For every 10 patients that walk into Dr. Rady Rahban’s Beverly Hills plastic surgery office, 3 of them either need or want revision surgery after getting a surgery in their recent past that failed to meet their expectations. While Dr. Rahban is an experienced and go-to plastic surgeon for revision surgery, he prefers instead to educate the public and potential plastic surgery candidates beforehand so that they never end up needing a revision. Dr. Rahban prefers to do it right the first time.
Revision surgery becomes a necessity when an initial plastic surgery procedure fails to meet a patient’s expectations, or worse, when complications arise after the work has been done and paid for — an inconvenient, costly and emotional experience. When left in the scenario where a patient feels they look less attractive or less personable than when they first entered a plastic surgeon’s office, that’s as uncomfortable as it gets. And the odds are, they will not always want the same surgeon to re-operate on them as these are deeply personal procedures.
As difficult as it is, it’s important to remain calm and be very certain to isolate what went wrong in an effort to prevent it again. Because circumstances can get frustrating and the need for solutions can get desperate, revision surgery patients can become quite vulnerable, susceptible to making less than ideal choices. But if ever there was a time for focused and measured due diligence, it’s right now.
Whatever circumstances a patient finds themselves in, Dr. Rahban has seen it exactly or something very much like it. And he has successfully corrected it to the full satisfaction of the patient.
What is Revision Surgery?
Revision surgery is a plastic surgery procedure required after the first one has been completed, because a correction or adjustment is later required. Whether this is the result of a personal preference or an endangering complication, revision surgery is called for. In a small number of cases, what should have taken 1 procedure to get perfect, can end up requiring a 2nd, 3rd, or even a 4th. (On the other hand, if a surgical procedure is just one of several actually required to achieve an anticipated outcome, the patient should be made aware of this before the first surgery ever took place.)
It’s important to know that in order to allow your body enough time to heal fully before undergoing yet another surgery, Dr. Rahban won’t perform a revision surgery immediately after an original procedure. The potential for harm or another poor outcome is too high. Patients are understandably anxious, distraught, self conscious or scared and want to fix things as fast as possible. By all means, come in for a consultation with Dr. Rahban to discuss what you want to fix, but there are actual anatomical reasons that a revision surgery is not done immediately after the original procedure. If the anatomy is in the middle of healing, it will also be swollen and inflamed, and this makes correction unlikely and will worsen an existing issue.
Dr. Rahban will perform a revision surgery as soon as possible, after the body has had sufficient time to recover.
Reasons for Revision Surgery
Corrective surgeries can be necessary for many reasons, including:
- Changes in your aesthetic goals
- Loss of functionality
- Unexpected scarring
- Miscommunication of expectations between patient and surgeon
- Poor wound healing
- Complications like infection or hematoma (localized, blood-filled swelling)
Selecting a Revision Surgery Doctor
If revision surgery is necessary, the most important choice you will make is who will perform it. If choosing your plastic surgeon was an involved or tough decision, choosing your revision surgeon will be even more important — not complicated, but important.
It’s important to understand that revision surgery is far more complicated than the initial procedure was, as the revision surgeon will be working with tissue already operated on and that means — especially in the case where a revision is being sought out — the tissue has been manipulated, stretched or distorted. If a plastic surgeon tells you otherwise, or suggests you undergo revision surgery before your body has had the chance to heal from the first, that is not a promising sign.
Seek out a board-certified revision expert who is specifically well-versed in revision surgery. Dr. Rahban has a patient centric approach and is widely known for his willingness to take as much time as is needed to troubleshoot and get to the root of the issue that led to the need for a revision in the first place.
Two key elements ensure an outstanding outcome from revision surgery. First, is thoroughly diagnosing the issue, second is creating a correct surgical plan going forward. A revision surgeon MUST ask a lot of questions about the initial surgery, review all operative reports from the previous procedure, and try to identify what when wrong. Oftentimes, surgeons can be arrogant and will plan to simply repeat the same surgery already done, this time assuming they are a “better surgeon” and will fix it the second time around.
Gathering these facts is a time-consuming process and can take many visits. In a busy plastic surgery practice, the process is often rushed and insufficient time is spent listening to and understanding the patient's history, leading to a succession of multiple failed surgeries. Naturally, you’ll want to avoid that at all costs.
After gathering all necessary information, your surgeon must then come up with a surgical plan. It’s rare that “re-doing” the same surgery already done will lead to a better outcome. Your revision surgeon also has to be highly skilled, and be able to think outside the usual box. Otherwise, you are destined to get a repeat of the same mistakes. Lastly, once all related facts are known, an entirely new and fresh course of action has to be determined. And it will only then be time for your revision surgeon to execute his or her plan.
This is where your revision surgeon's skill set comes into play. Primary, or first time surgery is difficult as it is, let alone a revision where the anatomy is altered and there is excess scar tissue. Patience and accuracy are vital.
When Dr. Rahban evaluates your situation, he inquires and takes into account your entire health history including past surgeries, scar tissue and any complications from a previous procedure. He then applies his proficient knowledge of the anatomy of the area or areas being treated, calls on decades of personal experience in surgery and revision surgery, and customizes a treatment to your specific situation. His unique approach might be more time consuming for him and his office, but he is always willing to do whatever is needed to protect his patients and prevent the need for yet another revision surgery. It is this mindset that makes him an ideal revision surgeon.
Common Revision Surgery Procedures
Plastic surgery patients may find themselves in any number of situations they feel warrant a revision surgery. Some of the more common revision surgeries for which Dr. Rahban is highly sought after include:
Breast Augmentation/ Breast Lift/ Breast Reduction Revision:
- Wrong Size — Too big or too small
- Capsular Contracture Issues or Indications — Pain, Hardening, or Malpositioning, Asymmetry
- Implant Displacement — Symmastia, Bottoming out, Fold Malposition, or Migration in the armpits
- Ruptured Implants
- Unsightly Scars from lifts
- Areolar Malpositioning
Tummy Tuck Revision:
- Poor/unsightly scar;
- Dog ear formation;
- Unattractive belly button;
- High riding scar;
- Pubic Fullness.
How to Prepare for a Revision Surgery Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Rahban will thoroughly assess your situation, hear your concerns and your goals for the revision surgery. After thoroughly reviewing your situation in full, Dr. Rahban will present you with a series of several possible options you can choose from, each of which puts your best interests at the forefront.
For diagnostic purposes, it is best that you bring with you as much information about your previous surgery as possible so that Dr. Rahban can review it, including:
- Operative report(s)
- Any labs, x rays, or scans
- Photos
- List of your questions and concerns
Dr. Rahban deeply understands the challenges all patients have when seeking revision or corrective surgery and will work with them closely and personally to achieve optimal results in the best and safest way possible.