Umnagumo Plastic Surgery
Breast Revision Surgery in Korea — Umnagumo

REVISION BREAST SURGERY

Scroll
Sculpture

Your Concerns

Are you facing any of these concerns?

01

My breast feels stiff or unnatural.

02

The shape has changed since my original surgery and I’m concerned.

03

It is becoming harder and the pain is gradually getting worse.

04

The implant has dropped, and one side looks different from the other.

05

My first surgery didn’t turn out as I hoped, and I’m considering revision.

If any of these concerns resonate,

now is the time to speak with a specialist.

Breast Revision Surgery in Korea — Umnagumo
About Surgery

Revision Breast Surgery —

this is a procedure to investigate even more carefully.

Revision breast surgery at Umnagumo Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, Seoul (Korea) is a precision corrective procedure for capsular contracture (Baker I–IV), implant rupture, asymmetry, malposition, bottoming-out, synmastia, rippling, animation deformity, and aesthetic dissatisfaction from a prior augmentation. Because we are working with tissue that has already undergone surgery, the capsule condition, implant position, residual tissue thickness, and any subclinical damage all require careful, detailed pre-op assessment — not a generic protocol.

Revision is more demanding than primary surgery for clear reasons. The capsule has already changed in thickness, calcification, contracture pattern, and adherence to surrounding tissue, so dissection paths and pocket design must be re-engineered from scratch — sometimes through scar tissue with altered anatomy. The implant’s residual state (rupture, rotation, gel migration, foreign-body deposits) must also be evaluated simultaneously, often using preoperative ultrasound or MRI. If the diagnosis is inaccurate, the same complications are likely to recur — which is why we prioritize accurate diagnosis over fast scheduling.

Operative time is longer and bleeding control is more challenging than in primary surgery, making precise endoscopic dissection, meticulous hemostasis, and experienced anesthesia safety management essential. Pocket reconstruction often requires capsulorrhaphy (internal suture-based capsule tightening) or acellular dermal matrix support, depending on the deformity being corrected.

At Umnagumo, every revision surgery is performed personally by a plastic surgeon with 25+ years of experience, in collaboration with board-certified anesthesiology specialists and under a comprehensive in-house safety-management system that includes preoperative clearance, intraoperative monitoring, and structured post-op care. Over 12,000 cumulative breast surgery cases as a foundation inform precise root-cause diagnosis and correction — and international patients travelling to Korea for revision receive the same depth of pre-op planning, intraoperative judgment, and post-op support that domestic patients do.

Through endoscopic dissection, minimized bleeding, and pocket reconstruction, we correct the cause of the problem at its source — aiming for a more stable, more predictable, and more natural-looking result (individual results may vary). Where appropriate, we also discuss whether revision should be combined with mastopexy, fat-graft refinement, or staged correction to reach the goal in the fewest possible operations.

background

Why Choose Us

What Makes Umnagumo Revision Surgery Different

Umnagumo revision surgery focuses on safer, more natural outcomes through endoscopic-based precision dissection and fully bespoke correction.

01

Bespoke Design

The most stable revision plan, engineered after diagnosing the root cause

02

Surgical Time

Approximately 60 – 120 minutes

03

Procedure Focus

Safety-first · deformity / contracture correction · breast-line reconstruction

REVISION TYPES

Precision Correction by Revision Type

Revision surgery begins by accurately diagnosing what went wrong with the previous operation. Even within revision, the dissection path, capsule management, placement plane, and pocket design all differ depending on which problem is primary — capsular contracture, bottoming-out, implant rupture, malposition / rotation, synmastia, asymmetry, rippling, or animation deformity. Umnagumo analyzes the cause through implant ultrasound and detailed examination, then builds a case-specific correction plan.

01 · CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE

Capsular Contracture

An abnormal thickening and shrinkage of the capsule that forms around the implant, causing firmness and shape distortion. The Baker classification (I–IV) is used to grade severity. As the grade rises, pain and deformity worsen and correction becomes more challenging.

Baker grade I–II (mild)

Slight reduction in softness. Managed with massage, anti-inflammatory or anti-fibrotic medication, and observation — surgery is not always required.

Baker grade III (moderate)

External deformity is present. Capsulectomy + implant exchange is the standard. Placement-plane change may be added to reduce recurrence risk.

Baker grade IV (severe)

Accompanied by pain and severe deformity. Total capsulectomy + implant exchange + neopocket reconstruction are recommended. Changing implant surface (textured / smooth) is also reviewed to prevent recurrence.

02 · BOTTOM-OUT

Bottoming-out

The implant descends below the inframammary fold (IMF), pushing the nipple upward and making the lower breast appear bulging. The primary causes are oversized implants, weak tissue, or incorrect pocket design. Untreated, it can progress to asymmetry and skin stretching.

Correction principle — the stretched lower capsule is sutured internally (capsulorrhaphy) to create a new IMF; ADM (biologic mesh) or autologous tissue reinforcement restores support if needed.

Implant selection — switching to the same or slightly smaller size reduces recurrence. For very thin tissue, the placement plane may be changed to dual-plane.

Aftercare — adequate compression and IMF-position protective garments support the repair until stable.

03 · IMPLANT RUPTURE

Implant Rupture

Damage to the implant shell allows silicone gel to leak inside or outside the capsule. Silent rupture is common, so periodic ultrasound and MRI screening matter. Once diagnosed, prompt removal + exchange is the principle.

Diagnosis — implant ultrasound, with MRI as needed. Imaging findings such as the “snowstorm sign” guide rupture assessment.

Surgery — leaked silicone and damaged capsule are removed together (en-bloc capsulectomy preferred), with implant exchange. Intra-capsular rupture — where silicone is contained within the capsule — is managed with total capsulectomy to remove all residue.

Aftercare — confirm manufacturer warranty-program eligibility; continue regular ultrasound monitoring.

04 · MALPOSITION

Malposition · Rotation · Synmastia

Deformities where the implant has displaced (up, down, or lateral), the teardrop implant has rotated, or both implants have merged centrally (synmastia). The cause is typically a pocket that is too large or in an incorrect location.

Correction principle — partial closure of the existing pocket and creation of a new pocket (neopocket) at the correct location, or creation of an internal partition using ADM / autologous tissue — selected case by case.

Synmastia — skin over the central sternum is lifted by implant pressure. The central capsule is reinforced with sutures; if needed, implant size is reduced to relieve pressure.

Rotation — teardrop (textured) implant rotation. The pocket is reshaped to match the implant precisely to prevent further rotation.

05 · ASYMMETRY

Asymmetry Correction

Differences in size, position, or shape between the two breasts. This occurs when the original surgery did not account for pre-existing asymmetry, or when contracture / bottoming-out has progressed on one side only. Assessment must include IMF height and nipple position — not just external appearance.

Approach — plans vary by case: changing only one side’s size or plane, exchanging both implants with fine adjustment, or one side implant + opposite side autologous fat reinforcement.

Measurement — chest cage width, IMF height, nipple-to-IMF distance, inter-nipple distance, and breast circumference are measured to quantify the cause of the difference.

06 · RIPPLING & ANIMATION

Rippling · Animation Deformity

Rippling: surface wrinkles of the implant become visible through thin skin or muscle. Animation deformity: implants placed below the chest muscle move upward with muscle contraction. Both occur more often in slim patients with sub-muscular implants.

Rippling correction — changing the placement plane to dual-plane or sub-fascial, autologous fat grafting to reinforce skin thickness, or exchange to a smooth-surface implant.

Animation correction — moving the implant from below the muscle to sub-fascial or sub-glandular plane is the main solution. Particularly beneficial for patients with an active lifestyle.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Umnagumo Revision Surgery Core Techniques

Revision involves working with tissue that has already been operated on, so precision techniques distinct from primary surgery are required. At Umnagumo, our specialist with 25+ years of experience personally performs the operation — combining the following four core techniques case by case.

01

Capsulectomy

Capsule management is the single biggest variable in revision success. Selection by case:

  • Total capsulectomy — complete capsule removal. Recommended for Baker IV, silicone leakage, calcification, and recurrent contracture.
  • Partial capsulectomy — partial capsule removal. Selected for some Baker III cases and locations near the chest wall where tissue damage is a concern.
  • En-bloc capsulectomy — implant and capsule removed as a single intact unit. Effective for containing residue in confirmed rupture / leakage cases.

02

Placement-Plane Change

Changing the implant’s placement layer simultaneously improves contracture recurrence, naturalness, and animation deformity.

  • Subglandular → Subpectoral — from sub-glandular to sub-muscular. Lowers contracture recurrence.
  • Subpectoral → Dual-plane — upper portion sub-muscular, lower portion sub-glandular. Reduces animation deformity.
  • Sub-fascial transition — beneath the fascia. Beneficial for rippling and animation deformity in slim patients.

03

Pocket Reconstruction (Neopocket · Capsulorrhaphy)

The most important technique for bottoming-out, synmastia, and malposition. The existing pocket is closed with sutures and a new pocket is created in the correct location — or the existing capsule is internally sutured to form a new IMF.

  • Internal suture (capsulorrhaphy) — stretched capsule is sutured internally to raise the IMF position.
  • ADM / autologous reinforcement — for very thin tissue or recurrent deformity, biologic mesh or autologous reinforcement secures support.
  • Neopocket — the existing pocket is closed; a new pocket is formed at the correct location to the precise size.

04

Endoscopic Precision Dissection & Safety System

Revision involves more complex dissection paths and more challenging bleeding control than primary surgery. A clear surgical field determines outcome stability.

  • Full HD endoscopic dissection — direct visualization of vessels and fascia structures minimizes bleeding and nerve injury.
  • Anesthesiology specialist collaboration — anesthesia safety management for revision surgery.
  • Preoperative precision assessment — implant ultrasound, blood tests, ECG, and chest X-ray for preoperative risk evaluation.
  • Personally performed by a 25+ year specialist — the same physician is responsible from consultation through surgery and recovery.

DECISION GUIDE

Revision Decision Guide

We’ve summarized the criteria for “when to have revision” and “where to receive it.” The safest approach is to undergo accurate diagnosis once enough time has passed since the primary surgery — and to decide from there.

Optimal Revision Timing — After 6 to 12 Months

We recommend at least 6 months — typically 10 to 12 months — after primary surgery, so that tissue and capsule have stabilized. Revising too early increases the risks of tissue damage, bleeding, and re-contracture. In cases of implant rupture, severe infection, or severe contracture with pain, earlier revision may be required regardless of timing.

Four Things You Must Verify at Consultation

  • Cause analysis — does the doctor accurately explain “what went wrong”? A simple “just replace the implant” is a warning sign.
  • Ultrasound diagnosis — are implant condition, capsule thickness, and any residual silicone directly visualized and explained?
  • Specificity of the surgical plan — is it clear whether the capsule will be partially or fully removed, how the placement plane will change, and how the pocket will be reformed?
  • Operating surgeon & aftercare policy — does the doctor you consulted with actually perform the surgery? What is the aftercare and revision-warranty policy?

Why Choose Umnagumo

At Umnagumo Plastic Surgery, Director Soonchan Eom — a board-certified plastic surgeon with 25+ years of experience — personally conducts every consultation and surgery. With over 12,000 cumulative breast surgery cases as a foundation, the clinic focuses on precision diagnosis and correction by case type: contracture, bottoming-out, rupture, malposition, asymmetry, and rippling. Microdissection techniques and endoscopic precision surgery — acquired through fellowship at Tokyo’s specialized breast clinic and doctoral training at Kyoto University — are combined to lower revision recurrence rates.

A safety-management system with a full-time anesthesiology specialist on site, plus ultrasound diagnosis and ongoing aftercare delivered by the same medical team, form a one-stop structure that prevents — at a structural level — the “same mistake repeating,” which is the chief concern of every revision patient.

AFTER CARE PROCESS

Umnagumo Plastic Surgery Post-Op Follow-Up Timeline

1 Week

Status check & guidance

+

Inflammation blood test

+

Axillary site care

3 Weeks

CAPS device care

+

Massage guidance

+

Progress check

6 Weeks

CAPS device care

+

Progress check

+

Manual massage assessment

2.5 – 3 Months

CAPS device care

+

Progress check

+

Manual massage assessment

FAQ

Breast Revision Surgery FAQ

We generally recommend at least 6 months — typically 10–12 months — after the primary surgery, so that tissue and capsule have stabilized. Implant rupture, severe infection, and Baker IV contracture accompanied by pain may require earlier revision regardless of timing.

We use the Baker classification. Grade I–II is mild — managed with massage, medication, and observation. Grade III involves visible deformity and is treated with capsulectomy + implant exchange. Grade IV is severe, with pain, and requires total capsulectomy + pocket reconstruction.

It depends on the case. Total capsulectomy is selected for Baker IV, silicone leakage, or recurrent contracture. Partial capsulectomy is selected for Baker III or where there is concern about damaging adjacent tissue. For confirmed rupture, en-bloc capsulectomy removes the capsule and implant together.

Effects vary by case: lower contracture recurrence (sub-glandular → sub-muscular / dual-plane), reduced animation deformity (sub-muscular → sub-fascial / dual-plane), and reduced rippling (dual-plane / sub-fascial works better with thin skin).

We need an implant assessment (ultrasound, sometimes MRI), no smoking or alcohol for 1 week beforehand, discontinuation of medications that increase bleeding risk (e.g., aspirin), and information about your primary surgery (implant brand, placement plane, incision location).

Most patients return to daily life within 3–7 days, and exercise is possible from 4–6 weeks post-op. Revision recovery is more variable than primary surgery, so consistent compression and scheduled follow-up are important.

Avoid raising your arms or lifting heavy objects, no sauna or strenuous exercise, no direct pressure on the breast, consistent use of the compression bra as instructed, and regular follow-up visits.

Regular follow-up, no smoking or alcohol, avoiding inflammation-inducing factors, appropriate massage, and prescribed medications all help. Changing implant surface (textured / smooth) and placement plane also influence recurrence rates.

Consultation

Talk to a Specialist

Our specialists, with 25+ years of experience, consult with you personally.
Receive a tailored diagnosis and optimal surgical plan, made for you.

Chat on WhatsApp+82-10-3116-5545
한국어 사이트
日本語サイト
YouTube
Instagram
WhatsApp
+82-10-3116-5545