Breast Revision Surgery
Dr. Cohen….why are my breast hard?
One of the main operations that I perform in Beverly Hills at the Lasky Clinic is revision breast surgery. As we all know, breast augmentation surgery is one of the most popular surgeries that we perform. It is not without its inherent risks however.
A capsular contracture is scar tissue that builds around an implant and can happen early in the healing process, (3 months), or happen years later. Many patients come to my practice seeking information about a possible revision. Capsular contracture is the condition that causes constriction of the breast and can at times be very painful. If it is what we call a Grade 4 capsular contracture, (one that is the most extreme), the plan is to re-operate and remove the scar tissue and replace the implant with a new implant. I can never guarantee however that the scar tissue will not just reform. We try and give patients advice on massaging the implant which I do feel helps keep a pocket open and may help prevent a re-encapsulation. Medications such as Vitamin E orally, 1000mg per day have been suggested to help prevent re encapsulation. Also, an anti allergy medication Singular has been helpful per some plastic surgeons experience.
Will insurance cover my surgery?
There are times that insurance will reimburse for a capsulectomy, (removal of hard scar tissue), if the patient has pain. Anything that is deemed reconstructive would be billable to insurance. There is no guarantee they will pay anything for the surgery so we send documentation to your insurance company to see if it is covered. Anything cosmetic.…such as replacing the implant and the implants themselves is the responsibility of the patient, as the insurance companies do not pay for cosmetic procedures.
Why should I go to you Dr. Cohen rather than any other surgeon?
You should always go to a surgeon who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I have been in practice 10 years in the Beverly Hills area and strive to take very good care of all of my patients. Yours safety is our greatest concern. I have been fortunate to have been elected Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Cedars Sinai. Breast surgery is my passion and I do many breast reductions, lifts and many revisions of other breast surgeries that have not been performed well.
Isn’t a breast augmentation an “easy surgery” that anyone can do?
No. Every surgery is unique. It frustrates me to see young woman who go to doctors who charge less and are trying to get a deal. Remember you get what you pay for. Once the incision is made in the wrong place I can’t make it go away. I have seen woman here in town who have had the nipple incision placed in the incorrect place!
What other breast revision surgeries have you been doing lately?
I fix breasts that have rippling, breasts that are hard with scar tissue. Breast that are made too big that need to be smaller and also lots of patients just want them out!
If I get them out what will I look like?
Hard to say how they will look. Some patients will have extra skin and extra breast tissue. Most patients when I remove them they will replace with a smaller implant. Some will need a lift and some will not. It all depends on the tissues and the quality of the skin and breast tissue.
