This procedure is the inverse of breast augmentation, as Dr. Wallach usually makes an incision using the previous breast implant surgical approach to access the pocket created for the implants and removes them before sealing the incision site with sutures. This may be through an incision along the breast fold, the periareola region or through a transaxillary incision in the armpit. During this procedure, Dr. Wallach will also remove implant filler material from ruptured silicone implants if necessary.
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As breast augmentation continues to become an increasingly popular cosmetic surgery in the United States, it’s no surprise that implant removal has also experienced increased demand. This procedure helps women who want or need their breast implants removed for either cosmetic or medical reasons, and may be combined with other breast procedures.
Candidates
A good candidate is someone who is healthy and desires that their implants be removed. Good candidates are generally healthy, and usually go on to heal without complications. A candidate with medical issues, may require medical clearance from their primary care physician prior to having the procedure performed. As with all procedures, candidates for implant removal should be non-smokers or stop smoking prior to the procedure, and will need to stop taking blood-thinning medications prior to undergoing surgery.
Benefits
Sometimes this procedure is medically necessary, such as when an implant ruptures, or when a capsular contracture occurs. A capsular contracture is the hardening of scar tissue that forms around an implant after it is placed in the body. Normally this tissue is soft and unnoticeable, but it can become hard and painful, while also distorting the appearance of the breasts. Patients may be able to have the implants replaced with new ones at the same time as removal of the old ones if desired.
Non-medical reasons to have breast implants removed include when people’s preferences and desired appearance change, and then the implants are removed for cosmetic reasons.
Consultation
Your consultation will look different depending on your desire for surgery. If you’re experiencing complications such as the stiffening of breast tissue due to capsular contracture, Dr. Wallach may perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and then a date will be scheduled to perform the explantation surgery.
If the issue is cosmetic, you may discuss other options for breast implant replacement, such as switching to a different type or size of implant, or explore other breast enhancement options like a breast lift.
During a consultation with Dr. Wallach, he’ll walk through the options and techniques available for your procedure, as well as which will provide the best results with the least amount of scarring.
Preparation
In preparation for your implant removal consultation, it’s helpful to be familiar with terms that may be used in reference to your breast implants. Important terms include:
- Ptosis – Although commonly referring to drooping of the eyelid, ptosis is the sagging of skin or tissue, in this case, of the breasts. Ptosis may be a factor considered for those wishing to remove their breast implants if, as they have gotten older, their implants begin contributing to a drooping appearance of the breasts.
- Deflation – For those with saline implants, a leading sign of rupture is rapid decrease in size of the breast due to the sterile saline solution leaking out and being absorbed by the body.
- Capsulectomy – This is the medical term used for some aspects of breast implant removal surgery. During a capsulectomy, Dr. Wallach removes the breast implant and the scar tissue that has formed around it, called the breast capsule.
- Explantation – The opposite of implantation, explantation or explant surgery is the removal of previously implanted or inserted material.
Procedure
For your comfort and safety, this surgery procedure may be performed under intravenous (IV) sedation or general anesthesia. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Wallach will make a predetermined incision through which he has access to the breast pocket and implant. He will then remove the implant and may remove the scar capsule surrounding it, and in the case of leakage or rupture, take extra care to remove any sterile silicone gel that may have seeped out from the implant.
After the implants have been removed, if you have elected to get them replaced, Dr. Wallach will insert the new implants according to the agreed upon surgical plan, then close the incisions and bandage the incision sites.
Recovery
Immediately after the procedure, you will have swelling and bruising around your breasts and may be in mild pain, which can vary depending on if you had the implants removed or replaced. You will need a caregiver to drive you from our surgery center and stay with you for about a day. Most patients can go back to light activity within three to five days. Dr. Wallach instructs patients to avoid aerobic activity for three to four weeks and avoid exertion of heavy lifting for about six to eight weeks.
Risks
The main risks of breast implant removal surgery are unfavorable scarring, asymmetry, infection, bleeding, nipple loss, skin loss, fat necrosis, fluid collections, dysesthesias, and need for revision surgery.
Cost
The cost of the procedure will increase if breast implant replacement is desired, or a lift or more complex procedure is required.
Contact Us
If you’re experiencing complications, whether medical or aesthetic, from your breast implants, there’s no time to waste in finding a board-certified plastic surgeon to remove and/or replace your implants so you can get back to your normal lifestyle. Choosing a plastic surgeon in NYC can be hard, which is why Dr. Wallach encourages patients to visit our before-and-after photo gallery to see for themselves what naturally beautiful results he can achieve with breast surgery procedures.
As breast augmentation continues to become an increasingly popular cosmetic surgery in the United States, it’s no surprise that implant removal has also experienced increased demand. This procedure helps women who want or need their breast implants removed for either cosmetic or medical reasons, and may be combined with other breast procedures.
To learn more about your options for implant removal and breast enhancement, call us or contact us online today.
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