Breast Implant Removal Reasons

There are several reasons a doctor may need to remove breast implants by surgery. Certain women choose to have their implants removed or exchanged because they want smaller or larger implants. Another reason some women remove their breast implants is because of discomfort from tightening of the capsule around the implant.

Implant removal typically involves making a small incision at the site of the prior scar. The doctor simply removes the implant. In certain patients who have had implants for many years, the breasts appear deflated after the removal of implants. A breast lift may improve the shape of the breasts.

Replacing

When replacing implants, the doctor makes a small incision over the prior scar and the surgeon replaces the old implants with new ones. During this surgery, the doctor releases the capsule formed around the old implants. The doctor then enlarges the pocket for new implants. If the capsule has tightened and changed the breast shape, the doctor removes the capsule before placing new breast implants. Saline and silicone implants are available. Numerous research studies boast the safety of silicone implants.

Breast Implant Replacement

Breast implants are synthetic and do not last forever. Implant replacement surgery is necessary when the implants fail or get old. Doctors also perform implant replacement surgery because some women want different sized breasts. The surgery also corrects capsular contracture, which occurs when the scar tissue or capsule that normally forms around the implant tightens and squeezes the implant.

Breast augmentation remains the most common implant procedure performed. With the 300,000 breast implants which are inserted actually in the United States, some do have to be removed for various complications. Occasionally, patients choose to have their breast implants removed for purely personal reasons without a medical justification. The most common complications associated with breast augmentation are highlighted below.

Capsular contracture
Capsular contracture is the most common reason for removing a breast implant. Occurring in 10 to 20% of patients within 10 years of their breast augmentation, capsular contracture is treated by removing the tight capsule around the breast implant (capsulectomy) followed by removing the implant.

Rupture
About 3 to 5% of breast implants will rupture over 10 years after breast augmentation. Once diagnosed, the ruptured breast implant will have to be removed as soon as possible and possibly replaced.

Asymmetry
In rare cases, the breasts can appear asymmetrical or uneven after breast augmentation. This unevenness is typically due to pre-existing natural breast asymmetry prior to the breast augmentation. After insertion, breast implants may also shift in their position on the chest leading to breast asymmetry. In cases of significant asymmetry after breast augmentation, the breast implants may have to be removed or if being replaced, the implant pocket will have to be revised prior to inserting another implant.

Rippling
Visible rippling after breast augmentation is a difficult problem to address. This problem typically occurs in women who have thin breast tissue covering their breast implants. Removal of the breast implants in suck women will likely lead to a deflated appearance to their breasts which may require a breast lift or mastopexy.

Infection
Infection occurs in approximately 3 to 5% of breast augmentation surgeries. In cases of superficial infections, antibiotics alone will typically treat the problem. When the infection involved the deeper tissues within the breast, the breast implant may be involved. As the breast implant does not have its own blood supply, it can not fight the infecting bacteria. Removal of an infected breast implant is therefore necessary. Another breast implant can be replaced into the affected breast once the infection has fully resolved.

Extrusion
If there are wound healing issues or excessively large implants are placed into the breasts, implant extrusion may result. The implant may become visible through the open wound, or skin necrosis over the breast implant may lead to a potentially exposed implant which will have to be removed.

Personal dissatisfaction
If you are extremely dissatisfied with your breast implants, removal of your breast implants is certainly an option. You are encouraged to contact our office to discuss your concerns and possible alternatives prior to undergoing the procedure.