Many women undergo breast augmentation surgery with fat grafting or breast implants to enhance the shape and size of their breasts. During breast augmentation surgery with implants, the plastic surgeon places saline or silicone implants under the chest muscle or breast tissue to augment the breast size. The average lifespan of the implants is around 10 years. Sometimes, breast implant complications occur and they need to be removed. Some women no longer want their implants even before it is time to replace them.
Whether you are dealing with complications or simply no longer wants your implants, breast implant removal is a solution. Keep reading to learn more about breast implant removal surgery and what it entails in terms of preparation and recovery, what your breasts will look like after the procedure, and what additional procedures may be required.
Why have implants removed?
There are several reasons why people may need or choose to undergo breast implant removal plastic surgery. The most common reasons are listed below.
Capsular contracture
Capsular contracture is the formation of a hard capsule around the implant, distorting its shape and causing pain. It is the most common reason for patients to have their implants outs. Capsulectomy (surgical removal of thick, hard scar tissue around the implant) can be performed to release a capsular contracture.
Breast implant illness
This is a syndrome where patients with breast implants experience a range of symptoms such as pain, fatigue, headaches, hair loss, sleep problems, and depression. It is not clear if this is a real disease that can be attributed to the implants. It is believed to be caused by the immune system reacting to the implants. Oftentimes, however, removal of the implants does not improve the symptoms.
Breast cancer diagnosis
In women with a breast cancer diagnosis, breast implants may need to be removed because of the location of the tumor in the breast tissue.
Patient preference
A patient may decide she no longer wants breast implants in her body for various reasons. For example, the implant may have been placed many years ago and may no longer be in proportion to the rest of the body. She may be unhappy with her breast size. Or she may no longer want the implants due to lifestyle changes.
What is breast implant removal surgery?
Breast augmentation with breast implants is not designed to last a lifetime. The implants may need to be removed or exchanged every 7 to 12 years on average. The decision to have the implants removed or exchanged depends on a patient's desires. It can also be necessitated by an implant leak or formation of hard scar tissue that is painful.
Breast implant removal surgery is a procedure to remove breast implants in patients who have previously undergone breast augmentation or breast reconstruction. It is worth noting that if a patient simply wants to downsize their current implants, an implant replacement or exchange using smaller sized new implants is an option. The surgeon can perform a capsulectomy (release of the capsule) and exchange the implants.
Breast implant removal is a fairly straightforward plastic surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove the implant and the breast capsule (the pocket which forms around any foreign entity like a breast implant). In patients who have a capsular contracture, implant rupture, or deflation, the surgery can be slightly more complex.
Who needs removal of implants?
Women who are bothered by the appearance of their implants can choose to have them removed. Some patients want their implants out because of pain and discomfort or a feeling that the breasts are too heavy. Hardening or tightening of scar tissue around the implant or implant leak or rupture are other indications for a woman to get the implants out.
What happens when breast implants are removed?
After breast implant removal plastic surgery, your breasts will have a different shape and size. They may appear droopier or flatter and have some irregularities or indentations, depending on the scar tissue that had formed around the implant.
The size and shape of the breasts after implant removal surgery depends on several factors, including their size before the implants were placed, the size of the breast implant that was used, and the changes in the body that have occurred in the interim due to weight loss or gain, pregnancy, menopause, etc.
Not surprisingly, larger breast implants lead to greater distortion of the breasts. They can cause sagging breast skin and deflation of the chest after implant removal. Smaller implants have less of an effect and may only leave a slightly ptotic (sagging) and mostly natural looking appearance.
Women who had relatively smaller breasts before they got breast implants see less change after implant removal surgery compared to those with larger breasts. This is because smaller breasts have less tissue and skin that can sag.
Hormonal changes and weight fluctuations can lead to sagging, and when the extra volume imparted by the implant is removed, it can cause the breasts to look saggy and deflated.
Lastly, age can play a role in how the breasts look after implant removal surgery. Young women with small breasts may have contraction back to their original appearance. Older patients are less likely to revert back to their original appearance due to less collagen and elastin in the skin.
What happens to the capsule after breast implant removal?
In most cases, the plastic surgeon will remove the breast capsule along with the implant.
Is a breast lift necessary after implant removal?
Breast lifts (mastopexies) are not always necessary after breast implant removal surgery. However, your surgeon may suggest additional procedures like a breast lift during your consultation. A breast lift can help to give you the best possible breast size and shape with your natural tissue. This is especially important if the breast implant was large and you have loose skin. The breast lift procedure can be done at the same time as the breast implant removal.
It is also possible to plan other procedures at the same time as the breast implant removal surgery, for example, a facelift or tummy tuck. Oftentimes, women who are getting their breast implants out are at a stage of life when they want other work done. For example, people might have got breast implants in their 20s or 30s and are getting them removed 20 years later, but are now wanting their eyes done or some body contouring. Combining a breast lift or other cosmetic procedures with breast implant removal surgery can be economical in terms of both cost and downtime.
Preparing for breast implant removal
If you are thinking of having your silicone or saline implants out, you will need to see a surgeon in consultation in the office. During the consultation, the surgeon will discuss your goals from the surgery and obtain a complete medical history, including medications, allergies, medical conditions, and previous surgeries. They will examine your breasts and take photographs. They will then discuss breast implant removal surgeries and answer your questions. The surgeon will also discuss the possible outcomes of the planned breast procedures and the potential risks and complications.
In preparation for the procedure, your surgeon will advise you to stop taking certain medications like blood thinners and anti-inflammatory drugs that can increase the risk of bleeding. It is highly recommended that you stop smoking before the surgery to reduce the risk of wound healing complications. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital and stay with you for a couple of days.
Procedure details
Anesthesia
Breast implant removal surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. It can also be done with intravenous sedation.
Incisions
The surgeon will make an incision in the lower fold of the breast (this is called the inframammary fold). An additional incision may be needed around or under the areola.
Removal
The surgeon will then remove the breast implant and capsule using one or more surgical techniques.
Closure
The surgeon will close the incisions with sutures, tapes, clips, or adhesives and place dressings on your chest.
Recovery
You will have bandages and dressings on the incision after the surgery. Your surgeon may leave a drain (small tube) in place to drain out excess fluid and blood. You may also need to wear a surgical compression garment or support bra during the healing process. Your surgeon will give you instructions about caring for the incision and surgical sites. You may get a cream or oral medications to use to reduce the risk of infection, as well as pain medication to reduce discomfort. Complete healing of the incision after implant removal can take several weeks. Final results may only be visible one year later after the swelling and postoperative changes have settled.
Risks of getting breast implants removed
Like all surgeries, removal of implants carries some risks. You will need to weigh the pros and cons, i.e., the risks against your desire to get the implants out or medical reasons the implants should be removed.
Potential risks of breast implant removal surgery are bleeding, hematoma (collection of blood under the skin), seroma (fluid accumulation), persistent pain, infection, numbness or changes in nipple or areola sensation, fat necrosis (fatty tissue dying), and deep vein thrombosis. Women who have decreased blood supply to the breast tissue from prior surgery or radiation treatments are at greater risk of healing complications.
There can also be problems like unfavorable scarring, skin discoloration, asymmetry, loose skin, and other suboptimal aesthetic results.
How much does it cost to have implant removal?
The average cost of breast implant removal is $2,500 in the United States, United Kingdom, and other developed countries. However, there can be additional costs on account of anesthesia, surgical facilities, and related expenses like medical tests and medications. Prices can vary based on your geographical location and the surgeon's experience as well. Your surgeon will give you a quote before booking your surgery.
Finding a plastic surgeon for implant removal
Are you considering getting your saline or silicone gel implants out? The MeTime app makes it easy to find experienced plastic surgeons in your area. You can click and upload pictures and have suggestions sent directly to you. Get in touch with top-rated implant removal surgeons today. Try the MeTime app now!
