Breast augmentation stands out as one of the highly sought-after cosmetic procedures, with about 298,568 procedures performed in 2022 alone. However, as per the same 2022 research, there was a remarkable 12% increase in the number of women who demand breast implant removal. The reasons can range from dissatisfaction with their look or feel to concerns over breast implant illness.
If you’re considering getting your implants taken out, you likely have a lot of questions about the process. Why do women get them removed? What are your options after the explant surgery? How is it done, and how long does recovery take? This guide shall walk you through everything you need to know about understanding breast implant removal.
- Common reasons for breast implant removal
As great as breast implants may look and feel at first, the reality is they don’t last forever. There are quite a few reasons women end up needing or wanting to remove their breast implants somewhere down the road, such as:
- Capsular contracture: One of the most common is capsular contracture. Its rate of occurrence generally ranges from 0.5% to 30%. This is when scar tissue around the implant tightens up and squeezes the implant, making your breast feel really firm and painful sometimes. It can distort the look of your breast and force the implant outward – not fun! In cases of severe contracture, some plastic surgeons perform an en bloc capsulectomy to remove the entire capsule of scar tissue along with the implant.
- Implant rupture or deflation: Even though breast implants have become more durable over time, they can still rupture, especially after many years. Silicone gel ones can rupture and leak into the space around the implant, while saline ones can suddenly deflate, leaving you with a deflated water balloon in your chest. No one wants lopsided breasts, so rupture means it’s time to take them out.
- Infection: Infections are another issue. Bacteria can sneak in during surgery and the aftermath, causing swelling, pain, and fluid buildup around the implant. Infections mean it’s lights out for the implants.
As you can see, there are many valid reasons a woman may need or opt for breast implant removal at some point after augmentation. Being informed on the common indications for explant surgery can help you make the best decision for your health and happiness.
- Removal without replacement
Some women decide to remove their implants and not replace them at all, going completely flat or letting their natural breast tissue reshape itself. Reasons include:
- Breast implant illness (BII) symptoms: If you’ve been suffering from breast implant illness symptoms like chronic fatigue, chest discomfort, and brain fog, you might find those symptoms actually resolve when the implants are out. For some women, it’s like a miracle cure! Research shows up to 37% of women with BII see their symptoms improve after explant surgery alone.
- Dissatisfaction with implant feel or appearance: Perhaps you’ve just come to the realization you never loved your implants to begin with. You don’t like how they look or feel anymore or worry about potential health risks down the road. In that case, explanting and letting your natural breasts take shape can boost your confidence. Your breasts will sit lower and be softer without implants, but many women find it empowering.
- Weight loss or lifestyle changes: If you’ve lost weight and no longer want such large breasts, removing your implants and using breast lifts to reshape the tissue can give you the proportional look you love.
- Post-pregnancy or breastfeeding comfort: Post-pregnancy is another time women go flat after explant. With all the changes that happen to your breasts after having kids, implants can start looking and feeling weird. Removing them and embracing your natural mom bosom can be freeing.
If you remove the implants without replacement, your surgeon can perform a breast lift to reshape the breast and nipple area. Your breasts will be smaller and softer without implants.
- The removal procedure
The removal procedure is shorter and simpler than the initial augmentation. First, it’s done under general anesthesia, so you snooze through the whole thing. Your surgeon will make a small incision along the crease under your breasts or around the areola.
Then, they carefully dissect away any scar tissue that has grown around the implant and create a pocket to access the implant. This takes precision and skill to avoid damaging other tissue. Once the pocket is opened, your surgeon gently maneuvers the implant out. They may irrigate the pocket to flush out any stray silicone, blood, or bacteria left behind.
If you’re replacing your implants, the new ones can go in through the same incision site after the old ones come out. That helps limit scarring. But if you’re not replacing them, the surgeon makes sure everything looks good, then stitches up the incisions with layered, dissolvable sutures.
The whole removal surgery can take between 1-3 hours, depending on whether the implants are being replaced. As long as your surgeon has expertise in explant procedures, it should go off without a hitch. Approximately 90.4% of women report high satisfaction with their experience undergoing implant removal and results.
- Recovery after removal surgery
The recovery after having your breast implants removed is so much easier than it was after breast augmentation! During the first couple of days, you may feel some pain and soreness around the incision site as it heals. Your surgeon will likely prescribe pain meds to keep you comfortable. Moreover, wearing a supportive sports bra can help minimize swelling and bouncing around as you recover.
Your doctor will also advise avoiding any strenuous activity for at least 2-4 weeks after explant surgery. Let those tissues heal up nicely and securely before you start hitting the gym again. Most women feel ready to return to non-vigorous daily activities within 3-5 days though.
It’s normal to have some swelling, bruising, and numbness over the first several weeks. But that dissipates within a month or two in most cases. Your dissolvable stitches will fade away within a few months.
Normal sensation in your breasts can take up to 6 months to fully return after the tissues have healed. So, be patient; the feeling will come back over time! Just take it easy and follow your surgeon’s post-op instructions to smoothly sail through recovery after your implant removal. Within a couple of months, you’ll be healed up and ready to rock your beautiful new look!
- Risks and complications
While uncommon, risks of implant removal include:
- Excessive bleeding after surgery
- Breast/implant pocket infection
- Poor wound healing along incision lines
- Temporary or permanent nipple sensation loss
- Asymmetry if some breast tissue is removed
- Deflation and wrinkling without replacement
Discuss your medical history with your surgeon to assess personal risk factors like smoking. More importantly, follow all pre- and post-op instructions closely to prevent complications.
- The cost of removal
The average cost of implant removal alone is around USD $2,641 or more, depending on your location and surgeon. It’s often less expensive than the original augmentation. However, note that many factors can impact prices, like surgeon fees, anesthesia, and facility costs. So, confirm the exact pricing with your surgeon’s office to avoid surprises. Ask about payment plans, too, to make it more affordable.
Takeaway
Removing breast implants is a remarkably personal choice requiring careful thought and planning. So, take time to thoroughly understand all your options before surgery so you feel confident moving forward.
An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon can expertly perform the removal procedure and offer guidance on replacing implants or going flat. With the right information and specialists on your side, you can smoothly transition to your new implant-free or newly augmented breasts.
