What is Breast Implant Removal Surgery?
A breast implant removal procedure simply removes or replaces a person’s breast implants due to a number of concerns, whether medical or aesthetic. Patients choose to or are recommended to undergo breast implant removal if complications arise or if they want their body contour to look different than it currently does.
Breast implant removal is not required on a regular basis – only when a patient needs or wants their implants removed or replaced by a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Hetal Fichadia.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON REASONS FOR BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL?
Patients decide to have their implants removed for several reasons. Sometimes, as the body changes with time, the implants no longer fit their lifestyle or their body. Some women have issues with their implants like malposition, encapsulation, or rupture, and decide to have them removed with or without replacement. With ruptured implants, silicone or saline material that has leaked out of the implant and the scar tissue capsule also needs to be removed along with the in-tact shell.
You may also choose to remove your implants as a result of changing lifestyles or personal preferences about your appearance. A change in weight may make your implants look out of proportion, and larger implants may become uncomfortable if you have taken up a new physical activity such as running. Dr. Fichadia offers ancillary procedures such as breast fat grafting, and breast lift to reshape the breast more permanently after implant removal for those who want to see that kind of enhancement.
Breast Implant Removal for Breast Implant Illness
Dr. Fichadia also sees patients who feel that their implants are making them sick (breast implant illness), and desire implant removal and capsulectomy (explant surgery) for symptoms such as joint pain, hair loss, or fatigue. At the moment, there is no large-scale scientific evidence that clearly connects breast implants with these symptoms. Some women feel immediately better after the surgery and see sustained symptom relief, some women don’t and some women have temporary relief in their symptoms.
Usually, the patients who want their implants removed for breast implant illness have seen several doctors, and have had multiple tests done for their symptoms. Implant removal and capsulectomy is one further step to try to help with some of these symptoms. If desired, the lost volume can be restored with fat grafting in the right patient. Sometimes a breast lift is recommended to reshape the breasts.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE For Breast Implant Removal?
Anyone who has had breast augmentation performed and is physically healthy, and understands the changes in size and shape that happen after implant removal is a good candidate for the surgery. In addition, it is important to be able to rest and recover for the first 2 weeks.
DO ALL IMPLANTS NEED TO BE REMOVED EVENTUALLY?
The FDA reports that about one in five people who have breast implants will need to have their implants removed after a decade, however, that means that the majority of patients do not need their implants removed within the first 10 years. Most implants will not leak or rupture, however, it is common for the results of breast augmentation to change due to breastfeeding or the normal effects of aging. In general, the longer the implants have been in place, the higher the likelihood that they can rupture or cause other complications.
WHAT IS RECOVERY LIKE?
Recovery from breast implant removal depends on the extent of surgery. With a capsulectomy, Dr. Fichadia recommends minimizing strenuous activities for the first 2-3 weeks. Prescribed pain medications may be needed for the first 3-4 days. Dr. Fichadia will give you instructions on pain management and aftercare for your incisions. Some patients have drains in place for 2-3 days. Avoid heavy exercise as you heal. Most patients can expect to take about a week away from work to rest.
Learn More About Breast Implant Removal
For most patients who formerly sought to augment their natural breast tissue with a well-sized implant, Dr. Fichadia can remove breast implants no matter your reason for seeking the procedure. Contact our Portland office to schedule a consultation about breast implant removal today.
