The reasons may vary, but there are some women with breast implants who may decide to have them removed. Some of the commons reasons for breast implant removal include implant rupture, capsular contracture, second thoughts, and health concerns. Some women may decide to replace their ruptured or old implants, while others may choose to have their breast implants completely removed. Whatever your reasons may be for breast implant removal, Dr. Gregory Park will provide you with comprehensive information and care to optimize your results.
To view Before & After Breast Implant Removal photos, click photo above. Individual results may vary.
We understand that your decision to undergo breast implant removal is personal and important to you. One of the most important parts of your consultation will consist of learning about your reasons for explant. A comprehensive exam, discussion of your goals and expectations, and a detailed explanation of the best options for surgery will help ensure that you are well informed and confident when making your decision to schedule your breast implant removal surgery with us. We will be able to determine if you are good candidate for breast implant removal after your consultation with Dr. Park
Any medical device (pacemakers, artificial joints, steel plates, screws, etc.) placed in the body will have scar tissue that forms around the object. This is also applies to breast implants. In the best situations the scar remains soft and pain free, while in some cases, the scar capsule around a breast implant becomes hard, resulting in distortion of the breast and sometimes pain. This is referred to as capsular contracture. It is theorized that bacteria gets on the implant and creates a biofilm and inflammation, which in turn causes the scar capsule to become hard (capsular contracture). Definitive treatment involves the removal of the breast implant and scar capsule (capsulectomy). Reusing the old implant is not recommended. However, a new implant can be placed at the time of the explantation and capsulectomy, or placed after a period of healing. In some cases patient choose not to replace the implants.
Implant ruptures can potentially occur in patients at anytime. Patients may have experienced trauma from an especially rough mammogram or from impact due to a fall or car accident. In some cases capsular contracture can contribute to rupture of an implant or vice versa. If a silicone implant is ruptured, it is recommended that the ruptured implant be removed in a timely manner. If the ruptured implant is left in place, there is a possibility of silicone gel migration outside of the capsule causing silicone granulomas or hard masses.
Some patients decide to have their implants removed for various non-medical reasons. The results may not have met their expectations or have suboptimal results after multiple surgeries. Patients may decide that their breasts are too heavy, too large, or the implants may get in the way of their active lifestyle. Other patients feel like they underwent surgery for the wrong reasons. For example, they had breast surgery hoping to please a significant other. They say that they want to remove their implants because they no longer want to be reminded of a regretful decision in the past.
There is a small subset of patients with saline and silicone breast implants who feel that they have developed health problems or breast implant illness due to their implants. Some breast implant illness symptoms consist of various physical and systemic symptoms such as memory loss, trouble concentrating, hair loss, chronic fatigue, joint pain, rashes, depression, anxiety and more. In most cases, these symptoms can be attributed to a specific medical diagnosis. However, in some cases, even after a negative workup with extensive labs, scans, and consultations with medical specialists, a few patients conclude that their breast implants are making them sick. Thereafter, patients may decide to have their implants removed with the hope of relieving their medical issues. In some cases, patient who electively have their breast implants removed, subjectively and objectively feel better.
Before your breast implant removal surgery, Dr. Park and his nurses will see you at your preoperative appointment. During this appointment you will get another opportunity to ask any additional questions you may have with regard to your breast implant removal and review all the details of surgery again. We will also ensure that you have chosen the right surgery to achieve your goals.
A preoperative mammogram may be recommended if there is strong family history of breast cancer, a clinical concern, or for patients 40 years of age or more.
At your preoperative appointment you will be provided with instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on drinking, eating, smoking, and avoiding certain medications or supplements, and also prescriptions for medications required after surgery.
While preparing for your breast implant removal, be sure to make arrangements to have a family member or friend drive you home after surgery. You may also want to have someone help you for a couple of days during your recover.
The removal of breast implants is a fairly straightforward surgery. Breast implants can be removed while under general anesthesia, or with local anesthesia combined with sedatives and pain medications.
In most cases your preexisting scars are opened to remove the older implants. A simple breast implant removal surgery without capsulectomy can sometimes be performed in less than one hour. However, when there are other issues to address such as the removal of the capsules along with the implants, surgery will be more involved and time for surgery will be a bit longer.
If you decide to remove your breast implants without replacing them with new ones, there is the potential for a suboptimal cosmetic result. Over time the skin around the breasts can lose elasticity, especially when implants have been in place for many years. When the implants are removed, the breast skin may have enough flexibility to shrink back its original shape. However, in many cases the skin around your breasts remains stretched and saggy. When the breasts become loose and ptotic, patients may want to consider undergoing a breast lift to tighten the breast tissue and skin.
It is normal to have some degree of discomfort and fatigue for a couple days after removal of your breast implants. Prescriptions for pain control will be provided during your preoperative appointment. Depending on your job, some patients are able to return to work within a few days to a week as long as you are no longer taking pain medications. You will be able to shower the day after surgery and instructed to wear a bra to reduce swelling and support your breasts while healing. Regular exercise and breast contact may be resumed once the discomfort has improved and the incisions are well healed, usually around 4 weeks following surgery. It is important to continue self-breast exams every month. For age appropriate patients, mammograms are continued 6 to 12 months after breast implant surgery.
To find out if you are a good candidate for breast implant removal surgery, call us at 760.655.1414 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Gregory Park. We look forward to helping you in achieving your goals.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Oceanside, California, Dr. Gregory Park provides a full range of plastic and reconstructive services at North Coast Plastic Surgery including cosmetic surgery of the face, neck, eyes, and nose, breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, revision cosmetic breast surgery, arm lifts, liposuction, tummy tuck, Botox, Fillers, and more...
Dr. Park was the Plastic Surgeon at my hospital. I was lucky to have such a wonderful and caring doctor. You hear people say how one person changed their life. I now understand because Dr. Park did that for me. It's a wonderful feeling when you meet a doctor who truly cares.