Susan's Breast Augmentation Revision
"I was in a pretty bad place," recalls Susan – a mom, personal trainer, and full-time student studying physical therapy. "I had undergone a breast augmentation 3 months prior that was terrible." Because she is extremely fit and slender with very little body fat, her previous plastic surgeon said that he'd need to overfill her implants to keep them from rippling. "What he didn't tell me was that he detached my pectoralis major muscles in the center [at the sternum] to make room for the overly inflated implants. They were huge, very hard, and extremely uncomfortable."
Over the weeks that followed her surgery, Susan's pain increased. "I didn't know at the time, but the implants were actually indenting my rib cage because they were so large and so hard. I was in constant pain and my breasts looked terrible." Susan didn't know where to turn for help, so she posted her complications after breast augmentation on the Web site www.realself.com. Several surgeons wrote replies recommending she replace her implants with smaller ones, using a product like Strattice™ Reconstructive Tissue Matrix (TM) to support and reinforce the bottom of the implant that was not covered by muscle or breast tissue.
Finding Out about Strattice™ TM
Strattice™ TM is a new reconstructive tissue matrix designed to reinforce weak tissue. It is used in breast revision surgery, in addition to breast reconstruction for mastectomy patients. Strattice™ TM actually supports regeneration of the patient's own tissue. After researching the product, Susan believed that Strattice™ TM could be the solution she was looking for. She contacted Dr. Steven Teitelbaum in Los Angeles, a plastic surgeon who specializes in breast augmentation revision and is experienced in using Strattice™ TM.
"Dr. Teitelbaum knew what to do. He said that my problem was caused by implants that were too large, along with the fact that I had very little breast tissue and body fat. The muscle had retracted upwards to my clavicle," recalls Susan. "To fix my problem, he removed the large saline implants and replaced them with smaller silicone ones. He sewed the Strattice™ TM horizontally along the lower edge of the pectoralis major muscles to cover the lower part of the implant, and attached it to my rib cage at the breast fold," she explains.
Her Revision Results
The surgery was successful and now Susan is comfortable once again. "I'm very happy with my results," she says. "The revision with Strattice™ TM looks and feels very natural. I'd recommend women with low body fat choose their surgeon carefully when deciding about breast augmentation. I feel so fortunate that breast augmentation revision with Strattice™ TM was an option for me."
Important Information
Every patient is different and individual results may vary. Reference herein to any surgeon does not constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation by LifeCell.
Please ask your surgeon to explain the benefits and risks to see if Strattice™ TM is right for you. We encourage patients to verify their healthcare providers' qualifications, experience and accomplishments.
