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Breast Implant Revision

Complex cases welcome. Expertise in capsular contracture, en bloc capsulectomy, implant exchange, and the full spectrum of revision breast surgery.

Overview

When the First Surgery Isn't the Last Word

Breast implants are durable, but they are not permanent. Over time — sometimes years, sometimes decades — many women find themselves considering revision surgery. Perhaps the implants have aged. Perhaps a complication has developed. Perhaps tastes have simply changed, and what felt right at twenty-five no longer reflects who you are at forty-five. Whatever the reason, breast implant revision is one of the more nuanced and technically demanding areas of plastic surgery, and the surgeon you choose matters enormously.

Dr. Newman's practice actively welcomes revision cases — including complex ones that have been declined elsewhere. His fellowship training at Georgetown University under two of the world's foremost breast surgeons gave him the technical foundation to address the full range of revision scenarios: capsular contracture at every grade, implant malposition, bottoming out, size change (up or down), implant rupture, BIA-ALCL, and straightforward aesthetic dissatisfaction. He approaches each case with a fresh set of eyes and a commitment to understanding exactly what the patient wants from this surgery — not just what went wrong with the last one.

Why Women Seek Breast Implant Revision

The reasons women come to Dr. Newman for revision surgery are as varied as the patients themselves. Some arrive with a clear diagnosis — confirmed rupture on MRI, Grade IV capsular contracture with significant distortion, late-onset swelling raising BIA-ALCL concerns. Others come simply because something has shifted, aesthetically or personally, and they want a different result. The common thread is that each of these situations deserves a thoughtful, individualized surgical plan — not a generic revision protocol.

Capsular Contracture

The most common complication of breast augmentation. The body's scar tissue capsule hardens and tightens, distorting the breast's appearance and feel.

Implant Rupture

Saline ruptures are immediately apparent; silicone ruptures may be "silent" and detected only on imaging. Both warrant timely surgical attention.

Bottoming Out

The implant descends below the natural breast fold over time, causing the nipple to appear too high on the breast and a rounded lower pole.

Size Change

Preferences evolve. Whether a patient wants to go larger, smaller, or simply different, implant exchange allows a meaningful aesthetic recalibration.

BIA-ALCL Concerns

Women with textured implants who develop late-onset swelling or have been counseled about BIA-ALCL risk may wish to pursue en bloc capsulectomy.

Aesthetic Dissatisfaction

Asymmetry, unnatural shape, or a result that simply didn't meet expectations — revision surgery can often correct what the original procedure left unresolved.

Capsular Contracture: Grading and Correction

Capsular contracture is the most frequently treated complication in Dr. Newman's revision practice. Understanding the Baker Classification helps frame the surgical conversation:

Grade Clinical Appearance Typical Treatment
Grade I Breast is soft and natural-appearing. Normal healing response. No treatment needed. Observation
Grade II Breast is slightly firm. Implant may be palpable but appearance is normal. Observation or early intervention
Grade III Breast is firm and visibly abnormal. Implant is easily palpable; breast may appear rounded or distorted. Surgical correction — capsulectomy + implant exchange
Grade IV Breast is hard, painful, and significantly distorted. Significant patient discomfort is common. Surgical correction — complete capsulectomy + implant exchange

For Grade III and IV capsular contracture, Dr. Newman performs a capsulectomy — removal of the hardened capsule — in conjunction with implant exchange. In many cases, he also changes the pocket position from subglandular to dual-plane to reduce the risk of recurrence. In selected cases, capsulorraphy (internal pocket repair/tightening) may be performed to correct implant malposition at the same time.

En Bloc Capsulectomy: Dr. Newman's Protocol

For patients with BIA-ALCL — or patients with textured implants who wish to minimize any theoretical risk — Dr. Newman performs en bloc capsulectomy: removal of the implant and its entire surrounding capsule as a single intact unit, without breach of the capsule during excision. This oncologic approach ensures that any material contained within the capsule is not exposed to surrounding tissues during extraction. Dr. Newman performs this procedure according to established surgical guidelines and, when oncologic staging is indicated, coordinates with appropriate specialists. Patients presenting with late-onset swelling around textured implants should seek prompt evaluation.

Implant Removal Without Replacement

More women are choosing explant surgery — implant removal without replacement — and Dr. Newman respects this as a completely valid choice. The aesthetic outcome after explant alone depends on the amount of native breast tissue present, the skin quality, and how long the implants were in place. Women with meaningful native tissue and good skin elasticity are often pleasantly surprised by the result. In cases where skin laxity is a concern, a concurrent mastopexy (lift) can significantly improve the final appearance.

For women who want to remove their implants but would still like some additional volume — without going back to silicone or saline — Dr. Newman's Forever Breast® fat transfer offers a compelling middle path: explant the implants, perform liposuction to harvest fat, and transfer that fat to the breasts for a natural, implant-free augmentation. The result is softer, lighter, and carries none of the long-term concerns associated with implants.

Why Revision Requires More Skill Than Primary Surgery

Primary breast augmentation is performed in undisturbed, predictable tissue. Revision surgery is not. The surgeon must navigate the modified anatomy created by the original procedure, work within or around scar tissue, and make real-time decisions about pocket management, capsule handling, and tissue reconstruction that have no equivalent in first-time surgery. The more complex the original outcome — and the more times a patient has been operated on — the more demanding the revision becomes. Dr. Newman brings the technical depth and surgical judgment to handle these cases well, and he takes particular satisfaction in delivering the result that prior surgeons could not.

If you have been told that your situation is too complicated, or that your only options are limited, we encourage you to schedule a consultation. Dr. Newman has a long track record of finding solutions where others have seen only obstacles.

Revision at a Glance
Expertise Complex revision cases welcomed and routinely accepted
En Bloc Protocol Full intact capsulectomy performed per oncologic guidelines when indicated
Your Options Implant exchange, size change, removal only, or removal + fat transfer
Recovery Comparable to primary augmentation — 5–7 days to desk work for most patients
Anesthesia General anesthesia
Facility Accredited outpatient surgical facility
Training Georgetown fellowship in breast surgery; UCLA clinical faculty
Schedule a Consultation

Gallery

Before & After: Breast Revision

A selection of revision results from Dr. Newman's practice. All patients shown are real patients who have consented to share their photos.

Breast implant revision before and after Beverly Hills – patient 1
Patient 1
Breast implant revision before and after Beverly Hills – patient 2
Patient 2
Breast implant revision before and after Beverly Hills – patient 3
Patient 3
Breast implant revision before and after Beverly Hills – patient 4
Patient 4

*Each patient is unique. Results may vary. Photos are shown with patient consent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Breast Implant Revision FAQ

What is capsular contracture?
Capsular contracture occurs when the natural scar tissue capsule that forms around any breast implant hardens and tightens, causing the breast to feel firm, look distorted, or become uncomfortable. It is graded on the Baker Scale from Grade I (soft, natural-feeling) through Grade IV (hard, painful, and significantly distorted). Grade III and IV capsular contracture typically warrants surgical treatment. Dr. Newman corrects it through capsulectomy — removal of the hardened capsule — combined with implant exchange, and often a change in pocket position to reduce the risk of recurrence.
My implants are old — do they need to be replaced?
Breast implants do not require routine replacement on a schedule. If your implants are intact, feel comfortable, and are not causing symptoms, there is no medical reason to replace them simply because of their age. That said, implants can rupture, develop capsular contracture, or cause aesthetic changes over time. The FDA recommends periodic MRI or ultrasound screening for silicone implants to detect silent rupture. If you have concerns about aging implants, an office consultation — often supplemented by imaging — can provide a clear, personalized picture of your implant health and whether any action is warranted.
What is BIA-ALCL?
BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) is a rare lymphoma associated with certain textured breast implants. It is not a cancer of the breast tissue itself, but a lymphoma arising within the scar tissue capsule. Most cases present with late-onset swelling around the implant. The standard treatment — and the approach with the highest cure rate — is complete surgical removal of the implant and its surrounding capsule intact (en bloc capsulectomy). Dr. Newman performs en bloc capsulectomy according to established oncologic protocol and in coordination with appropriate specialists when indicated. Women with textured implants who develop unexplained swelling should seek prompt evaluation.
Can I remove implants without replacement?
Yes — explant surgery without replacement is a valid and commonly performed option. The aesthetic outcome depends on native breast tissue volume, skin quality, and how long the implants were in place. Women with adequate native tissue and good elasticity are often satisfied with the result following explant alone. Where skin laxity is a concern, a concurrent mastopexy can improve the final contour. Dr. Newman also offers the Forever Breast® fat transfer as an explant-plus-augmentation path — removing implants and replacing volume with the patient's own fat for a natural, implant-free result.
How is revision different from primary augmentation?
Revision surgery is substantially more complex than primary augmentation. The surgeon operates within a tissue environment already altered by the original procedure — modified anatomical planes, scar tissue, and the physical changes wrought by years of implant presence all affect what is technically possible. Correcting capsular contracture, repairing implant malposition, or performing en bloc capsulectomy requires a specific, practiced skill set that goes well beyond primary augmentation experience. Dr. Newman actively accepts complex revision cases, including those that have been declined elsewhere.
Can I switch from saline to silicone?
Yes — implant exchange is one of the most straightforward components of revision surgery. Switching from saline to silicone (or silicone to saline) is routinely performed as part of a revision procedure, typically through the original incision site. Many patients who had saline implants placed years ago choose to switch to modern cohesive silicone gel implants for their notably more natural look and feel. Dr. Newman will evaluate your pocket and capsule at the time of surgery to ensure the complete revision plan is optimally executed.

Complex Cases Welcome

Schedule Your Revision Consultation

If you have concerns about existing implants — or if you've been told your situation is too complicated to address — we invite you to meet with Dr. Newman. He will evaluate your anatomy, explain your options honestly, and develop a plan that reflects your goals.

416 N. Bedford Drive, Suite 403 · Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.859.0010