Gangnam Station Breast Revision Surgery: From Timing to Recovery, A to Z

Gangnam Station Breast Revision Surgery: From Timing to Recovery, A to Z

Hello. I am Dr. Kim Joo-won, the head director of Melon Plastic Surgery, your breast specialist providing solutions for breast concerns.

Today, I will be talking about revision surgery. Revision surgery is a procedure performed after an initial surgery. Since it's a second surgery, you might have questions about the appropriate timing, whether the recovery period will be longer, and more.

‘Is there an appropriate time for revision surgery?’‘Is the recovery period longer compared to the first surgery?’

Today, I will discuss the timing of breast revision surgery and methods for recovery management. I hope this article helps those with similar concerns find direction.

Breast Revision Surgery | Is there a specific suitable time for revision surgery?

For someone unfamiliar with breast augmentation, revision surgery might seem like a major problem, but for those who are knowledgeable, it can be seen as a surgery for improvement.

This is because, in addition to cases requiring medical solutions for side effects or specific breast issues, many choose revision surgery to improve shape, size, cleavage, or implants, considering their age, current trends, and circumstances. For these individuals, the fear of surgery is relatively low compared to before, so the decision to undergo surgery is often quicker, and the recovery speed, including the time it takes for swelling to subside, is also relatively fast.

However, there are points to be aware of, particularly regarding the timing of the surgery.

Revision surgery involves operating on tissue that has already undergone surgery once. The timing must be carefully determined to protect the tissue as much as possible. Generally, this period is considered to be about 6 months after the first surgery. This allows the inserted implants to settle to some extent and the operated tissue to stabilize.

Of course, not all cases are the same. In situations requiring immediate action, such as acute inflammation or vascular abnormalities, revision surgery may be performed quickly. If the revision surgery is due to dissatisfaction with shape or size, waiting until the tissue has fully recovered can lead to better results. Conversely, if it's simply dissatisfaction with the shape, waiting sufficiently for tissue recovery can yield better outcomes.

Revision surgery is a procedure where the experience of the operating medical team is crucial. This is because they must interpret the condition of the internal breast tissue with ultrasound, assess tissue recovery and situation through palpation, and find the most appropriate solution through experience. This also allows them to determine the optimal surgical timing to minimize body damage and achieve the best possible results.

Simply choosing the right surgical timing can make the post-operative recovery period more comfortable. Therefore, if you clearly understand your current breast condition through communication with your medical team and decide on revision surgery, you will likely achieve clearer results.

Breast Revision Surgery | Incision site and capsule removal in revision surgery

‘Do you reuse the incision site from the first surgery?’‘Is capsule removal complicated if the capsule is thick?’

At Melon, unless there are special circumstances, we perform revision surgery using the incision site from the first surgery. Although breast augmentation incisions are small, creating another incision would increase the burden of scarring.

The capsule refers to the thin membrane surrounding the implant. In the case of capsule removal, it does not involve detaching or incising skin tissue, so a higher level of technique may be required.

This is because if the capsule is thick and firm or adhered to the implant, it must be stably separated while minimizing tissue damage. In such cases, the capsule and implant may be removed together, followed by a process of tidying up the breast pocket where the implant was located.

Breast revision surgery not only means re-operating but is actually closer to a process of clearly identifying the current physical conditions and the root cause of the problem to harmoniously rebalance the body.

This is because it's a redesign that must consider both innate physical conditions and changes and problems resulting from the first surgery. If this process is clearly executed, satisfactory results can be expected.

Breast Revision Surgery | Post-operative pain and recovery speed

Will breast revision surgery be more painful or less painful than the first surgery?

In most cases, the pain is less than with the first surgery. This is because many cases use the existing incision site, resulting in less new damage. Of course, it can be different if the surgical scope is wide and complex, such as in cases requiring capsule removal.

The nature of the pain can also feel different. In the early stages after surgery, patients often describe a heavy feeling or pressure rather than pain. After about 1 week, the pain decreases, and daily movements start to become more comfortable.

Around this time, you can begin light walks or activities.

Immediately after surgery, you will wear a front-opening compression bra, which helps support the inframammary fold. Once the inframammary fold is somewhat stable, you will switch to a sports bra. This is part of the management process to shape the breasts.

The duration of wearing a bra can be shortened or lengthened depending on the progress, such as tissue reaction and recovery speed. At Melon, as your primary physician, I directly monitor your progress and guide you on when to wear and remove the bra, so please don't worry and simply follow the process with us.

Breast Revision Surgery | 8 Management Programs to Aid Recovery

For breast augmentation, post-operative care is as important as pre-operative communication and the surgery itself. The same applies to breast revision surgery. Consistent management, considering the recovery environment and lifestyle patterns, is essential to achieve stable results.

At Melon, we implement approximately 8 recovery programs in stages, tailored to your progress, including prescribed medication to prevent capsular contracture, wearing functional underwear, stabilizing touch and skin tissue, high-frequency management, and scar management.

From about 6 months to 2 years post-surgery, we also conduct ultrasound examinations to check for any signs of implant abnormalities. Post-operative care is a crucial process that determines satisfaction with the results.

How you spend this period not only affects satisfaction with the shape, size, and fit of clothes, but also significantly impacts many aspects of your daily life.

If you are considering breast revision surgery, please feel free to talk to us. As your breast specialist, I will accompany you on your breast journey, from communication to surgery and post-operative recovery.

Thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the appropriate time for breast reoperation?

Generally, about 6 months after the initial surgery is appropriate. This is because the implant has settled and the tissue has stabilized. However, the timing may vary depending on the situation, such as acute inflammation requiring immediate action or dissatisfaction with the shape.

Is the incision site from the first surgery reused during breast reoperation?

Yes, unless there are special circumstances, reoperation is performed using the incision site from the first surgery. This is to reduce the burden of new scars.

How is capsulectomy performed during breast reoperation?

Capsulectomy does not involve removing skin tissue, so it requires a high level of technique. If the capsule is thick or adhered to the implant, the process may involve safely separating it with minimal tissue damage, followed by cleaning the breast pocket.

Is the pain after breast reoperation more severe than after the first surgery?

In most cases, the pain is less severe than after the first surgery. This is because the existing incision site is used, resulting in less new damage. However, it can be different if the surgical scope is wide and complex, such as with capsulectomy.

What kind of care will I receive during the recovery period after reoperation?

Melon Plastic Surgery provides approximately 8 step-by-step recovery programs, including medication to prevent capsular contracture, wearing functional underwear, touch stabilization, high-frequency treatment, and scar management. Ultrasound examinations are also conducted for 6 months to 2 years.