Breast implant removal surgery
What is breast implant removal surgery?
Breast implant removal surgery involves removing breast implants from a previous breast augmentation surgery. If a patient chooses to have breast implant removal surgery, they often have a breast lift also to improve the appearance of any loose skin.
Who is breast implant removal surgery for?
Some women may decide to have breast implant removal surgery out of personal choice; for example, they may feel their breast implants are the wrong size or shape. Over time they may have moved into the wrong position because of weight gain, weight loss, or pregnancies.
You may need to have breast implant removal surgery due to complications of breast implants such as:
- An accumulation of calcium
- An infection and/or bleeding
- Necrosis or the development of dead tissues around the breast implant
- Capsular contracture
- Implant rupture, folding or deflation
- Leakage of silicone (PIP implants)
- Implant displacement
- Breast implant illness (BII)
If you have PIP implants and would like them removed, an MRI scan or ultrasound scan or should be done to check whether your implants have ruptured. A ruptured implant should be removed as soon as possible.
What happens during breast implant removal surgery?
Breast implant removal surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and can take between one to three hours to complete. After the removal of implants, patients may undergo breast implant replacement.
If a woman chooses not to replace the breast implants, a breast lift may be wanted to address the skin that has been stretched. Depending on your recovery, you may be able to go home on the same day as the procedure.
Incisions during breast implant removal surgery are often made in the same place as where the initial breast implant surgery was performed. If you are suffering from capsular contracture, they will remove the hardened capsules to accelerate the healing process.
What is recovery like after breast implant removal surgery?
Most women can return to work in five days and report experiencing minimal discomfort after the surgery. If you’ve had the breast implants removed due to capsular contracture, there will be more discomfort and it will take longer to recover.
Breast implant removal scars usually heal very well and are often inconspicuous. They can take three to four months to heal. While the scars will fade, they will never disappear entirely.
Lifting anything over five kilograms or exercising excessively for the first six weeks after your surgery should be avoided. While you will usually be able to resume normal activity after six weeks, your breasts will take several months to settle into their new position.
It is very important to follow the instructions given post-surgery which may include the following:
- Wearing compression garments
- Avoiding certain activities
- Taking pain medication as prescribed
What are the risks and complications of breast implant removal surgery?
- Sensitivity of breasts that can last up to six months
- Numbness of the breast area
- Sagging of the breasts or breast deformity
Considering breast implant removal?
By Miss Philippa Jackson
2024-12-14
Breast implant removal, a surgical procedure aimed at reversing or revising a prior augmentation, has become increasingly common in recent years for a variety of reasons. Here, Miss Philippa Jackson, renowned consultant plastic surgeon and certified cosmetic surgeon, offers an expert insight into the complex landscape of breast implant removal. See more
All you need to know about breast implant removal
By Ms Shweta Aggarwal
2024-12-13
Here, Ms Shweta Aggarwal, a well-regarded and highly experienced consultant oncoplastic surgeon, discusses breast implant removal surgery at length, including the main reasons for the removal of breast implants. See more
When and why should I have my breast implants removed?
By Mr Maisam Fazel
2024-12-11
There are a number of reasons why patients might wish to have their breast implants removed. In our latest article, revered consultant aesthetic, oncoplastic and reconstructive surgeon, Mr Maisam Fazel, outlines when and how breast implants are typically removed. See more
Breast augmentation: An all-you-need-to-know guide
By Mr Muhammad Javaid
2024-12-08
In this detailed guide to breast augmentation, highly respected consultant plastic surgeon Mr Muhammad Javaid shares his expert insight on the results different types of breast implant can offer and what to expect from the recovery period after surgery. See more
Experts in Breast implant removal surgery
-
Mr Paul Harris
Plastic surgeryExpert in:
- Breast reduction
- Breast augmentation
- Breast lift or mastopexy
- Breast implant removal surgery
- Gynaecomastia
- DIEP breast reconstruction
-
Professor Ged John Byrne
SurgeryExpert in:
- Family history of breast cancer
- Oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery
- Breast cancer surgery
- Breast reconstruction
- Gynaecomastia
- Breast implant removal surgery
-
Miss Judith Hunter
Plastic surgeryExpert in:
- Breast augmentation
- Breast fat transfer
- Breast lift or mastopexy
- Breast reconstruction
- Breast reduction
- Breast implant removal surgery
-
Mr John Richard Sainsbury
Plastic surgeryExpert in:
- Breast augmentation
- Breast reduction
- Breast lumps
- Breast implant removal surgery
- Breast lift or mastopexy
- Breast reconstruction
-
Ms Shweta Aggarwal
Plastic surgeryExpert in:
- Breast implant removal surgery
- Breast reduction
- Breast lift or mastopexy
- Breast asymmetry
- Breast lumps
- Skin cancer
- See all
Specialists in Plastic Surgery
Specialists in Plastic Surgery
5 Devonshire Place
No existe teléfono en el centro.
By using the telephone number provided by TOP DOCTORS, you automatically agree to let us use your phone number for statistical and commercial purposes. For further information, read our Privacy Policy
Top Doctors
108 Harley Street Medical
108 Harley Street Medical
108 Harley Street, W1G 7ET
No existe teléfono en el centro.
By using the telephone number provided by TOP DOCTORS, you automatically agree to let us use your phone number for statistical and commercial purposes. For further information, read our Privacy Policy
Top Doctors
-
Specialists in Plastic Surgery
5 Devonshire Place, W1G Marylebone LondonExpert in:
- Abdominoplasty
- Blepharoplasty
- Breast augmentation
- Facelift
- Liposuction
- Breast reduction
-
108 Harley Street Medical
108 Harley Street, W1G 7ET, W1G Marylebone LondonExpert in:
- Vascular Surgery
- Dermatology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Women’s health
- Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation
- Most viewed diseases, medical tests, and treatments
- Facial feminisation surgery
- Migraine
- Weight loss injections
- Nipple discharge
- Abdominal pain
- Endovenous laser treatment (EVLA)
- Minimal access surgery (keyhole surgery)
- Head and neck cancer
- Neck lump
- Bariatric surgery