What Happens After Breast Implant Removal?
Many women enjoy their breast implants for a lifetime, but at some point down the road you may decide your implants are no longer right for you. If you are considering breast implant removal, come see us and explore your options. Breast implant explantation, or breast implant removal, is the process of removing your implants and closing off the space or pocket where the implant was. Learn a little more below and then schedule your consultation for personalized advice.
Breast Implant Explantation or Revision Surgery: Which Option Is Right for Me?
Do you want to remove your implants or just replace them? Implant exchange is common after an initial breast augmentation. This often occurs years after your first surgery and may be performed due to implant complications or personal preference. Some common reasons for an implant exchange or breast revision surgery include:
- Desire to change breast size (bigger or smaller)
- Capsular contracture
- Leak or rupture
- Breast sagging (breast lift)
- Implant malposition
- Different implant type (saline, silicone, cohesive silicone) or shape
In a breast revision surgery, the old implant is removed and a new implant placed. Typically pockets adjustments need to be made at this time, and soft tissue support in the form of Strattice or GalaFLEX is often employed. This typically occurs during a single surgery. With implant removal, the implant is removed and the pocket closed. Common reasons for implant explantation include:
- No longer want implants
- Complications with implants (infection, capsular contracture, etc.)
What Happens During a Breast Implant Removal?
Breast implant removal procedures vary greatly depending on your original implant size, the amount of natural breast tissue you have, the reason for removal, the type of implants you have, etc. After an examination, we can give you a better idea of what to expect from your removal surgery.
Women with saline implants have the option of “in-office deflation”. Under local anesthesia, a small needled is used to deflate each implant in office. We let the implant remain deflated for 6 weeks. This allows for skin contraction and allows women to go smaller with their next set of implants without needing a lift. If the patient is on the fence of explantation vs. exchange, this allows her to see what size she will be without her implants. In-office deflation is a great tool, but it cannot be done on patients with gel implants. After 6 weeks, the implant is removed and/or replaced, depending on what the patient decides. Breast implant removal typically requires a much shorter recovery period than the original breast augmentation surgery.
Some women need a breast lift after implant removal. We can remove the implants and wait and see how the breast tissues contract or we can perform the lift at the same time as the removal. The benefit of waiting is less scarring if you don’t need a lift. The benefit of a simultaneous lift/removal is a single surgery, rather than two. Women with larger implants or less skin elasticity are more likely to require a lift after removal.
If you’re thinking about breast implant explantation, come see us. We can help you explore your options and make an informed decision about your next steps.
