There are many decisions to be made by women who undergo breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgery, not the least of which is what size of implant to have placed. After completing the surgery, however, some may wonder whether it would have been better for them to have gone bigger. For these Long Island area women, breast revision reconstruction surgery to increase the size of their implants may be an option.
In most cases, revision surgery can be performed months or years later to address aesthetic concerns as well as changes that have occurred in the breasts over time. The board-certified plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery in Huntington, NY are breast reconstruction revision experts who work closely with patients to determine whether enough healthy breast tissue and skin are available to support larger implants.
As with any breast augmentation procedure, the decision to opt for bigger implants as part of a revision is a highly personal one that requires careful consideration. Before moving forward, think about your individual aesthetic preferences and needs. Ask yourself whether you will feel more comfortable about your body with enhanced breasts. If you are confident that having larger breasts will help boost your self-esteem, you may feel more at ease with your decision to proceed with surgery.
Attending your consultation
Long Island patients who wish to increase the size of their implants following breast reconstruction are encouraged to schedule a consultation with the knowledgeable and experienced plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery. During this important appointment, a physical exam will be performed to evaluate the condition of the existing breast tissue. Patients will be able to discuss the reasons they wish to undergo augmentation and share their desired results. After determining whether it is possible to place larger implants, our board-certified plastic surgeons will explain the benefits and limitations associated with the surgery. They also will make before-and-after photos available for viewing, which often helps patients to visualize their potential outcomes. If a patient decides to move forward with the surgery, our surgeons will recommend styles and sizes of implants as well as detail which surgical techniques may be employed to achieve excellent results.
Are you a candidate for breast revision surgery?
Numerous factors go into determining whether a Long Island area woman is a good candidate for a breast revision reconstruction. In general, a patient may be displeased with the size, shape, or appearance of their implants or concerned about the condition or structural integrity of their devices. The patient must be a nonsmoker who is in good health overall and able to maintain a stable weight. As with any cosmetic procedure, it is important to be able to set and maintain realistic expectations for the surgery as well as its potential outcome.
Will you be able to go bigger?
In most cases, women who have had breast reconstruction can opt for bigger implants. This adjustment may require the use of a tissue expander in order to enlarge the space that will receive the larger implant. However, if the breast skin is thin, particularly in areas below the nipple, the addition of larger implants ultimately may be detrimental to the tissue. Also, patients who underwent radiation therapy as part of their breast cancer treatment may not be suited to receive larger implants, as the quality of the breast skin may be compromised. Meanwhile, implants that are placed in areas that have received radiation therapy may be more prone to experiencing capsular contracture, a painful condition that causes scar tissue surrounding the implant to harden and contract the device.
Does size matter?
Like breast implants themselves, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. For some Long Island area patients, the size of their implants is not a concern. However, for most women, breast size can have a big impact on their sense of self-esteem. Whether they’re smaller than they’d prefer or so large that they’ve proven problematic, breast size can play a sizeable role in how a woman perceives herself. Larger, more shapely breasts have the potential to positively affect one’s self-confidence. The decision for augmentation following breast reconstruction should be made solely by the patient, and not influenced or determined by the perceptions or desires of others.
Does bigger equal better?
Before undergoing breast augmentation, it is important that patients understand how their enhanced bustline may affect their physical appearance, as well as their self-esteem. When the breasts size is increased, there is the possibility that they may look disproportionate to the body, which may draw unwanted attention from others and cause women to feel self-conscious about their appearance. In some cases, larger breasts can produce physical symptoms such as back, neck and shoulder pain. All of these concerns can be discussed during your consultation with the board-certified plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery in Huntington, NY.
Recovering from your procedure
The timeline for recovery from breast augmentation surgery varies from patient to patient. In general, it can take patients about six weeks to fully recover. You may feel discomfort for as much as a week following surgery, which may be alleviated with prescribed pain medications. Recovery bras, designed to provide comfort, slight compression, and stability for the implants, can be worn to reduce pain and speed the healing process. You may be advised by your plastic surgeon at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery to return to your daily activities and light exercise after this time. However, patients whose jobs are labor-intensive may not be able to report back to work for several weeks. Be sure to follow all after-care instructions closely so that the implants can heal and settle into position properly, and complications may be avoided. Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments so that the progress of your recovery can be closely monitored.
With breast revision reconstruction surgery, it is possible to increase the size of your breasts following reconstruction with the placement of larger implants. Contact the board-certified plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery in Huntington, NY to learn whether you are a candidate for this transformative procedure.
