Breast Implant Removal

Often, the scar tissue that forms after the placement of an implant is soft and does not need to be removed, but it may harden, causing pain and discomfort. This is often a reason to have the implants and scar tissue removed.

Many women feel after a number of years of having breast implants that they would like to replace them. There are many reasons a woman may decide to replace her implants, from medical reasons such as capsular contracture and ruptured implants to cosmetic reasons of increasing or decreasing the size of implant. As your body ages and following child birth implants that once were once a perfect fit may no longer suit your body shape.

There is a range of different treatment options available and it depends on firstly the reason for your removal and also your desired outcome as to what course of treatment would be suited to you.

The following procedure options are available;

Breast Implant Removal

This is when the implants are removed and no further surgery is performed.

Breast Implant Replacement

This is when your original implants are removed but are then replaced by new implants which can be the same size, smaller or bigger.

Breast Capsulectomy

Capsular contracture can cause pain and distortion in the appearance of your bust. A capsulectomy procedure removes the capsule which is the lining around your implant and then you can either have the original implant removed or replaced.

Breast Implant Removal with Uplift (Mastopexy)

This combined procedure may be recommended if your surgeon feels your breast tissue has stretched. The procedure will ensure that after the implant is removed your nipple is lifted back up to its natural position.

Breast Implant Removal Procedure

There are a number of different treatment options available to you depending on your desired look and the condition of your current implants. During your initial consultation your surgeon will discuss all of these options to see which approach will be suitable for you. You will need to consider different implant shapes and sizes and what look you wish to achieve with your new implants.

The procedure itself is similar to breast enlargement surgery. It is normally performed under a general anaesthetic and can take between 1-2 hours to complete. Your surgeon will use your existing scars to remove your old implants and may need to perform a capsulectomy if you have decided to increase the size of your implants to allow room for the larger volume of implant.

The Results

Results will vary considerably depending on the patient and implants chosen. After discussion and consultation with your surgeon your results should match the expectations discussed.

Breast Implant Removal Recovery time / Downtime

You will actually find that your recovery will be slightly better than when you had your initial breast augmentation. This is because your tissue and skin has already been stretched.

You can normally carry out light duties after a few days and return to work 1-2 weeks following surgery. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for 4-5 weeks.

Breast Implant Removal FAQ’s

1) What can i expect from an implant replacement or removal?

As with the original breast augmentation, the procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic. Breast re-augmentation (i.e. implant replacement) is usually quite straightforward and less painful than the first procedure as the pocket is already there, although you should certainly expect some discomfort.

If implants are removed and not replaced, then pain is generally minimal. However, if the implants and capsules (i.e. scar tissue around the old implant) are removed, then you should expect pain similar to the original procedure.

2) Why would i need to have my implants replaced?

Implants can be replaced for many reasons, including wanting to change the shape or size of the implants, breasts change due to weight loss or gain, age or having children, or if implants rupture.

Breast implants do not have an expiration date. They only need to be replaced in the very rare case whereby they break or rupture, which is usually a result of sub-standard implants or sub-standard surgery. This is not serious or a health risk, but may cause a change in shape or feel of the implant necessitating its removal.

Personiks has become a well-known provider of implant replacement services as our reputation as a trusted cosmetics provider has been enhanced following the PIP scandal that implicated so many of our competitors. It remains one of our most commonly performed procedures.