Archive for Breast Augmentation

What Is Capsular Contracture and How Can It Be Fixed?

by Kyle Song, MD
October 29th, 2015

Song-Breast-Implant-Capsular-Contracture-When you’ve undergone a breast augmentation procedure, one of the last things you might be thinking about is the possibility of capsular contracture.  However, this is one of the most common problems that occur after getting breast implants – therefore, it’s important for patients to understand the symptoms and risks associated with capsular contracture.

What Is Capsular Contracture?

Capsular contracture occurs when your immune system attacks the breast implants in your body.  Your immune system recognizes the implants as a foreign body; as a result, the white blood cells attack the implants in an effort to protect your body from a perceived threat.  The immune system creates a thin fibrous scar tissue around the implant, which creates a “capsule”.

While this is normal, capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue becomes thick and hard.  As a result, extra pressure is placed on the implant, which can disrupt the shape or cause misalignment.  Additionally, capsular contracture can result in a painful sensation within the chest.

It’s thought that capsular contracture can develop as a result of leaking implants, bacteria, incorrect implant placement, smoking, and/or trauma to the breast.

Total Capsulectomy: The Best Way to Fix It

The most effective treatment for capsular contracture involves removing the hard tissue from the breast, as well as the implant itself.  This procedure is known as a total capsulectomy, as it involves removing the hardened scar tissue that has surrounded the old breast implant.

Additionally, this procedure allows a plastic surgeon to convert the subpectoral pocket, if the breast implant was originally placed subglandular.  In other words, a plastic surgeon will place the breast implant underneath the breast muscle, rather than over it.

New textured implants replace the old ones, which provides a patient with the opportunity to change the implant size.  In some cases, a plastic surgeon may only be able to remove some of the hardened tissue; if this happens, he or she will widen the capsule so it can better accommodate the implant.

There’s an incredibly high success rate with this procedure, which is why it comes so highly recommended.

However, it’s important to note that you’re more likely to experience capsular contracture again, as it can be a chronic condition.  That’s why textured implants should always be used during a total capsulectomy, as it can help decrease the chances of experiencing capsular contracture again.

Capsular Contracture Revision at Song Plastic Surgery

If you think you have capsular contracture, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kyle Song at Song Plastic Surgery in Irvine, California.  Dr. Song can walk you through the process of removing the hardened tissue, as well as replacing the old implants with new and improved ones.

Song Plastic Surgery serves the Orange County area. Call 949-701-4454 for more information.

Categories Breast, Breast Augmentation, Breast Reconstruction
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When Can Revision Be Done After My Breast Augmentation?

by Kyle Song, MD
October 10th, 2015

Song-Breast-AugBreast augmentation is still one of the most popular procedures in the country, and for good reason: a vast majority of patients are incredibly satisfied with the results of their breast implants.  For many women, breast augmentation can help achieve a greater sense of confidence, especially if they have self-esteem issues resulting from the shape or size of their breasts.

For a small minority of patients, however, the results of their breast augmentation procedure may be less than satisfactory.  These patients may find that their breast implants are too large, or may look too “fake”.  Others still may want to remove the breast implants and go back to their natural shape.

So what should you do if you want breast augmentation revision surgery?

Revision Surgery at Song Plastic Surgery

If you consider yourself among the latter group, you don’t have to put up with less-than-stellar implants.  At Song Plastic Surgery in Irvine, California (also serving the greater Orange County area), board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kyle Song can provide corrective plastic surgery for breast augmentation.  No matter what you dislike about your breast implants, Dr. Song can help you achieve the look you’ve been going for all along.

Interested in breast augmentation revision surgery?  Here’s how the process works:

  • During your consultation, you’ll discuss your previous breast augmentation surgery with Dr. Song. Be sure to be specific with what you dislike about your breast implants.
  • You and Dr. Song will decide if you should go back to your original size, or get new breast implants that will achieve your desired result. If you want to remove your implants but still want a fuller look, Dr. Song may recommend undergoing a breast lift procedure.
  • Based on the results of your consultation, Dr. Song will perform the revision surgery. Old implants are removed, as well as scar tissue that may have developed over time.  New implants can be placed under the breast muscle, or Dr. Song will perform a breast lift procedure.

Ideally, you should wait at least six months after your last breast augmentation procedure before undergoing revision surgery at Song Plastic Surgery.

Contact Song Plastic Surgery

If you’re interested in revision surgery, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kyle Song at Song Plastic Surgery in Irvine, California.  Song Plastic Surgery serves the greater Orange County area. Call 949-701-4454 for more information.

Categories Breast, Breast Augmentation
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Fat Transfer vs. Breast Implant Augmentation? Which one is a more effective means of enlargement?

by Kyle Song, MD
April 4th, 2015

Edited_BreastBreast augmentation using autologous fat transfer is generally considered a more natural alternative to synthetic breast implants. Fat transfer is slowly gaining acceptance in the US, and clinical studies examining the safety and efficacy are ongoing.

In terms of effectiveness, there has been some concern about the consistency of the results obtained with fat transfer. With breast implants, you can choose the shape and size implant you want, and based on your selection, the final size is assured.

However consistency is not guaranteed with fat transfer, because portions of the transferred fat will be reabsorbed by the body. Since this can occur, it’s difficult to determine the exact degree of enlargement that will take place.

Knowing this, some surgeons choose to add more fat than they think they need. However this can cause other problems, since it’s not possible to predict how much fat will survive. If too much fat is injected and most of it survives, the results will not be uniform. In some cases patients complain that their breasts look lumpy and uneven after fat transfer, and this is often the reason why.

If you are considering fat transfer for breast augmentation, consult a board certified plastic surgeon experienced with both techniques. Very often the result of surgery depends on the skill and experience of the surgeon. During consultation your surgeon will review the pros and cons of both methods, and arrive at a decision based on your aesthetic goals.

As you can see, there are so many benefits to choosing implants over a fat transfer breast augmentation surgery. If you have any additional questions about these procedures, schedule a breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Kyle Song at Song Plastic Surgery in Irvine, California. Call (949) 701-4454 for more information.

Categories Breast, Breast Augmentation
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