— Verve Patient
Breast Implant Removal
What Is Breast Implant Removal?
This surgery is performed in order to remove old implants. We often also need to remove the scar tissue that forms around the implant called the capsule. If your implants are silicone and they are ruptured, we will also remove any loose silicone that has come into contact with breast tissue.
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Why Get Your Implants Removed?
- Some women feel as though they no longer desire to have breast implants.
- Some women have rupture implants and would like the removed – often they would like a repeat augmentation, but some women prefer to return to their natural look prior to augmentation.
- Some women have capsular contracture or over scarring of the tissue that forms around the implants. This can be painful if it becomes very severe. Often, they would like a repeat augmentation, but some women prefer to return to their natural look prior to augmentation.
- Some women are concerned with Breast Implant Illness.
- Breast implant illness is a term used to refer to a wide range of symptoms.
- Some patient reported symptoms include joint & muscle pain, chronic fatigue, memory & concentration problems, sleep disturbances, rash and skin problems, anxiety depression, headaches, hair loss & GI distress.
- In many cases, removal of the implants resolves the BII symptoms; however, this does not occur in every case.
- BII is not currently recognized as an official medical diagnosis. It is poorly understood at this time.
- There are no diagnostic tests or diagnostic criteria to diagnose BII.
- Patients may be at higher risk of BII if they have a personal or family history of autoimmune conditions, allergies and other conditions such as IBS, migraines, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
- You should be at or close to your ideal weight, with a BMI less than 35.
BMI
- The best candidates are non-smokers. Smoking increases the chance of complications including nipple and skin death.
- You are no longer planning on breast feeding.
The Procedures
- This is an outpatient surgery performed at either the hospital or a surgery center. You will be asleep, under general anesthesia.
- Prior to surgery, Dr. Gupta will draw his incision on your breasts according to his surgical plan.
- Surgery time varies depending on breast size and shape as well as if silicone implants are ruptured. Time can also vary depending on if additional procedures will be performed at the same time. The average duration is between 2-3hours.
- The implant and capsule (scar tissue) will be removed in its entirety – we attempt full removal, also known as en bloc resection. En bloc resection is not always necessary or indicated, especially if it can cause harm to the underlying structures including bone and lung tissue.
- After the removal of the implant and scar tissue – the cavity will be thoroughly cleaned.
- 1 surgical drain will be needed per side.
- Depending on your desired outcome, different procedures may be performed in order to sculpt the best breast shape.
- If you no longer desire breast implants, a mastopexy or breast lift is typically indicated.
- If you would like to have new implants placed, we can select the best implants for you.
- Often a combination of a breast lift and repeat augmentation are indicated for ideal results.
- The tissue will be closed in multiple layers, ensure there is strong internal support and proper wound closure.
- Incisions will be covered with dressings.
- You will be placed in a compression bra and will continue to wear some compression on the breasts for 6 weeks.
The Incisions
Depending on your prior incisions and if you have capsular contractor or implant rupture, there are a variety of incisions which may be indicated in order to remove your implants. Including:
Anchor Shaped Incisions
These will be required if you are also having a breast lift
Inframammary Incision
If you are not having a breast lift, this is the most common incision needed in order to remove the implant and capsule
Procedure Video
Title screen for Procedure – Breast Implant Removal (Capsular Contracture)
Dr. Gupta speaking to the camera like an interview
There are times when you have to remove the breast implants. That may be patients’ desire to not have the augmented volume anymore or sometimes the condition what is called capsular contracture can occur.
Female holding an implant in her hand
Every breast implant forms scar tissue around the implant which is called the capsule. In some patients, the capsule becomes
Patient touching her right breast with right hand
very firm and tight and can be slightly uncomfortable
Dr. Gupta performing a capsular contracture procedure in the operating room
and that is the reason we like to remove the implant and at the same time remove the capsule layer as well. We perform unblock resection which means the capsule and the implant, they are removed together and completely. Patients have many choices
Dr. Gupta in a consultation appointment with patient
after the breast implants are removed.
Illustrations showing female patients on the right side with written removal options on the left side
They can choose to have the new implants placed, especially if the original implant was removed because there was a rupture of the implant. They can also choose to have a breast lift procedure where we try to fill the volume without the implant. Some patients also choose to remove the implants without any additional procedure and that’s fine as well. And finally there is the option of fat injections where we liposuction a little bit of fat from another part of the body and we can inject that fat into the breast to give some enhancement back.
Before and after photos of implant removal patients
Dr. Gupta in a consultation appointment with patient
Patients can find comfort in the fact that the implants can be removed and they can be removed safely
Dr. Gupta speaking to the camera like an interview
and they will still have more options to enhance the volume of the breast and to reshape the breast.
Closing title screen with Verve Plastic Surgery logo
Call today (760) 436-7600
FAQs
You will experience some changes in nipple sensation. Most patients report a slightly diminished sensation long term; however, we cannot predict which patients will experience this.
Typically drains are not required for breast lift alone. If you are combining multiple procedure or undergoing a breast implant revision, you may require drains.
No. A breast lift or mastopexy is not covered by insurance.
A capsule is scar tissue that forms around the breast implant. It is a completely normal process for the body to undergo and not harmful.
- Breast implant illness is a term used to refer to a wide range of symptoms.
- Some patient reported symptoms include joint & muscle pain, chronic fatigue, memory & concentration problems, sleep disturbances, rash and skin problems, anxiety depression, headaches, hair loss & GI distress.
- In many cases, removal of the implants resolves the BII symptoms; however, this does not occur in every case.
- BII is not currently recognized as an official medical diagnosis. It is poorly understood at this time.
- There are no diagnostic tests or diagnostic criteria to diagnose BII.
- Patients may be at higher risk of BII if they have a personal or family history of autoimmune conditions, allergies and other conditions such as IBS, migraines, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia.
Request an Appointment
Call (760) 436-7600 or fill out the form to schedule an appointment to discuss your needs in detail