Breast Implant Removal

The purpose of breast implant removal surgery is to remove the implant and the inflamed or non-inflamed scar tissue that forms around the breast implant placed in the breast during breast augmentation or reconstruction surgery for cosmetic, oncologic reasons. The lifespan of breast implants is approximately 10-15 years and at the end of this period, the implant is removed and replaced with breast implant removal surgery.

What is Breast Implant Removal?

Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most preferred plastic surgery operations by women. Generally, women who complain about the small size of their breasts prefer breast augmentation surgery to have a more aesthetically satisfying appearance. However, over time, implants may need to be removed for various reasons. This procedure is called breast implant removal or breast prosthesis removal.

The surgical removal of silicone implants placed in the breast with breast augmentation surgery for medical or aesthetic reasons is called breast implant removal.

Why is breast implant removal performed?

Silicone implants placed in the breasts during breast augmentation surgery make the breasts appear larger and more voluminous. Breast implants can also be used to correct the asymmetrical appearance of the breasts. On the other hand, implants placed in the breasts may occasionally impair health or may need to be removed for different reasons. Some of these reasons are listed below:

• The person who has undergone breast augmentation aesthetics wants to change the size of her breast
• The prosthesis used for breast augmentation is affected and damaged by reactions in the body over time
• Symmetrical distortions between the breasts over time
• Some discomfort due to capsular contracture developing on the breast
• The breast structure and prosthesis are affected by diseases that occur for various reasons
• Breast structure and prosthesis are affected by diseases that occur for various reasons.

In rare cases, people who have breast implants may experience complaints such as fever, fatigue, joint pain and weakness. In such cases, the breast implant must be removed.

If the breast implant pierces the skin and becomes visible, it must be removed. The breast implant becomes infected when it interacts with the external environment. Therefore, it should be removed even if there is no visible inflammation. If infection develops after the hole is closed, a new breast implant can be placed at the patient’s request after the infection has healed.

Excessive weight gain can make implanted breasts appear larger. By removing the breast implant, the patient will have a more natural and normal appearance.

Some patients may request the removal of their breast implants voluntarily without any reason.

One of the most undesirable complications after breast augmentation surgery is capsular contracture. In case of capsule formation, the patient’s body does not accept the breast implant. Although this problem is very rare, the first treatment for capsule formation is massage. If the problem persists despite massage

The breast implant needs to be removed or replaced. Capsule formation can sometimes occur in one or both breasts.

The reason for capsule formation is that the body perceives silicone as a foreign substance and wants to remove it from the body. In this case, it secretes some substances around the silicone and surrounds the silicone. As a result, capsule formation occurs. Capsule formation, which can be reduced with various massage methods, can cause severe pain when it progresses. In addition, some hardness and distortion may occur around the breast. In such cases, the breast implant must be removed.

Breast implants can wear and tear over time and may need to be removed or replaced to prevent associated risks.

Who is suitable for breast implant removal?

Breast implant removal is basically applicable to all women who have undergone breast augmentation surgery. Breast implant removal is suitable if the patient regrets having breast implants, no longer wants to use breast implants or if the breast implants have lost their function for various reasons.

Before breast implant removal surgery, some tests are performed and the patient is examined. It should be determined by laboratory tests that the patient’s blood values are normal, and at the same time, there should be no health problems that prevent surgery.

Operation process

Breast implant removal surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. The patient does not feel any pain or soreness during the procedure, which is performed under general or local anesthesia. The surgery is usually completed in 60 to 90 minutes. If a new implant is to be inserted after the breast implant is removed, in other words, if a breast implant replacement procedure is to be performed, the duration of the surgery may be prolonged.

When performing breast implant removal surgery, it is preferred to enter through the scar where the implant was placed during breast augmentation surgery. However, the easiest way to access the capsule and breast implant is to use the inframammary fold line.

If the breast implant is to be completely removed, a tight bandage is applied after both the capsule and the silicone implant are completely removed and the surgery is completed.

In cases where capsular contracture develops, the capsule and silicone prosthesis must be completely removed. If the patient wants to have breast implants again, it should be taken into consideration that the risk of capsular contracture is higher than normal. In addition, in cases where a breast implant will be placed again, it is preferred to place the implant under the muscle.

In cases where the breast implant needs to be replaced with a larger implant, the existing breast implant can be removed and a larger breast implant can be placed. At this stage, the capsule of the removed implant must be loosened. If the removed implant is in the supramuscular plane, the capsule should be completely removed and the implant should be placed in the submuscular plane.

In cases where the breast implant is to be replaced with a smaller implant, the capsule of the implant to be removed should be reduced since the capsule of the implant to be removed is much larger than the capsule of the implant to be placed, and the removed prosthesis should be moved to the submuscular plan if it is in the supramuscular plan.

Healing Process

The healing process of breast implant removal surgery is generally shorter and easier than breast augmentation surgery. After the application, mild swelling and pain may be observed in the area. The patient usually stays in the hospital for 1 day. Patients can usually start doing activities such as showering and walking 24 hours after the operation. A drain may be inserted to eliminate the risk of bleeding during breast implant removal. The drain is removed a few days after the operation. The person can return to work 2 to 3 days after the operation, unless they work in heavy work environments that do not require physically intensive use of force.

Heavy sports should be avoided for 3 weeks after the operation. In addition, in cases recommended by the doctor, it may be necessary to use a bra that acts as a medical corset for the specified period.

What are the Risks?

As every surgical procedure involves some risk, breast implant removal surgery also brings some risks. Bleeding may rarely occur during or after surgery. Infection may rarely occur after the surgical procedure. Infection may require different surgical procedures.

Pain in the breasts and nipple sensation changes may occur after surgery. These complaints usually resolve within a few weeks. A healthy healing process may not always be possible after surgery. In some cases, poor wound healing may be observed.

There may also be problems caused by the implant when the implant is removed. The silicone gel inside the implant may leak due to rupture of the implant. In such cases, the silicone gel may not be cleaned and in some cases the prosthesis can be removed with difficulty. It may even be necessary to remove the surrounding tissue due to calcification around the implant.

Age Restriction

Women of all ages can have breast implant removal surgery if they do not have a chronic disease. The patient is analyzed and examined before the operation. If deemed appropriate, breast implant removal surgery can be performed. However, it is generally preferred to perform breast implant removal surgery until the age of 50.

Breast Implant Removal Prices

Breast implant removal prices may vary depending on the scope of the surgery, the expertise of the plastic surgeon, the price policy of the clinic where the surgery will be performed and many other factors.