Breast Implant Removal

Women with breast implants may choose to have their implants removed at any point. There could be several reasons for this. A patient might have experienced implant rupture, deflation, breast implant illness, or capsular contracture. Or, a woman may choose not to have the implants exchanged due to changes in lifestyle, perception of image, or difference in financial ability. Whatever the reason, breast implant removal can be performed to restore the natural breast appearance.

Before and After Photos

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Who is a candidate for breast implant removal?

A breast implant removal is ideal for anyone seeking to remove their current implants, whether it be due personal preference or medical necessity.

What are my options after breast implant removal?

Implant removal only

Women with small implants or women who only had their implants for a short amount of time and still retain skin and tissue elasticity may be able to undergo implant removal only if the implants were placed behind the muscle. With this technique, an incision is made under the breast, the implant is removed, and the incisions are closed. In situations where there is a complication with the scar tissue or fear that the scar tissue may become a problem, a capsulectomy is also performed (see below).

Implant removal with breast lift

Women often experience some degree of ptosis (breast sagging) once the implant is removed. This can be even more pronounced when the implants removed are very large or when they were in the chest for a long period or if the implants were placed in front of the muscle. Traditionally, the extra weight of the implants places more stress on the skin and tissues, causing them to stretch. This is in addition to normal age-related laxity.

An implant removal with a breast lift is performed to remove the unwanted implant and tighten the skin and tissues to restore an elevated and perky appearance to the breasts. Breast lift surgery, formally known as mastopexy, does not significantly alter the size of the breasts; however, it creates a more compact and youthful shape.

Additional incisions may be required for a breast lift to successfully remove excess skin. The nipple-areola complex (NAC) can also be repositioned and resized with this technique.

Implant removal with fat grafting

Some women decide they are no longer pleased with the look of their large implants or experience complications that make them wary of implants. Breast implant removal with fat grafting is an option for women with good skin elasticity who do not want synthetic implants but desire additional fullness. Fat grafting to the breasts, also known as natural breast augmentation, uses your body’s natural fat to increase volume.

Here, fat is removed from the various areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, or waist via liposuction, and then injected into the breast to increase fullness This option allows for a natural and subtle breast size increase.

Fat grafting to the breast is a long-lasting solution that is ideal for women who do not want to worry about potential complications with implants, such as rupture, displacement, or capsular contracture.

Implant removal with fat grafting and breast lift

Implant removal with fat grafting and breast lift is performed when women desire additional fullness but also experience breast sagging. This combination procedure revitalizes your breast contour and helps create a more youthful breast.

What is En Bloc Capsulectomy?

Scar tissue formation is normal after any foreign object is placed in the body. Therefore, scar tissue will form around implants after breast augmentation. Many times, this scar tissue remains soft and does not create complications; however, in some circumstances, it can harden and tighten around the implant, a problem known as capsular contracture.

In cases of capsular contracture or when an implant has ruptured, it may be important to remove this scar tissue in addition to the implant. The removal of this tissue is known as a capsulectomy.

If you would benefit from the removal of scar tissue, or capsulectomy, the proper method will be determined during your consultation with Dr. Bandy. There are several capsulectomy techniques, including partial capsulectomy, total capsulectomy, and en bloc capsulectomy.

En bloc capsulectomy is an advanced technique that removes the breast implant (whether it is intact or has experienced rupture) and the surrounding scar tissue capsule in one piece.

Total capsulectomy removes the implant then all of the capsule, but it may be done in pieces if the capsule is very thin or otherwise compromised.

By removing the all of the tissue capsule and implant, an en bloc or total capsulectomy:

An en bloc or total capsulectomy often requires a longer incision (along the inframammary fold) and may result in a slightly longer recovery period; however, it significantly benefits women experiencing capsular contracture, implant rupture, or any other tissue-related concern. Additionally, since all scar tissue is removed, there should be no tissue-related aesthetic concerns following implant removal.

Pre-Operation

How can I prepare?

A patient can prepare for a breast implant removal procedure by beginning a vitamin protocol (provided by Dr. Bandy) to aid their body’s healing. We recommend accomplishing all house chores prior to surgery that would require a patient to lift anything over 5 pounds or push or pull anything heavy. During your pre-operative appointment (about 2 weeks prior to your surgery) our nurses will go over all necessary steps to prepare for your surgery.

What if i am sick before?

If a patient is noted to be sick prior to a procedure, they should contact Dr. Bandy’s office immediately to discuss the best way to move forward.

Will anesthesia be administered?

A breast implant removal procedure can be performed under general or a local anesthesia. Whether a patient is a good candidate for local anesthesia will depend on a number of factors. If the patient is an anxious person, or if the patient is having implant removal performed at the same time as another procedure, or if a capsulectomy is being performed, general anesthesia is typically required.

Is painful?

Typically, breast implant removal is well-tolerated and minimally painful. Patients are prescribed pain medication to minimize discomfort experienced.

What should i expect after?

How long before i see results?

Results of breast implant removal can be seen immediately, however, it takes 4 to 6 weeks or longer until the swelling decreases.

Is scarring expected after?

Breast implant removal is typically performed through an incision in the natural breast crease under the breasts (inframammary fold). The incision length can vary depending on whether the capsule is removed.

Can i drive myself home after?

It is always recommended to have someone assist you in getting home or to your recovery center. If a patient does not have anyone that can assist them at home, we do have a post-operative recovery center that we work with that will pick up the patient from our facility.

Should i avoid touching the area after?

A patient will have surgical tapes covering their incisions and these tapes will remain in place for a few weeks. It is recommended that a patient not touch the incisions until they are healed.

What activity should i refrain from after?

Patients are typically required to avoid lifting more than 5 lbs for the first couple of weeks after surgery, and avoid lifting more than 15 lbs up to 4 weeks after surgery. Also, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for at least 4 weeks.

Do i need to take any medication after?

A patient is usually prescribed an antibiotic and a pain medication. If a patient is undergoing a general anesthesia, sometimes they are prescribed an anti-nausea medication to combat any feelings of nausea that some patients experience after having a general anesthesia.

How much is breast implant removal?

What is the average cost?

The cost for breast implant removal surgery in Newport Beach is dependent upon the complexity of the case. In order to obtain an accurate price for your surgery we advise meeting with Dr. Bandy for a consultation.

Are there financing options?

The patient has multiple financing options. For example, the patient can pay for the surgery with a credit card, and make monthly payments back to their credit card. Additionally, CareCredit is a financing company specific for cosmetic surgery; patients can apply for CareCredit, and there are multiple options for CareCredit. Other financing options are also available. Sometimes, patients opt to make payments directly to the office. This is a prepayment plan where a patient would pay until he or she pays the entire balance for the surgery; then, they would have their surgery.

Patient testimonial

Oh my goodness! What can I say! Dr. Bandy and her team were absolutely amazing! My results are above and beyond anything I expected! I would recommend Dr bandy and her office to anyone wanting a surgeon who really cares about each patient! I have no regrets!

– Donata M.

We are here to listen and address your concerns.

– Dr. Amy Bandy, Over 20 Years of Experience

What is breast implant removal recovery like?

How long is breast implant removal recovery?

Recovery time depends on the extent of the implant removal, how much capsule work needs to be done, as well as if a lift is performed. Typically, recovery from implant removal with or without a lift is much easier than the initial breast augmentation.

Is there a post-operative recovery facility that you recommend?

We do have a post operative recovery facility that we refer our patients to in Orange County, CA and Los Angeles, CA. In these situations, they will be picked up by the post operative care facility from our recovery room and brought to the recovery center where they are recovered overnight, and then brought back the next day for their follow up appointment.

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