Breast Implant
Removal
Restore your natural breasts in Miami, FL
If you are no longer happy with the look of your augmented breasts, there is an option for you.
While many women remain pleased with their breast implants, you may find that having larger breasts no longer fits your lifestyle. Whether you have experienced a physical complication with your implant and decided they are no longer worth the trouble or have simply decided to restore your natural aesthetic, breast implant removal is available to help you love your breasts again.
PURE Plastic Surgery offers a wide selection of breast enhancement procedures, including breast implant removal. We understand that breast implants are not for everyone, and we want you to be pleased and comfortable with your choice. Our board-certified specialists will take the time to walk you through the process so you can feel confident in your body.
What is Breast Implant Removal?
Breast implant removal, or explant surgery, is a secondary breast procedure that permanently removes damaged or unwanted implants. With this technique, the implants are not replaced as they are in breast implant exchange or breast revision. Instead, your experienced plastic surgeon at PURE will restore the natural look of the breast by removing the implant, closing the breast pocket and tightening the surrounding tissues.
In some cases, a breast lift may be recommended to restore youthful perkiness to sagging or drooping breasts. Stretched areolas and enlarged nipples can also be addressed at this time.
What are some common reasons for Breast Implant Removal?
There are as many reasons to remove implants as there are to select breast implants in the first place. Some of these reasons include changes in your desired aesthetics and potential complications such as capsular contracture or implants that have ruptured.
Change in aesthetic desire
If you grew up with naturally small breasts, implants may have seemed like a dream. However, not every woman is ready for the aesthetic adjustment that comes from having larger, fuller breasts. If you find that you are no longer drawn to the appearance of your augmented breasts, whether you’ve had them for a year or decades, you can choose to remove them.
Physical Changes
Your natural breast tissue and fat will continue to change throughout your life, even after your breasts are fully developed. So, while your implants may have suited you when you were younger, natural aging, weight fluctuations, pregnancy and breastfeeding may now leave you with heavier breasts than you would like.
Interference with your activities
Large, full breasts can sometimes hinder athletic performance and other daily activities. If you decide that having implants no longer suits your lifestyle, implant removal may be right for you.
Deflation or Rupture
Today’s implants are stronger, more durable and more reliable than ever before; however, older implants have a greater chance of rupture or deflation. This occurs when the shell of a saline or silicone implant weakens and tears. While the inner materials of a silicone implant should stay inside the shell, the contents of a saline implant will be safely absorbed by the body, creating a noticeable deflation.
Capsular Contracture
Scar tissue develops in the body anytime a foreign object is introduced, say, a breast implant. Usually, this scar tissue presents no problem; however, the tissue can tighten and squeeze the implant, leading to a harder, distorted and painful breast. Surgery is necessary to fix this complication.
Implant Displacement
While implants are placed in a created breast pocket, they can shift out of position, creating complications like bottoming out (the implant falls to the bottom of the breast), double bubble deformity (the implant falls partially beneath the breast crease) or symmastia (the implants meet at the center of the chest).
Health-Related Complications
It is possible to essentially reject the implant or develop a rare collection of otherwise unexplained side effects. This is referred to as Breast Implant Illness, and while it is not a proven medical diagnosis, it can be corrected with implant removal.
Ideal candidates for Breast Implant Removal
Breast implant removal is ideal for anyone who is no longer happy with their implants or has a physical reason they need to be removed. Candidates for this procedure include those who:
- Are healthy and do not have any pre-existing health conditions that impair healing
- Have healed completely from their initial breast augmentation
- Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are not planning on becoming pregnant anytime in the near future
- Maintain a stable weight
- Are realistic in their expectations
- Desire this surgery for themselves
How is Breast Implant Removal performed?
You will have the opportunity to discuss the reasons why you are interested in removing your implants with our team during your in-person or virtual consultation. During this meeting, we will listen carefully to your concerns and examine your breast tissue to see if you could benefit from an additional breast lift or a minor procedure like areola or nipple reduction.
The process of breast implant removal is not significantly different from breast augmentation. This surgery is performed under general anesthesia in our state-of-the-art outpatient surgical facility in Miami, Florida, for your comfort and safety.
When possible, your implants will be removed through the same incisions they were inserted — especially if your implants were placed through the inframammary fold (breast crease). Your surgeon will inform you if an additional incision is required.
Once the incision is made and the implant is removed, your surgeon will stitch up the breast pocket and close the incision. This surgery can take anywhere between one and three hours, depending on the techniques used and the amount of correction needed to restore a natural appearance.
Breast Implant Removal recovery
Once you wake up in the recovery room, you will be cleared to return home. Make sure to have a friend with you to drive you to and from surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Since this is your second breast surgery, you are already familiar with what to expect, and many of the same limitations and recommendations apply this time around. You will be sore and may experience some tightness around the incisions.
Most patients take up to a week off of work and should avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for up to six weeks. Full recovery can take up to three months. After your surgery, you will be given aftercare, which includes pain management and looking for the following side effects:
- Excessive bleeding and bruising
- Redness
- Nerve
- Pain
- Swelling or infection
- Pus or discharge from the incision site
- Fever or nausea
Breast Implant Removal results
Following your surgery, you may be surprised to see the look of your breasts. They might even look deflated since you got so used to seeing yourself with implants. However, most women adjust to the natural look of their breasts, especially as the bruising and swelling subside.
Many of our patients are thrilled with their results and their un-augmented aesthetic. Should you ever decide you want implants again, you can undergo an additional implant procedure.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Do I need to replace my implants?
Will I need a Breast Lift after my Implant Removal?
What is Capsulectomy?
What can I expect from my experience at PURE?
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