Breast Implant Removal
Women who do not achieve satisfactory results from their breast augmentation surgery or suffer from post-surgical complications may require saline or silicone breast implant removal.
If the primary breast implantation was done incorrectly, the patient may need a revision surgery. The improper placement or scar tissue contraction can cause the breast implants to become displaced or constricted.
The procedure may also be required in cases where the implant has ruptured or deflated due to a defective implant or a breast tissue injury. If an infection occurs in the breast tissue (breast implant illness) it may be necessary to remove the implant. But this is a rare event.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides breast implant removal to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding communities.
Procedure Steps
Before the plan for a breast implant removal surgery is finalized, the surgeon will evaluate the reasons for the implant complications and recommend an appropriate solution. If the patient chooses to have her saline or silicone implants replaced with a more suitable implant type, size, or texture, the replacement procedure will be performed at the same time with the removal of the old implants.
If the patient decides against implant replacement, the surgeon will recommend additional cosmetic surgery options, such as breast lift surgery, which can be performed at the time of breast implant removal. The surgeon will likely perform the procedure using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. They will make an incision in one of the following areas to access the implant:
- Under the armpits
- Around the areola
- Beneath the breast crease
- In rare cases, through the navel
The incisions for breast implant removal will usually be placed in the same location as the ones placed during primary breast augmentation surgery. The surgeon will also remove the scar tissue along with the breast implants during this implant removal or replacement procedure. Scar tissue removal can be done using the en bloc capsulectomy technique or the regular explantation techniques.
Removal of Saline Breast Implants
Before removing the implant, the surgeon will deflate it to allow for easier removal. Once the implant has been removed, the surgeon will excise the scar tissue from the original breast augmentation. New implant placement or breast lift surgery will be performed as soon as the original implant is removed. The surgery will take about one hour to complete. Following the procedure, the patient will have to remain under observation at the surgery center for a few hours.
Removal of Silicone Breast Implants
If a damaged silicone implant goes undetected, it may pose some risk to the patient’s health. Therefore, the breast surgeon will examine the implant for any signs of rupture or distress prior to removing it during silicone implant removal or replacement surgery. This will reduce any risk related to the breast implant procedure.
More Complex than Primary Implantation
The implant removal may be more complicated than the primary augmentation procedure, particularly in cases where the outer shell is textured or foam covered. Sometimes, the adjacent tissue and muscle may have to be removed along with the implant.
The total time taken to perform the removal procedure depends on whether other procedures are being undertaken at the same time. During the removal, the patient may also receive a breast lift, a scar revision, or breast implant replacement. It usually takes under an hour to remove silicone breast implants.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for breast implant removal.
Contact Us
For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:
Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead, Morningside/Lenox Park, Virginia-Highland, Candler Park, Midtown, Inman Park, Poncey-Highland, Ormewood Park, Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and other surrounding areas.