Our Policy on Revision Surgery Following Procedures Performed Elsewhere

No surgical procedure can guarantee a perfect result in every case. This is true not only of aesthetic surgery, but of surgery in general.

There are many reasons why a patient may experience problems or dissatisfaction after surgery. A procedure may have been technically complex. Healing may not have progressed as expected. Postoperative care may have affected the outcome. In other cases, the result may simply differ from what the patient had hoped for.

We also see patients who have undergone surgery overseas and experienced difficulties communicating their expectations, understanding the proposed procedure, or receiving appropriate follow-up care after returning home.

Whatever the circumstances, our first priority is not to assign blame for what happened in the past. It is to understand the patient’s present condition and determine what can safely and realistically be done from this point forward.

Our Approach to Revision Surgery

Revision surgery is often more complex than primary surgery.

Previous procedures can alter normal anatomy, create scar tissue, reduce the amount of tissue available for reconstruction, or leave implanted materials whose exact nature or position may not be immediately clear. In some cases, patients no longer have their original operative records or do not know precisely what procedures or materials were used.

For these reasons, revision surgery requires particularly careful assessment.

At Ginza Sumire no Hana Clinic, we welcome patients seeking consultation after procedures performed at other clinics, whether in Japan or abroad.

We begin by listening carefully to the patient’s concerns and reviewing the history of previous treatment. When available, operative records, consent documents, photographs taken before previous surgery, and information about any implants or other materials used can be extremely helpful.

We then evaluate the patient’s current anatomy and condition and consider what options may be medically appropriate.

Our aim is not simply to “undo” a previous operation. In many cases, completely restoring the anatomy to its original state is not possible. Instead, we seek the safest and most appropriate way to improve the present condition while respecting the limitations created by previous surgery.

Knowing When Not to Operate

One of the most important responsibilities of a plastic surgeon is knowing when further surgery should not be performed.

There are situations in which additional surgery may offer little benefit, carry excessive risk, or need to be postponed until sufficient healing has taken place. There are also cases in which the patient’s concerns cannot safely be resolved through standard plastic surgical techniques.

When we believe that surgery is unnecessary, premature, or medically inadvisable, we will explain our reasons as clearly as possible.

We believe that declining to operate can sometimes be as important a medical decision as choosing to operate.

A Team Approach to Complex Cases

Some revision procedures are relatively limited, while others require extensive evaluation and careful surgical planning.

For complex cases, Dr. Yokoyama works with other specialists as appropriate to evaluate the available treatment options and plan surgery with particular attention to safety.

Our revision surgery team includes specialists in plastic surgery and anesthesiology, allowing us to coordinate surgical and perioperative care according to the complexity of each individual case.

If a procedure requires facilities or expertise beyond what can appropriately be provided at our clinic, we will discuss suitable alternatives with the patient.

Our Commitment

Patients seeking revision surgery have often already been through a difficult experience. Some have undergone several operations. Others have spent months or years searching for a physician willing to evaluate their condition.

We understand that deciding whether to undergo another operation can itself be difficult.

Our role is not to criticize the surgeon who performed a previous procedure, nor to judge the decisions that were made at that time. Without knowing the circumstances surrounding the original operation, such judgments may not be appropriate or helpful.

Our responsibility is to carefully evaluate the condition we see today, explain what we believe is possible and what is not, and help each patient make an informed decision about the next step.

We do not promise that every problem can be corrected. Revision surgery has limitations, and previous surgery can sometimes make further treatment exceptionally challenging.

What we can promise is that every case will be approached seriously, carefully, and with respect for the patient.

At Ginza Sumire no Hana Clinic, our goal in revision surgery is not simply to change an appearance. It is to use the principles and techniques of plastic and reconstructive surgery to help patients move forward with greater confidence and a better quality of life.