.
Weeks 1-2
Many patients return to desk work and light tasks by the end of this window. Your follow-up visit will check healing and address drain removal if needed.
Weeks 2-4
Bruising fades and your breasts begin to settle into a more natural position as swelling goes down. Light walks are fine, but hold off on chest-focused workouts.
Weeks 4-6
You can typically ease back into moderate exercise and most daily routines by this stage. Our surgeon will clear you for full activity based on your healing.
3-6 Months
Your implants reach their final position as the tissue softens and swelling fully resolves. Follow-up visits help confirm your results are on track.
Dr. Reilly's Recovery Tips
- Wear your surgical bra around the clock
- Sleep on your back while elevated
- Avoid heavy lifting for four weeks
- Take short daily walks to support healing
- Avoid underwire bras for six weeks
Why Choose Dr. Reilly for Breast Implant Revision
Breast implant revision in Connecticut requires a surgeon who can solve problems left behind by a prior surgery, not just repeat the original approach. Dr. Reilly focuses on finding the root cause of each issue and building a plan that delivers lasting results.
Targeted Capsule and Pocket Work
He evaluates every capsule and implant pocket to determine whether a release, full removal, or pocket conversion is needed. This precision helps prevent the same problem from coming back after surgery.
Balanced Size and Shape Outcomes
Our surgeon matches your new implant to your frame, tissue, and goals rather than defaulting to a one-size approach. This means a result that looks proportional and feels right for your body.
Revision-Specific Recovery Support
Revision patients heal differently than first-time augmentation patients, and he accounts for that from day one. Your recovery plan is built around the extra steps your body needs after a more involved surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common reasons include capsular contracture, implant rupture, a desire to change size or type, and implants that have shifted out of place. Some patients also seek revision after changes in their body from aging, weight shifts, or pregnancy.
Most patients report similar or slightly less discomfort compared to their original augmentation. Recovery depends on the scope of the revision, and simpler exchanges tend to heal faster than more involved capsule work.
Yes, one of the most common goals of revision is to go larger, smaller, or switch to a different implant type altogether. Our surgeon will help you choose the best option based on your tissue and frame.
Modern implants are built to last many years, though they are not considered lifetime devices. With proper care and follow-up, most patients enjoy their revision results for a decade or more.
In most cases, the same incision from your first augmentation is reused so no new scars are created. The existing scar may appear slightly wider at first, but it typically fades over the following months.
There is a chance it can return, though techniques like capsulectomy and pocket changes are designed to lower that risk. Our surgeon takes specific steps to reduce the odds of recurrence with each case.
An implant exchange simply swaps one implant for another in the same pocket. Full revision may also involve capsule removal, pocket adjustment, or a breast lift to address more complex concerns.
Light walking is encouraged in the first week, and most patients return to moderate exercise by four to six weeks. Our surgeon will give you the green light for full workouts based on your healing progress.
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