At PRMA Plastic Surgery our board-certified plastic surgeons offer patients the opportunity to have breast reconstruction in two stages. The Revision Stage (stage 2) is typically performed about 3 months after the initial reconstruction as a day surgery (outpatient).
Revision surgery is where our plastic surgeons can fine-tune the reconstructed breast(s) in order to improve the overall cosmetic appearance. This can be done through nipple reconstruction, expander to implant exchange, fat grafting, breast lift surgery, and many other procedures designed to create a natural-looking breast.
What’s Involved in the Second Stage of Surgery?
The exact details of the revision surgery required will be dependent on the type of breast reconstruction the patient had initially, and the final result goal based on the patient’s desires.
Autologous (Flap) Tissue Breast Reconstruction
- Flap revision involves shaping the breast(s) and making them as symmetric as possible in terms of size and shape.
- Possible fat grafting.
- The donor site scar is also revised to minimize its appearance and smooth out “dog ears” as much as possible. Occasionally liposuction can be performed to improve the overall contour of the donor site.
- Nipple reconstruction is also performed at this stage if the patient did not have a nipple-sparing mastectomy.
Staged Implant Breast Reconstruction
- Tissue expanders are removed and replaced with a permanent implant.
- Two types of implants are available: Saline and Silicone.
- Fat grafting.
Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction
- Fat grafting is often performed to help fill in contour defects created by the mastectomy and thickens the fatty layer under the skin. A thicker tissue layer over the implant decreases the visible waves in the implant shell (“rippling”) and greatly improves the final cosmetic results.
How Long is Recovery Process After Second Stage Breast Reconstruction?
The average procedure time is anywhere between 2-4 hours with a recovery period of 1-6 weeks. We recommend avoiding any form of strenuous activity for 6 weeks, but oftentimes light activity can begin after 4 weeks (consult with your doctor).
Most patients report experiencing little to no pain post-operatively thanks to our ERAS protocol. However, patients typically experience a dull ache for a couple of days following the revision stage surgery. Patients are required to wear a supportive bra day and night. Our surgical team will ensure you are informed on how to manage your pain, monitor your progress, and how to properly care for your incisions.
Schedule Your Consultation
At PRMA, we know that deciding to have breast reconstruction is a big step. We want you to feel informed, supported, and confident throughout the whole process. If you would like to learn more about second-stage surgery and review your options with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, please feel free to complete our virtual consultation form today.
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