Breast augmentation is usually a rewarding experience for many, but sometimes, things change. If you're finding that your breast implants no longer suit your body or lifestyle or if you're experiencing discomfort, you might think about having them removed.
Mark D. Epstein, MD, FACS, offers this breast procedure at his Long Island clinic to help you feel comfortable and confident in your appearance once again. Whether it's about aesthetics or health, we're here to support your decision.
Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
There are several reasons why you might want to have your implants removed. These reasons could be:
- You have a ruptured/deflated implant and do not want to replace it.
- You have capsule contracture but do not want to replace it.
- You want to return to a completely natural state.
- You have gained weight, and now you have more than enough natural breast tissue and no longer need breast implants.
- You have systemic symptoms that you believe are related to your breast implants. Note: breast implant illness (BII) has not been substantiated, so we can’t guarantee that removing your implants will relieve you from your symptoms.
Breast Implant Removal Surgery Process
You’ll begin with a detailed consultation with Dr. Epstein, where he can learn about your implant history and your goals in removing them. He performs implant removal (explantectomy) on an outpatient basis, with options for local, twilight, or general anesthesia, all of which he will discuss with you before your surgery date.
If you just want the implants removed without replacement and you have developed capsular contracture (a thickening of the tissue around the implant), it's often not necessary to remove the capsule unless it's calcified, which is rare. Dr. Epstein uses the same incisions made during your initial implant surgery, minimizing additional scarring.
In cases where a breast lift is necessary to enhance the breast shape post-removal, Dr. Epstein makes careful incisions around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease—this is known as the "Lollipop scar." Through these incisions, he adjusts the tissue and skin to elevate the breasts to a more youthful position.
Typically, Dr. Epstein does not use drains unless a capsulectomy (removal of the capsule) is also performed without replacing the implants. If drains are required, he secures them in place to facilitate fluid drainage from the surgical site. These may be removed within a few days to a week after surgery. Discomfort is usually minimal after implant removal surgery, and the removal of drains is generally painless.
What Other Kinds of Breast Augmentation Complications Can Be Treated With Implant Reversal?
Breast implant reversal, which refers to the removal of breast implants, is often considered for treating several complications related to breast augmentation. Here are the most common conditions that can be addressed through this procedure:
- Capsular Contracture: This occurs when the scar tissue that naturally forms around the implant becomes unusually hard and tightens. This can cause discomfort, pain, and aesthetic changes, making the breast look unnatural.
- Implant Rupture or Deflation: Over time, breast implants can rupture or deflate, especially saline implants. Implant reversal is necessary to remove and possibly replace the damaged implants.
- Implant Displacement: Sometimes, implants may shift from their original position, causing asymmetry and an unbalanced appearance. Removal or replacement can help restore a symmetrical look.
- Infection: Although rare, infections that do not resolve with antibiotics may require the removal of implants to clear the infection completely.
- Breast Implant Illness (BII): Some patients experience systemic symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and allergies, which they attribute to their breast implants. Removal of the implants is considered by some as a potential way to alleviate these symptoms.
Breast implant reversal can address these issues, relieving you of physical discomfort and emotional dissatisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I Have My Implants Removed, Will My Breasts Look Like They Did Prior to Breast Augmentation?
It’s impossible to predict exactly what your breasts will look like after we remove the implants. In some cases, we can make an educated estimation, but that is on a case-by-case basis.
The longer your implants have been in place, the less likely your breasts will resemble the way they looked before you got the implants. Implants lift your breasts off the chest wall and stretch them, and your breasts also age naturally over time. This means they usually won’t look the way you remember them before your breast augmentation surgery.
Will I Need a Breast Lift?
When we remove breast implants, there is a potential for the skin and superficial tissue to be too loose to “bounce back.” In such a situation, you may have significant drooping and loss of upper breast fullness. There are surgical options that allow us to improve the appearance of your breasts after removal of implants.
If your breasts have stretched significantly, a breast lift can restore some volume and height. This will involve a scar around your areola and usually a vertical scar from the lower areola to the lower breast crease. Both scars usually heal quite nicely. The quality of the scar depends greatly upon your own tissue biology of healing. Depending upon the amount of excess skin, the procedure may require an incision in the lower crease of the breast, which can also scar.
Is Fat Transfer an Option?
We can use natural fat from your abdomen, flanks, and/or thighs and transfer it to the upper portion of your breasts to restore some of the shape after explantation. This is a simple procedure and can greatly improve the appearance of your breasts. Not all of the fat will survive, so we put more than necessary into the breast at surgery.
Are There Any Risks to Having Breast Implants Removed?
Breast implant removal carries some of the same risks as breast augmentation. These include bleeding, infection, anesthesia risks, diminished nipple sensation, and poor scarring. Changes in nipple sensation are extremely unusual, as removing an implant generally doesn’t put the nerves at risk (unless we’re also performing an additional surgery, such as a breast lift). During your consultation, Dr. Epstein will discuss potential risks based on the details of your case.
If I Have My Implants Removed, Can I Get Implants Again at a Later Date?
Breast implant surgery may occur at any point after implant removal. When breast implants are removed due to infection or capsular contracture, there may be an increased risk of tissue hardening after the revision procedure. However, most implant revisions are straightforward and successful when conducted by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.
Sections – Revision of Breast Augmentation
- Capsule contracture
- Explantation (Removal of implants)
- Implant malposition/bottoming out of the breast
- Bio-materials Used in Revision of Breast Augmentation – Strattice, GalaFLEX and GalaFORM
- Implant size change
- Change from textured to smooth implants
- Changing from saline to silicone gel filled implants
- Adding a breast lift later
Prev Chapter: Important Things to Consider When You Decide to Move Forward With Breast Augmentation »
Next Chapter: ALCL and Breast Implant Illness »
Chapters – Breast Augmentation Guide
- Motiva Breast Implants
- Intro to Breast Augmentation
- Five key decisions you need to make
- One-Day Recovery Breast Augmentation
- Anesthesia – General, Sedation or Local?
- Breast Lift (Mastopexy) with/without Implants or Fat
- What else should I know about breast augmentation?
- Important Things to Consider When You Decide to Move Forward With Breast Augmentation
- Revision of breast augmentation
- ALCL and Breast Implant Illness
Schedule A Consultation
Contact our Long Island office at 631.689.1100 for more information regarding breast implant removal or replacement.
