Mountain West Plastic Surgery
60 Four Mile Drive, Suite 11
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 609-0210
Fax: (406) 609-0211
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Mountain West Plastic Surgery
1111 Baker Avenue
Whitefish, MT 59937
Phone: (406) 609-0210
Fax: (406) 609-0211
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Mountain West Plastic Surgery
30544 Highway 200
Ponderay, ID 83852
Phone: (406) 609-0210
Fax: (406) 609-0211
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
There are many reasons you may be considering replacing your breast implants, such as changing the size or exchanging older saline implants for the latest silicone gel products. Dr. Michelle Spring and Dr. Michael Hromadka perform breast augmentation revision surgery at our practice in Kalispell to create natural-looking results for patients from areas including Whitefish, Missoula, and Great Falls, MT; Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint, ID; and even Calgary.
Even though most women who get breast implants are highly satisfied with the results—breast augmentation has a 97% “worth it” rating on RealSelf.com—revision surgery to either replace or remove implants becomes a consideration at some point. Breast implants are not intended to be lifetime devices.
You may elect to exchange your breast implants for numerous reasons. These include:
Women considering breast augmentation revision surgery travel from Missoula and throughout Montana to Mountain West Plastic Surgery. Most women seek elective implant exchange, and less commonly, others experience some type of complication following breast augmentation surgery that requires revision surgery.
Examples of these complications include:
Capsular contracture: Scar tissue develops around the implant after all breast augmentation procedures. In some cases, however, the tissue hardens and squeezes the implant. This distorts the appearance of the breast and can be painful.
Visible rippling: Some women notice implant rippling or wrinkles on their breasts. This occurs more often with saline implants, especially those placed in front of the chest muscle. Placing the new implants behind the muscle can prevent visible rippling.
Deflated saline implant: If a saline implant leaks, it noticeably deflates, and implant revision surgery is necessary.
Ruptured silicone implant: It can be difficult to know when a silicone implant ruptures—sometimes referred to as a “silent” rupture. An imaging test, such as an MRI or ultrasound, can detect a rupture. Breast pain or changes in the shape of your breast may indicate a rupture.
Symmastia: Often called “uniboob” and also spelled “synmastia,” this complication occurs when the breasts merge together after augmentation surgery.
Some women decide to remove their implants, rather than replace them. This procedure, also called explant surgery, can be elective or due to one of the complications described above. There are different techniques used to remove implants that our surgeons will discuss with you. The procedure is often combined with a breast lift to tighten tissue stretched by the implants.
Your recovery will likely be quite similar to the recovery after your primary breast augmentation procedure. In most cases, our surgeons will use the same incision locations for revision surgery that were used for the initial implant placement.
The combination of surgical skill and decades of experience sets Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka apart from other plastic surgeons not just in Kalispell, but throughout Montana and the Northwest. Assisted by Kristy Ehrmantraut, PA-C, their surgical physician assistant, Dr. Spring and Dr. Hromadka are known for their down-to-earth personalities and for spending the time to truly understand their patients’ goals.
If you’re considering elective breast augmentation revision surgery or need to correct a complication, it’s important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience performing these procedures. To discuss your options with one of our two highly trained plastic surgeons, request a consultation using the online form or call our office at (406) 609-0210 to schedule an appointment.
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