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Breast augmentation can provide beautiful results for many decades, but there are many reasons why women may choose to remove their implants after a certain period of time. In some cases, patients decide they no longer want a large bust size, while other individuals opt to return to their natural breast volume for their own peace of mind. Dr. Neal Goldberg, our board-certified plastic surgeon, understands that every woman has her own personal reasons for considering breast implant removal. He is ready to address all of your questions about the potential risks and benefits of the procedure in a consultation.
Explantation surgery, or breast implant removal, is a complex surgery that should only be performed by an experienced reconstructive surgeon. Keep reading below to learn more about breast implant removal options and what you can expect after the procedure.
Is Breast Implant Removal Right For Me?
Discussing your wishes and overall goals with a plastic surgeon is the first step in determining whether breast implant removal is the best treatment option for you. Although satisfaction rates after breast augmentation are among the highest for any cosmetic procedure, patients may begin to desire removal of their breast implants due to:
- Changing tastes and preferences over time: Whether due to aging, personal tastes, or societal ideals of beauty that have evolved, some women simply no longer feel a need to have breast implants.
- Complications associated with implants: Visible implant edges (rippling) or the formation of scar tissue may prompt patients to remove their implants altogether rather than undergo the process of revision surgery.
- Health concerns: Some patients feel their breast implants may be impacting their health, or may take preemptive action out of an abundance of caution. Whether these issues are real or imagined, breast implant removal can help restore peace of mind for concerned patients.
- Financial motivations: In certain cases wherein a minor complication presents itself, patients may prefer to remove their breast implants rather than deal with the costs associated with future revision surgery.
- Weight gain: Extra weight gain over the years can cause the breasts to look bigger or more top-heavy than desired. For individuals affected by an excessive breast size due to weight gain after breast augmentation, explantation surgery can provide a more manageable breast shape.
If you’re unhappy with your current breast implants but don’t necessarily want to remove them altogether, breast revision surgery is another option that can allow you to exchange or update your implants according to your wishes. Dr. Goldberg will also talk to you about procedures that can help address stretched skin and improve the appearance of your breasts after your implants have been removed, such as breast lift surgery and fat transfer.
Breast Implant Illness (BII)
Dr. Goldberg strongly believes in maximizing patient education before breast surgery so each person is well-informed before making the decision to get breast implants. In recent years, concerns about a condition known as breast implant illness (BII) are not uncommon.
Breast implant illness refers to a variety of negative symptoms seemingly experienced after breast augmentation surgery, from cognitive issues like memory loss and focus problems to general fatigue and frequent headaches. If you’re considering breast implants, you should always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon so you’re fully aware of the procedure’s risks and limitations; however, it’s important to women who already have implants to stay vigilant to the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Rashes
- Headaches
- Anxiety and depression
- Dry skin and eyes
- Brain fog and concentration issues
These concerns can mimic the symptoms of other medical and health conditions, such as menopause, thyroid problems, and autoimmune disorders, making diagnosis of breast implant illness a process of elimination. The condition is rare and not yet understood or thoroughly researched at this time, but plastic surgeons and doctors acknowledge that adverse reactions may result from an autoimmune response to breast implants in the body. Therefore, removing a patient’s breast implants has been very effective in vastly reducing symptoms, or even eliminating them altogether.
Dr. Goldberg is committed to listening to your concerns and creating a treatment plan to help you enjoy a more comfortable and pain-free life. He can identify the best approach to remove your breast implants and even reconstruct a proportional, natural-looking breast shape after explantation.
How Is The Breast Implant Removal Procedure Performed?
Each breast implant removal procedure is tailored to a patient’s anatomical needs and concerns, so no two explantation surgeries are the same. That said, the procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia. The amount of time it takes to perform the surgery varies depending on whether the entire implant capsule is being removed (termed a “capsulectomy”), the timing of your implant removal, the extent of scar tissue present, and other factors. Generally speaking, the cost of breast implant removal is approximately $9,000, which includes all typical cosmetic surgery fees.
En Bloc Capsulectomy
Dr. Goldberg typically uses the en bloc approach to remove breast implants, which simply means the implant and surrounding capsule are extracted as a whole. This technique helps withdraw as much scar tissue as can be safely removed, while minimizing the risk of leakage from the implant. Dr. Goldberg will assess your anatomical needs to determine whether an en bloc capsulectomy is the most optimal technique for you, but certain patients — including those who have a thin implant capsule or who have scar tissue that adheres too closely to their ribcage — may not be candidates for an en bloc capsulectomy.
What Can I Expect From The Breast Implant Removal Recovery Period?
After explant surgery, feelings of discomfort, tenderness, swelling, and bruising are to be expected and should resolve as you heal. A compression garment will be worn immediately after the procedure to reduce swelling and improve blood flow. Following a certain period of time, Dr. Goldberg may advise you to wear a supportive bra to help shape your new breasts. Patients often return to non-strenuous work within one to two weeks and Dr. Goldberg will monitor your progress in follow-up appointments. Exercise and aerobic activity should be avoided for at least four to six weeks.
Are There Alternatives to Breast Implant Removal?
No matter your motivations for extracting your breast implants, there are alternative procedures available to correct any complications and restore your original breast shape. Potential treatment options include:
- Breast Implant Removal with Breast Lift: Removing your breast implants after years (or even decades) of use can prevent your breast contours from conforming back to their natural shape, leaving the breasts looking flat, elongated, or “deflated.” If you don’t have adequate breast skin elasticity after your implants are removed, Dr. Goldberg can speak with you about undergoing a breast lift after the explantation procedure. This can restore and even improve your original curves, giving you a rejuvenated appearance in the breasts after implant removal.
- Breast Revision: Breast revision, often known as a secondary breast augmentation, provides an opportunity to correct and repair any complications with your implants while eliminating the need for removal. This revisionary procedure can be ideal for addressing rippling, hardened scar tissue, or implant rupture. If desired, a newer set of implants can be utilized to replace your original devices. Depending on your concerns and overall goals, breast revision can be an alternative treatment option to breast revision.
- Breast Reconstruction: Breast reconstruction offers an opportunity to restore natural-looking breasts without the need for implants. The process of rebuilding the breasts, often after cancer removal surgery or mastectomy, may involve techniques like fat grafting or other methods of tissue transfer. This is generally a very involved process and Dr. Goldberg can speak with you about your options after evaluating your needs in person.
Dr. Neal Goldberg is highly skilled in breast implant removal and can customize an optimal treatment plan to remove your implants. If you’re ready to schedule a consultation, please contact our NYC-area office to book an appointment or to speak to a member of our team.