Breast Implant Removal
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, London
Breast Implant Removal Procedure
Breast implants may be removed for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is simply due to the individual feeling that they have reached the end of their breast implant journey, and that the next chapter in their life will be without implants. Implants might also be removed due to issues that have arisen from their implants being present, such as capsular contracture (hardening of the scar tissue, or capsule, that surrounds the implants) or a tear in the implant shell (implant rupture). Finally, even if there is nothing that has changed in regards to the implants, after any period of time, the breasts themselves will have changed with age, and sometimes with the changes of pregnancy, breast feeding and weight fluctuations.
“My choice of Surgen in the end was Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgen, Marc Pacifico. I had two consultations with him before my op. Marc is charming, listens well and truly understood what I wanted.”
What does it involve?
Removing the implants is normally performed under a general anaesthetic (with you asleep). If no other additional procedure is to be performed, then the implants are usually removed via the original incision under the breast crease (or if the original incision was elsewhere, a new incision in the breast crease might be required). The implant pocket is treated appropriately for your situation and the wounds are carefully closed.
What about the breast implant capsule?
If the implant capsule has become hard or painful, then it is common to remove all or part of the capsule during the procedure – a capsulectomy. If, however, your breasts are soft, and the capsules are soft and thin, there is no indication to remove the capsule in many cases. In fact, sometimes more problems can arise with bleeding, for example, from trying to unnecessarily remove a soft, thin capsule. Finally, there is now scientific evidence that in people who perceive they have symptoms from the presence of breast implants, leaving the capsule behind when removing the implants does not affect their perception of symptom relief (please refer to the blogs on breast implant illness for more information on this topic).
Will I also need a breast lift (mastopexy)?
The decision to undergo a breast lift at the same time as implant removal or, alternatively, in the future will depend on your feelings about your breasts, the amount of skin excess you have, the nipple position and other features. Implant removal and mastopexy is a procedure Mr Pacifico frequently performs and is an approach he often teaches other plastic surgeons about.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of implant removal include the removal of the implant itself, reducing the size and weight of your breasts, and, in some cases, improving pain and discomfort of the breasts, as well as achieving an aesthetic change to the breasts.
How long does the surgery take?
The length of surgery very much depends on what else might be required in addition to the implants themselves being removed – such as work on the capsule or the mastopexy. Therefore the operation might range from 30-mins to 3-hrs.
What is the recovery period?
As for most plastic surgery procedures, the first 6-weeks are key to recovery, with the first two weeks when you need to be most careful. The extent of the recovery will also be related to the additional procedures that might have been performed. The final appearance of the breasts may take 6-12 months to assess.
What are the success rates?
Patients who decide to have their implants removed are normally very satisfied with the surgery.
What are the possible complications?
The risks of implant removal will be those that are common for all plastic surgery operations, such as bleeding, infection, problematic scars and the need for further surgery.
Specific complications also include seroma formation (the build up of wound fluid that requires drainage in the clinic), contour irregularities to the breast due to internal scar tissue, as well as an unpredictable final appearance of the breasts. Unusually, in those with especially thin skin, there is a risk of damage to the skin from the inside.
Should other procedures be performed, such as a breast lift, then additional complications that are associated with those procedures will be relevant.
Want to learn more about breast implant removal in Tunbridge Wells Kent?
To learn more about breast implant removal, please contact us.
Make an Enquiry