Breast Implant Removal

There are many reasons why someone might want their breast implants removed. These include:nnDesire for a smaller or more natural breast size.nDiscomfort due to capsular contracture.nA ruptured or deflated silicone or saline breast implantnDesire for breast implant exchange

As with any type of surgical procedure, there are risks involved with breast implant removal. Risks may be reduced by seeking treatment from a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Power. Routine work up will be performed before surgery to assess your overall health and to make any recommendations (e.g. smoking cessation) before undergoing elective cosmetic surgery.

In preparation for your breast implant removal surgery, you may be asked to achieve the following things:nnObtain medical clearance from your family physician.nUndergo routine lab testing.nStop smoking.nAvoid taking aspirin, herbal supplements, or anti-inflammatory drugs that could increase the risk of bleeding.nEach individual case is unique, which is why our team will discuss these preparations for you prior to your procedure.

After scientific studies reported in well-regarded publications including the Institution of Medicine and New England Journal of Medicine, no connections between breast implants and autoimmune problems have been found. Saline implants can cause issues such as capsular contracture or leaks, but these conditions are rare.

While this has been a controversial topic since the 1980s, there is no scientific link between breast implants and autoimmune disease.

The risk of developing cellulitis - referring to a soft tissue infection - after breast implant surgery is very low, less than 1 percent in most studies. Given that a breast implant is a foreign body, an infection post-operatively may be more difficult to treat and could potentially lead to further complications. Smoking may increase risk of developing a post-op infection. It is important to quit smoking for at least one month pre- and post-operatively to lower this risk.

If you experience pain years after breast implant surgery, it is important to schedule urgent follow up with your plastic surgeon. While it could be related to muscle strain, pain could also be a sign of capsular contracture, leak or rupture, or even breast implant-associated ALCL in extremely rare cases. Your plastic surgeon will perform a clinical examination and determine the appropriate work up.

Complications from breast implants are rare in patients who are otherwise healthy and appropriately worked up before surgery through basic blood work and clinical examination. Some studies have reported the risk of death from general anesthetic at 1 in 185,000. Serious complications following breast augmentation are rare and should be discussed with your plastic surgeon in detail before surgery.

Infections are rare following breast implant surgery. When infections do occur, they generally occur in the early healing phase. It is extremely rare for a breast implant to become infected years later.

Once healed following breast implant surgery, there are long-term risks of capsular contracture and leak or rupture. Long-term health problems following breast augmentation are very rare.

Some signs of a breast implant leak include change in your breast size or shape, pain or tenderness, swelling, and increasing firmness. There may be no signs of rupture of a silicone cohesive gel – the so-called gummy bear – implant which may be detected on routine breast imaging.

Breast implants, similar to natural breast tissue, may sag over time. The risk of developing ptosis – or sagginess – is greater the larger the implant. It is important to consider the risk of sagginess when selecting implant size. It is also recommended to maintain a healthy and stable body weight to lower risk of further ptosis. Wearing a supportive bra the majority of the time while you are awake may lower risk of developing further ptosis.

Breast implants are long-lasting, but they are not intended to be lifetime devices. They are warranted by the implant manufacturer for 10 years following implantation against device failure (e.g. leak or rupture).

Preparation for breast implant removal will be explained in detail during your consultation and pre-op appointments. Your plastic surgeon may order basic blood work and potentially further imaging if indicated to ensure that you are otherwise healthy to undergo an elective general anesthetic. You should also fill prescriptions in advance for your recovery period and follow your surgeon’s recommendations regarding holding any medications or supplements that may increase risk of bleeding. You should avoid smoking for at least one month before and after surgery to lower risk of infection and other healing complications. Refrain from eating or drinking beginning at midnight before your surgery.

Breast implant removal starts at $5280 and may vary depending on the extent of surgery. For example, removal of ruptured silicone implants may be more involved than ruptured saline ones. Some patients may wish to proceed with a breast lift at time of implant removal depending on their aesthetic goals. A detailed surgical quote will be provided after consultation with Dr. Power.

Breast implant illness (BII) refers to a cluster of self-reported symptoms following breast augmentation, including fatigue, joint pain, and memory difficulties. Reports are rare and there is no diagnostic test for BII, however it remains a hot topic within plastic surgery research.

BIA ALCL is diagnosed by testing relevant cell, tissue, or fluid samples. It is important to remember that BIA ALCL is rare and that the implants associated with this disease are no longer in use.

Capsular contracture is not common. Research shows that capsular contracture occurs in about one-sixth of all breast implant patients.

Some early signs of capsular contracture include pain, asymmetry, increasing firmness, or a tightening sensation in the breasts. You may also notice that the breasts appear rounder or higher on the chest.

It is typically recommended that patients with silicone implants have MRI screenings three years after their initial surgery and every other year following this initial screening. This is intended to check for ruptures or tears in the implant.

Like all surgeries, there are some risks involved in removing breast implants. However, the procedure is generally considered safe for the appropriate candidates. During a consultation, Dr. Power will review your health history and other factors to determine whether the surgery is safe for you.

A type of lymphoma known as BIA ALCL has been connected to Allergan Biocell textured implants. These implants were used in a small percentage of all breast implant patients, have been recalled, and are no longer in use.

Allergan Biocell textured implants have been recalled. If you have these implants, you should schedule a consultation for breast implant removal. These recalled implants represent a small minority of all implants used in recent years.

Implant bottoming, or bottoming out, is an informal term that refers to breast implants descending too low on the chest. Typically, this would reference implants that drop below the breast crease, causing a bottom-heavy appearance.

You should have your breast implants replaced if you experience complications such as leaks, ruptures, or capsular contracture. While most implants are FDA approved for about 10-20 years, replacing them after this period is not always necessary.

Capsular contracture is the result of scar tissue, so the symptoms will not resolve if left untreated.