About breast implant removal
What is breast implant removal?
Breast augmentation or breast reconstruction patients who have breast implants should have them removed during surgery. The surgeon may also remove silicone during these procedures from implant leaks and the breast capsule, the scar tissue that develops after the implantation of a breast implant.
In many instances, the scar tissue that develops following implant placement is mild and does not require removal, but it may also harden and cause pain and discomfort. The implants and scar tissue should frequently be removed for this reason.
Breast implants must be replaced or removed around every 10 to 15 years because they are not permanent medical devices. The wants and preferences of the patient are often taken into consideration when making this choice.
In certain instances, the implant's outer shell degrades, allowing silicone to leak and the scar tissue to stiffen around the implant. You should be aware that your implants should be taken out for this reason.
Who is a good candidate for breast implant removal?
Surgery to remove breast implants is a highly specialised technique. If you experience pain from implants, develop capsular contracture (hardening of the breast), imaging has revealed a capsule leak, or if you no longer want implants or want to exchange them, it should be done.
You might be an excellent candidate for breast implant removal generally if:
- You are in good physical shape, and your weight is steady
- You don't smoke
- The way your implants look bothers you
- You have felt pain or suffering from your implants
- You consider your breasts to be overly big and heavy
- Your breast scar tissue is beginning to feel tighter or tougher
- Imaging suggests an implant leak or rupture
- You are sensing your implant is leaking or ruptured
If you're thinking about getting surgery, take some time to look at before and after pictures and educate yourself on what to expect during recovery. Patients benefit from forward planning by having realistic expectations and experiencing a quicker recovery.
What are the risks of breast implant removal?
Your general health, whether the implant is leaking or has burst, as well as your personal preferences, all play a role in your decision to have breast implant removal surgery. You must choose whether the dangers and potential consequences of breast implant removal outweigh the benefits in order to reach your goals.
The dangers of surgery will be thoroughly explained by your plastic surgeon and/or staff. You will be need to sign consent paperwork to show that you are aware of all the risks and potential consequences associated with the treatments you will be undergoing.
The following list is not all-inclusive of the potential dangers of breast implant removal surgery:
- Hazards of anaesthesia
- Asymmetry
- Bleeding
- Problems related to cardiac, pulmonary, and deep vein thrombosis
- Deep beneath the skin, fatty tissue may pass away (fat necrosis)
- A buildup of fluid (seroma)
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Sense of nipple or areola changes, such as numbness
- Other alterations in cutaneous sensation, such as numbness
- Chronic discomfort
- Incisions don't heal well
- Surgery revision is a possibility
- Recurrent skin sagging
- Scarring
- Long-lasting swelling or skin discoloration
- Losing skin
- Inferior aesthetic outcome
Before you give your consent, all risks, including this ones, will be clearly disclosed. It's crucial that you speak candidly with your plastic surgeon about all of your concerns.
What should I expect during my recovery?
You can have bandages, gauze dressings, or drains after your breast implant removal procedure. A compression garment may occasionally be used to reduce edoema after surgery, in addition to a support bra or surgical garment.
You might need to have drains, which are brief, thin tubes temporarily inserted under the skin inside the pocket to drain any surplus blood or serous fluid that may accumulate, after your treatment.
You'll receive detailed instructions, which can include:
How to take care of the surgical site(s) after surgery drugs that can be used topically or taken orally to promote healing and lower the risk of infection specific issues to watch for following surgery or with your general health When to consult your plastic surgeon again
To learn more about what to anticipate during your particular recovery period, be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions.
- Where will I be taken when my procedure is finished?
- What prescription drugs will I receive or be given following surgery?
- After surgery will I wear dressings or bandages? Will they be removed, and when?
- Will there be drains? For how much time?
- When can I take a shower or a bath?
- When can I get back to my regular routine and exercise?
- When do I go back to my plastic surgeon for my post-op treatment?
As the swelling goes down, healing will continue for a few weeks. Continue to adhere to your plastic surgeon's recommendations and show up to follow-up appointments on time.
What results should I expect after breast implant removal?
The size of the implants being removed, as well as the quantity and quality of the breast tissue that is left, will have a significant impact on the eventual outcomes of breast implant removal surgery. The scar tissue that was in close proximity to your implants will also be a significant factor in your final results. Prior to the outcomes, swelling and surgical alterations will also require time. Before the full effects of healing become apparent, up to a year may pass.
Surgery and medical treatment are not exact sciences. Because the breast tissue is thin after having implants for a long time, the results of this particular procedure are not always perfect. If the implants have been leaking, the results may also be impacted. In some cases, a single surgical treatment might not be sufficient to produce the best results, and a second surgery can be required. If silicone has spread throughout the breast and the free-floating silicone is no longer contained by the scar tissue, a mastectomy may also be required.
When you go home, if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or strange heartbeats, get medical help right away. You could need hospitalisation and further care if any of these side effects appear.
The outcome of your surgery depends on you following your doctor's recommendations. During the healing process, it's crucial that the surgical incisions not be subjected to too much stress, abrasion, or motion. You'll receive detailed instructions from your doctor on how to take care of yourself.