Back to BlogWhat Are Your Options if You’re Unhappy with Your Breast Reconstruction?
After undergoing breast reconstruction surgery, you may be hesitant to address pain and discomfort from scar tissue, implant-related complications, or aesthetics after recovery. The last thing you want to do is undergo another procedure. However, calling attention to anything you’re dissatisfied with early on allows you to explore your options and make corrections so you can move forward comfortably and with confidence.
Breast reconstruction revisions are more common than many realize. In a recent study, almost 70% of patients with implant-only reconstruction needed at least one revision within 8 years compared to about half of those who had other reconstructive procedures.
Unhappy with your breast reconstruction? Talk to the experts in revision breast surgery in Houston to create a clear path forward.
Understanding Breast Reconstruction Dissatisfaction
If you’re having a hard time accepting the results of your breast reconstruction, it may be difficult to feel fully comfortable in your body. Dealing with one or any combination of issues post-reconstruction can affect your confidence, but a breast reconstruction revision can potentially give you a path forward.
Common Reasons Patients Seek Revision
Someone who is unsatisfied with their breast reconstruction may feel this way for any of the following reasons:
- An unnatural look or feel that doesn’t meet your expectations
- Breasts have an uneven appearance in size, shape, or position
- Implant complications such as rupture, rippling, or shifting out of place
- Natural changes in your body over time (e.g., aging, weight gain, weight loss, or radiation)
- Pain, tightness, or discomfort (e.g., from capsular contracture)
- Visible scarring, dents, or irregularities
You know your body best, and you deserve to feel empowered to share your concerns and explore your options, so you can move forward with confidence and comfort in your own skin.
Your Surgical Revision Options:
Share your concerns and expectations with a plastic surgeon specializing in reconstructive breast surgery. Having an open and honest conversation can help them provide expert guidance and evidence-based insight to help you determine the best of four of the most commonly performed corrective approaches:
- Fat grafting can smooth breast contours and improve symmetry with more natural-looking results.
- An implant exchange or removal assists in addressing implant rupture, displacement, or capsular contracture.
- Flap-based reconstruction (e.g., DIEP flap) uses your own breast tissue for long-lasting, natural results.
- Scar revision or repositioning can refine aesthetic outcomes while minimizing visible scarring.
A comprehensive plan with a trusted plastic surgeon means each approach is carefully tailored for your body and goals with your previous procedures in mind.
When to Consider a Second Opinion
It’s difficult to imagine yourself feeling and looking your best when you can’t seem to shake thoughts about the results of your breast reconstruction. A second opinion is valuable when these thoughts become more frequent, influencing your self worth—especially if things have worsened over time.
Your original surgeon should be available to hear you out and provide solutions to put your mind at ease. If they are no longer responding to your communications or are giving you the runaround, you may be left feeling unheard or unsupported. Rather than waiting for things to change, explore advanced techniques or alternative approaches with another experienced plastic surgeon who can help.
A proper assessment of both aesthetic and functional outcomes alongside an open discussion can shift your perspective and provide clarity about your options.
Emotional & Psychological Support Matters
It’s normal to feel frustrated, anxious, or disappointed after reconstructive breast surgery. Up to 30% of women treated for breast cancer experience persistent emotional disturbances and psychological distress. Whether your expectations were not met or if you’re simply having a difficult time coping with your emotions, consider reaching out to the following for real-world advice, resources, and shared experiences:
- Family and friends
- Patient communities
- Support groups
- Therapy or counseling
Combining emotional support with expert surgical care ensures you approach revision with clarity and confidence.
Choosing the Right Surgeon for Your Revision
Revision breast reconstruction requires specialized skill and precision. However, you also want to choose a surgeon who can help guide you through the process with empathy and understanding.
What to consider when choosing a surgeon include:
- Board certification and fellowship-level training in reconstructive surgery
- Collaborative, patient-centered approach
- Microsurgery expertise for flap-based procedures
- Personalized planning and care
- Proven track record in complex breast reconstruction
My Houston Surgeons’ specialists use transformative approaches like the All Me Augmentation®, combining artistry with surgical mastery to produce visible before and after results for patients. With a team of surgeons who actively collaborate across plastic, reconstructive, and microsurgery disciplines, patients like you benefit from comprehensive solutions that go beyond what single-specialty practices offer.
Regain Confidence and Talk to the Experts in Breast Reconstruction with My Houston Surgeons
If you’re considering breast reconstruction revision, you don’t have to face it alone. My Houston Surgeons provides expert care, innovative solutions, and a patient-focused approach to help you look and feel your best. Explore your options with My Houston Surgeons—where revision breast surgery in Houston and The Woodlands goes beyond correction to restore peace of mind and renewed confidence.