COSMETIC TOWN JOURNAL



Breast Implant Removal - Procedure Secrets Revealed

Posted September 07, 2021
Breast implant removal

While the placement of breast implants might have been the desired procedure at one time for a patient, the person might make a later decision to have them removed. The desire to have breast implant removal might be the result of an issue with the implants (such as a rupture or a leak) or the patient might have decided they no longer want the amount of augmentation offered by the implants anymore. The procedure is designed to take out implants that were placed in the body for aesthetic or reconstructive reasons. Cosmetic Town News has a look at what to expect during the procedure and the inside information patients need to know about the implant removal process.

Breast Implant Removal - Why is it Performed?

The surgery to remove breast implants can be performed for multiple reasons:

  • The implants might have reached the end of their natural lifespan (generally 10-20 years)
  • The patient might have a different idea about the amount of breast augmentation they want when it comes to the size of their breasts
  • The implants might have suffered some sort of issue such as a leak or a rupture
  • Scar tissue might have developed due to the placement of the implants so the surgeon will need to remove both the breast implants and the scar tissue
  • The patient might want to have implants that are a different size to gain the contour they desire to the body
  • The breast implants no longer have a symmetrical look
  • The implants are saggy in appearance

Removal of Breast Implants - What to Expect During the Surgery

The surgical procedure will be performed by a board-certified surgeon. The process begins with the patient being given general anesthesia or being placed under sedation. 

The surgeon will then make an incision around, or under, the areola or the incision is made in the lower fold of the breast. The incision is created so the surgeon can easily reach the implant to remove it. In addition, the incision might be made in the same location as the original entry point for the placement of the implants.

Once the breast implants have been removed, the surgeon will close the incision using adhesives or sutures.

Breast Implant Recovery Process

After the procedure is performed, the shape of the breasts will change as they become flatter and less firm in appearance. 

Immediately after the procedure, the surgeon will place gauze on the wounds as well as drains to remove excess blood and fluid during the healing process. A patient might also need to wear a supportive bra for extra comfort and a compression garment to help reduce the amount of swelling in the treated area.

The amount of pain or discomfort felt after the surgery often depends on the extent of the surgery and if the doctor removed any scar tissue along with the implants. 

Patients can usually return to their normal activities several days after the removal process. The time needed to wear drains, or a compression garment varies per person and will be determined by the surgeon. The soreness of the breasts will be similar to what was felt by the patient after the initial surgery to place the implants in the body. 

Benefits of Breast Implant Removal

The benefits enjoyed by the patient depends on the reason for the surgery. For example, any consistent pain in the area will stop if the procedure was performed to remove a leaking or ruptured implant. In addition, there can be aesthetic benefits to the surgery if the patient has the procedure for cosmetic purposes such as restoring the symmetry of the breasts or gaining a desired smaller size and appearance.

Breast Implant Removal Risks

Some potential risks related to the removal of breast implants include:

  • Hematoma (an area of blood that collects in a section that is outside of a larger blood vessel)
  • Infection at the incision site
  • Bleeding 
  • Asymmetrical look to the breasts
  • Scarring
  • Numbness
  • Looseness of the skin
  • Seroma (a collection of fluid in the area where the surgeon has removed tissue during the surgery)
  • Blood clot
  • Skin discoloration

Costs and Results of Surgery to Remove Breast Implants

In general, the cost of the procedure is anywhere from $2000-$4000. If the surgery is being performed for aesthetic reasons, insurance will likely not cover any of the cost. If breast implant removal surgery is being performed for reasons that are deemed to be medically necessary, an insurance company will cover some portion of the cost.

The final results of breast implant removal are considered to be permanent. The patient will enjoy a new shape and contour to the breasts that was not possible while the implants were in the body.

Anyone interested in undergoing breast implant removal should schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified doctor experienced in providing the long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing results that are possible after the procedure. 

- MA

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