What is Breast Implant Removal Surgery?
Breast implant removal is a surgery during which breast implants are removed. Also known as explanation surgery, breast implant removal is a common and straightforward surgical procedure that’s typically an outpatient procedure. Your breasts after implant removal should display minimal scarring, and the recovery period is much shorter and less complex than when the implants were initially inserted. Here, we will explain everything you need to know about the process, including:
- Why people choose to have their implants removed
- Benefits of breast implant removal
- What breast implant removal surgery involves
- Potential breast implant removal risks and side effects
- Recovering from breast implant removal
- What breasts will look like after implant removal
- The cost of breast implant removal
People choose breast implant surgery for several reasons. From wanting to increase body confidence and improve body proportions to more serious medical reasons, this type of surgery provides a relatively simple way to get the shape you desire.
So, what if you have had breast implants in the past and, for whatever reason, you have had a change of heart or you need to have the implants removed for other reasons? Is there a way of successfully removing them, how difficult is it, and what can you expect your breasts to look like after implant removal?
Why Do Some Women Have Their Breast Implants Removed?
Reasons for having breast implants removed include:
- Change in breast shape as a result of age, pregnancy, and weight loss/gain
- No longer wanting breast implants due to a change of heart
- Breast implant complications such as movement/rotation, ruptured implants, and hardening scar tissue (Capsular Contracture)
- Implants needing to be removed/replaced after 10-15 years
Breast implants remain one of the most sought-after procedures for those seeking cosmetic surgery. Trends and fashions come and go, and this is reflected in every aspect of our lives, including the size and shape of breast implants available when deciding on breast augmentation. One of the reasons behind some women choosing to have their breast implants removed is because of this change in trend. With the natural look gaining in popularity over the last few years, more prominent, extra-large breast implants have become less popular – hence people opting to have them removed in some instances.
For some women, medical reasons or breast implant complications may mean that implants are no longer suitable or safe. Also, changes in body shape may mean that they are no longer in proportion to the rest of your body, or you’ve simply changed your mind and want to revert to your former breast size. Capsular contracture (when scar tissue has hardened), remains one of the most popular reasons for implant removal, as breast implants can become painful for those suffering from this.
What are the Benefits of Breast Implant Removal?
If you’re wanting to have your breast implants removed for any of the reasons mentioned, it can have several benefits:
- Enhanced body confidence as a result of improved breast appearance to suit your body shape.
- In the case of capsular contracture, having your implants removed will relieve you of any pain you’re experiencing.
- Older implants can be replaced with new implants that provide you with a better breast shape and size.
Whatever your reason for considering breast implant removal, it’s important that you have a complete understanding of the surgical procedure, the recovery process and potential risks and side effects.
What’s Involved in Breast Implant Removal Surgery?
Removal of breast implants is a relatively simple procedure as far as cosmetic surgery goes. The surgery typically takes between one and three hours to complete, depending on your requirements. At Enhance Medical, our surgeons are highly qualified and have vast experience in performing a range of breast surgeries. They take careful and necessary steps to ensure their patients get their desired outcomes. After anaesthesia has been administered, your surgeon will:
- Incision: Make an incision on either the lower fold of the breast or around or below the areola (area of skin around the nipple). This will usually be done along the same lines as the original incisions made when the implants were inserted to minimise scarring as much as possible.
- Removal: The implant will then be carefully If the implant is being removed because of previous complications, your surgeon will remove the Implant and then remove the capsule also. This is called capsulectomy.
- Closure: The incisions are then closed using skin adhesives, stitches, or surgical tape.
The implant removal process is dependent on the type of breast implant removal you’re having. If you’re having your breast implants removed and new implants inserted, the process will be slightly different.
What are the Different Types of Breast Implant Removal Surgery?
As there are many reasons why someone may choose to have their breast implants removed, breast implant removal surgery can differ case by case depending on the desired outcome. Along with straightforward implant removal, other types of breast implant removal/replacement procedures include:
- Breast re-augmentation is the process of removing and replacing implants with new breast implants.
- Mastopexy: breast implant removal and breast uplift surgery are performed. The implants are removed but not replaced. Instead, the natural breast tissue is lifted.
- Breast capsulectomy: hardened scar tissue around the breast implant is removed, and the implant is then either removed or replaced. This type of implant removal is for those with capsular contracture.
Potential Risks & Side Effects of Breast Implant Removal
Whilst straightforward, any surgical procedure carries some risk. A range of factors can influence the risks of breast implant removal surgery, such as the type of implant, type of implant removal/replacement procedure, reasons behind removal and a person’s medical history and general health. Potential risks and short-term side effects include:
- Pain: it’s normal to experience slight pain and discomfort after surgery. This can be managed with medication and rest.
- Swelling and bruising: these are both typical post-operative symptoms that usually improve within a few weeks of the surgery being performed.
- Bleeding: As with any surgical procedure, there’s a risk of bleeding during and after the surgery.
- Infection: A risk with any surgery, infection is a potential risk of breast implant removal surgery. We employ experienced surgeons who take the necessary steps and carry out surgical procedures in state-of-the-art facilities to avoid the risk of infection.
- Scarring: Scarring is a potential side effect of most breast surgeries. At Enhance Medical, our specialist surgeons have expertise in minimising scarring as much as possible.
Concerns about the appearance of your breasts after implant removal may be stopping you from going ahead. If that’s the case, fear not. Here is everything you need to know to put your mind at rest.
What Happens After Breast Implant Removal? Breast Implant Removal Recovery:
Following breast implant removal surgery, your surgeon will guide you through the recovery process with regular follow-up appointments, informing you when it’s okay to resume your everyday activities. During the first couple weeks after breast implant removal surgery, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided; some tenderness, soreness and swelling may be experienced for up to six weeks.
However, you should find that your breasts after implant removal are not subject to the same recovery period as when they were initially put in place. The procedure is not as invasive as implant placement; therefore, there is minimal pain. You may have bruising for a couple of weeks, but you won’t be as incapacitated as when you had the initial surgery. You can expect to experience some discomfort and tenderness, but this should improve in a matter of days.
How Will My Breasts Look After Implant Removal?
The larger the initial implant, the more loose skin you will have after the implant is removed. If you think about it logically, the breast skin and tissue have had to stretch for the implant to be inserted in the first place. So, the larger the implant, the more the skin has had to stretch. Don’t expect your breast tissue and skin to shrink to their previous shape and condition. You might notice a ‘caved-in’ appearance immediately following surgery, but this is not permanent.
What Can I Do to Improve the Appearance of My Breasts After Implant Removal?
If you are concerned that the appearance of your breasts following implant removal may not be to your liking, you may choose to combine the removal with a breast lift. Known as a mastopexy, this is a fantastic choice if you want to retain the youthful, elevated look of your breasts without having implants.
Although a breast lift can be performed as a stand-alone procedure, many women choose to have it performed simultaneously while having the implants removed. This is a good option because there is only one general anaesthetic and one recovery period.
If you feel your breasts will need some help to counteract the sagging that often occurs after implant removal, then you can expect to be offered the breast lift. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin, after which the breasts are re-shaped. It may be necessary to move the nipples slightly higher, and the areola may need to be reduced in size to match your new, smaller breasts. There is the possibility of a change in sensation in the nipple area following this procedure. This is not uncommon and is due to the disruption of the nerve supply during the operation. You can expect the feeling to settle and return to normal within a few weeks.
The pain you experience following this procedure will not be as severe as when you had implants fitted. You can expect more of a feeling of discomfort from the incision points than strong pain.
Taking the decision to undergo a breast implant removal procedure may be an easy choice, or you may have exhausted all other options. Whatever the reason, there’s no need to be disappointed with the results. With breast lift options at Enhance Medical Group, you can achieve results that don’t disappoint. It’s vital that you take advice before you choose to go ahead with implant removal, and it’s important that you understand the realistic possibilities. But what is most important to any reputable surgeon is that the client is happy with their breasts after implant removal, whether they choose the breast lift option or not. That’s just the kind of attention and care you can expect from us at the Enhance Medical Group team – the UK’s leading day-case provider.
How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost?
The cost of breast implant removal surgery depends on the type of procedure you’re having. Pricing varies from £3,495 to £8,495.
As the UK’s leading breast surgery specialists for price and quality, at Enhance Medical, we offer a range of implant removal procedures at affordable prices with finance options:
- Breast Implant Removal: £3,495
- Implant Removal & Uplift: £6,495
- Implant Removal & Reduction: £8,495