Dr. Michelle Spring and Dr. Michael Hromadka are both board-certified, highly trained, and experienced plastic surgeons. Kristy Ehrmantraut PA-C, Surgical Physician Assistant for the practice, assists the surgeons in the OR and follows post-operative patient care in the office, allowing for better patient service and continuity of care. They provide personalized care that is tailored to the unique concerns of each patient, and use their expertise to create results that look natural. Our providers believe taking the time to truly understand their patients' goals is the key to not only meeting, but exceeding their expectations.
Mountain West Plastic Surgery
60 Four Mile Drive #11
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 609-0210
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Breast Augmentation Revision
In Kalispell, MT, women consider breast augmentation revision surgery for a variety of reasons. Some have second thoughts about the size of their breast implants. Other women need to exchange older silicone implants or have a saline implant deflation. Over time, a woman’s breasts change due to weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, and she may want to exchange her breast implants with or without a breast lift. We also correct for (rare) complications from a patient’s initial breast augmentation; we consult with women from Missoula, Whitefish, and all over Montana and surrounding states to discuss options.
If you are thinking about replacing or removing your breast implants, contact our Kalispell office at (406) 609-0210 to schedule an appointment with either Dr. Michelle Spring or Dr. Michael Hromadka. Or you can request a consultation using the online form. Women travel here for revision breast augmentation from Bozeman, Helena, and Flathead Valley, MT, because of our surgeons’ expertise and beautiful results.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation Revision
A revision procedure can either correct issues related to complications that occur following your primary breast augmentation surgery or produce results that are better suited to your aesthetic goals. It also provides patients with the opportunity to exchange older saline implants for the latest cohesive silicone gel implants, if desired.
It’s important to remember, though, that the final results of a breast augmentation procedure typically take several months to appear. Additionally, if your initial augmentation surgery was less than 6 months ago, it’s best to wait before considering a revision procedure, so that your body has had ample time to recover before undergoing another surgery.
“[Dr. Spring] is amazing. I had seen 4 other doctors before her, and she was by far the kindest, most knowledgeable, and realistic. I AM SO HAPPY I chose her, and could not be happier with my results!”
– Happygirl75, RealSelf user
Reasons for Breast Implant Revision
Most women with breast implants say they are very satisfied with the results of their breast augmentation procedures. But implants are not designed to be lifetime devices — and at some point, those implants will need to be exchanged or removed, even if a woman has been consistently happy with her results.
Elective implant exchange is one of the most common reasons for breast augmentation revision surgery. These are a few of the others:
Capsular Contracture
The most common complication following breast augmentation surgery is capsular contracture. This occurs when the scar tissue that naturally forms around the implant begins hardening, squeezing the implant enough to distort its shape or position. When this happens, our surgeons use the same incision as with the original implants, make the necessary surgical corrections, and then insert new implants.
Visible Rippling
Saline breast implants can develop visible rippling or wrinkling, especially when patients have little existing breast tissue and the implant is placed above the chest muscle. This can be corrected by switching to a cohesive gel implant or placing implants behind the muscle, which can help camouflage the implant’s surface.
Other Visible Distortions
This often occurs if an inexperienced surgeon doesn’t plan or execute the original breast augmentation properly. Besides visible rippling, other visible concerns include:
- Symmastia (sometimes called “bread-loafing” or “uniboob”) occurs when the implants sit too close together.
- “Double-bubble” deformity creates the appearance of 2 breast folds when implants drop too low in the breast.
- Implants sit too high or too far to the sides, creating an unnatural look.
Our surgeons repair or re-create the implant pocket during revision surgery to correct the implants’ position.
Deflated Implant
If a saline implant leaks, it deflates almost immediately. This understandably can be upsetting, but the fluid is naturally absorbed by the body without posing any risk. A cohesive silicone gel implant that ruptures or cracks is often not noticeable until an imaging test reveals the flaw. Because it’s cohesive, the silicone gel doesn’t leak. In a case like this, our surgeons can exchange the implants or remove them.
We are the only practice in the area to offer the VECTRA® 3D Imaging System to our patients. The advanced VECTRA system provides a realistic preview of potential results of breast enhancement, body contouring, and facial rejuvenation procedures.
Breast Augmentation Revision Procedure
Because revision surgery is more complex than an initial breast augmentation procedure, it involves specific expertise in surgical techniques. At Mountain West Plastic Surgery, both Drs. Spring and Hromadka have the advanced training needed to produce successful outcomes and correct unsatisfactory results.
The specific nature of your revision surgery depends on the reason for having the procedure, but it will generally involve one or more of these approaches:
- Changing the placement of the implants. In many cases, the visible rippling that occurs when an implant is placed above the muscle can be corrected by inserting the implants behind the muscle (called submuscular placement). Research also shows there is less risk of developing capsular contracture with a submuscular placement.
- Using internal sutures to repair implant pockets. Our surgeons may combine these sutures with an acellular dermal matrix to create additional support for the implant and maintain the desired location and shape.
- Lifting the breasts. If you are replacing older implants, there may be some changes to the shape and perkiness of the breasts that occur naturally with age, and a lift will help the new implants sit at a nice position on the chest.
Revision Breast Surgery Recovery
The healing process following breast implant revision surgery is similar to the primary breast augmentation procedure. Depending on the nature or extent of the complications addressed during the surgery, recovery may take a bit longer than what you experienced the first time around. Our surgeons discuss any unique circumstances involving your recovery during the consultation.