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Breast Implant Removal

Many factors can contribute to a woman’s desire to have her breast implants removed. For some, it’s personal preferences; for others, it’s a decision influenced by negative symptoms or complications. At DFW Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery in Southlake, TX, we offer breast implant removal for women who have undergone a breast augmentation. If you’re interested in this procedure, we can customize a surgical treatment plan that meets your needs.

What Is Breast Implant Removal Surgery?

Breast implant removal surgery is a procedure during which implants that were inserted during a previous breast augmentation are removed. We can design surgical treatment plans to meet the needs of patients who want to achieve different body proportions, replace their old implants with a newer option, or are experiencing negative symptoms from the presence of implants in their bodies.

There are several reasons why women choose to proceed with breast implant removal surgery. Regardless of why you want your breast implants removed, you must find an experienced surgeon with skill and precision who can ensure an excellent postoperative outcome.

Reasons To Consider Breast Implant Removal

A Breast Augmentation Refresh

Some women choose to undergo this procedure to have their older implants removed and replaced with a newer option. Women who go this route can choose a new implant in a different size, shape, and material per their preferences. Implants last for a long time, but they won’t last forever and typically need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.

Women who need new implants or who are simply unsatisfied with the current size of their implants, whether they’re too large or too small, can undergo this procedure and replace their current implants with smaller or larger ones to achieve their desired look.

Implant Inconvenience

Some women undergo this procedure because they no longer want to deal with the inconveniences, costs, or health issues associated with implants. Large breasts can make exercising a challenge and can cause back pain. They can also make mammograms more difficult to complete and require that women undergo more extensive exams to obtain an accurate image of the breast tissue beneath the implant.

Implant Complications

In some cases, women may experience implant complications, including necrosis (in which dead tissue develops around the implant), an infection, bleeding, or buildup of calcium. Implants can also cause hard scar tissue formation after a breast augmentation, resulting in pain and discomfort. When breast implants are removed, any scar tissue will be removed with them.

Additionally, the implant’s exterior shell can break down, which causes a silicone leak and scar tissue hardening around the implant. In this case, breast implant removal surgery is necessary to correct this condition. Implants can also fold or deflate and must be removed or replaced.

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA–ALCL)

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma is a rare and slow-moving cancer of the immune system that can affect women with implants. BIA-ALCL is a cancer, but it’s not breast cancer and affects fewer than 10% of patients with implants each year. It can typically be cured by removing the implant and surrounding scar tissue.

Breast Implant Illness(BII)

Breast implant illness is a condition that is very difficult to diagnose officially but refers to a collection of similar symptoms reported by patients with implants. Breast implant illness can begin affecting women at any point after undergoing breast augmentation.

While there currently isn’t enough data to make BII an official condition or to even understand how many women it affects, social media pages have reported over 50,000 women with implants suffering from specific symptoms that dissipated once the implants are removed. The most common symptoms of breast implant illness include the following:

  • Fatigue
  • Chest pain
  • Chronic pain
  • Headaches
  • Sleep issues
  • Depression
  • Rash
  • Chills
  • Cognitive issues
  • Hair loss

En Bloc Capsulectomy

En Bloc Capsulectomy is a procedure that refers to the removal of breast implants and the surrounding capsule of scar tissue encasing the implant in one piece. Though it’s performed very infrequently, the procedure can be scheduled after a complication with a previous breast implant surgery. En Bloc Capsulectomy requires a long incision and results in a noticeable scar and is only appropriate in a select few cases, including when an implant has ruptured.

Customizing Your Procedure

When you undergo implant removal, you can customize your procedure per your needs. Some women will choose to replace their older implants with newer implants, while others choose to have them removed entirely. Those who remove their implants often opt for a breast lift to correct any loose skin or tissue and tighten the remaining area to enhance breast aesthetics and lift the breasts higher on the chest wall.

Our surgeon can resize the areolas if necessary to ensure they complement your new breast proportions. Women with saline implants will have the option of having them deflated. After implant deflation, the surgeon will wait two to three months for the breast skin to contract. Patients will then have the option of leaving the deflated implants as is, having a new implant inserted, or undergoing a breast lift to improve breast aesthetics.

The Implant Removal Procedure

A typical breast implant removal surgery takes anywhere from two to three hours and is performed under general anesthesia. After the procedure, you can return home and begin the recovery process.

Your doctor will make an incision in the same location that was made during your breast augmentation and will use specialized techniques to remove the implant. Any hardened scar tissue will be removed at this time to accelerate the healing process. He will then use sutures, tape, skin adhesives, or clips to close the incisions.

The Recovery Process

After implant removal surgery, most patients can return to work within five days. The recovery is typically much faster than that of a breast augmentation. Patients must avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for six weeks after the procedure.

The final results will be evident within the first few months as your breasts settle into their new position. You may be advised to wear a compression garment to accelerate healing after your procedure. Once we design your customized treatment plan, we can give you more details about what to expect.

Learn More

Whether you need to have your implants replaced with a new option or you want them removed altogether for aesthetic, medical, or convenience-related reasons, we can discuss your treatment goals with you and design the right surgical plan to help you achieve your desired results. At your initial consultation, we’ll give you more details about breast implant removal surgery and answer all of your questions so you know exactly what to expect.

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