Breast Implant Removal

Women have several different reasons to have a breast augmentation performed and one is to have breast implants surgically placed to enhance their bust size. There are also a few reasons why these same women choose to have the breast implant removed. These reasons can be a defect in the implants like leakage or ruptures, capsular contracture, implant displacement, change in the size of the implant and fear of the breast implant itself.

Since most breast implants were not made to last a lifetime some will develop problems along the way. When the plastic surgeon determines the reason for the removal of the breast implants they will discuss all options available to the patient to correct it. Most plastic surgeons will advise that they will need to perform another breast augmentation on the patient to remove the implant. Some times the surgery is easy and only the implant needs to be removed and other times the scar tissue that is caused from capsular contracture needs to be removed during this surgery as well. If the patient would like a different type or size of breast implant to be placed the plastic surgeon will do that after the removal of the old implants is finished.

Many times when a patient decides to not have implants put back into the breast pocket the plastic surgeon will suggest that a breast lift is needed. Many times when a breast implant is removed the breasts will appear puckered or misshapen and the breast lift surgery will give the patient a better overall appearance. This procedure can be done at the same time of the breast implant removal surgery.

During the breast removal surgery a plastic surgeon will make small incisions either in the natural fold of skin that is found underneath the breast or in the armpit area in a fold of skin. This helps to keep scarring down to a minimum.

The breast implant removal procedure may require an overnight stay for the patient in a hospital. This all depends on the plastic surgeon and of course how intricate the surgery was.