Breast Implant Removal In Atlanta, Ga
Most breast augmentation patients are happy with their decision to get breast implants, but occasionally, there may be some regret and the decision to remove the implants. Even if a change of heart doesn’t leave you still loving your breast implants, other situations can leave women wanting to remove their breast implants, such as medical issues and complications, poor results, changes to the body, issues with the implant, like ruptures or leakage, capsular contracture, symptoms of breast implant illness (a chronic condition categorized by the onset of one or more symptoms following a breast implant surgery, including joint and muscle pain, chronic fatigue, rashes, and anxiety) or feeling like they no longer fit or compliment your body. The decision to undergo breast implant removal is a personal one as well as a highly respected one.
Breast implant removal is a simple procedure to get rid of your breast implants. Similar to placing the implants, a small incision is made under the breast to remove them. If you decide to remove your implants, you may be happy au natural or wish to reposition the breasts with an additional procedure. Breast implant removal surgery often encompasses another procedure like a breast lift or fat transfer.
If more natural breasts are on your wish list, you can achieve them by removing your breast implants. The procedure ranks as one of the most satisfactory cosmetic surgeries amongst patients unhappy with their breast implants’ current appearance. That’s because, when handled by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, breast implant removal is incredibly safe and effective for helping women achieve the desired look. Led by our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. David B. Brothers, Plastic Surgery Centre of Atlanta offers breast augmentation and breast implants for women in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Buford, Suwanee, Newnan, and Kennesaw.
What Is BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL?
A breast implant removal is a surgical procedure that permanently removes previously placed breast implants from the breasts. Breast implant removal is often performed on women experiencing symptoms, medical issues, changes to their breasts or breast implants, or no longer finding that their breast implants suit them. While everyone has their reason for wanting to remove their breast implants, it’s a very individual choice that should be thoroughly thought out.
Some breast implant removal patients choose to get rid of their breast implants once and for all, while others wish to have their implants removed, and a secondary procedure is done to enhance the breasts further. However, removing your implants can leave the breasts looking stretched out or with less shape and volume. That’s why Dr. Brothers often perform an explant with a breast lift. To provide further definition with a breast lift, Dr. Brothers can graft fat to the breasts (fat transfer) to restore small amounts of lost volume and add fullness to the upper part of the breasts.
While removing a medical device from your body may sound scary, the procedure is quick and can be completed successfully in an hour or two. Just like breast augmentation, general anesthesia is required so that Dr. Brothers can remove the implants via incisions in the crease of the breasts. If the implants were initially placed through incisions made in the armpits, a new incision must be made in the breast fold to remove the implants properly.
During the surgery, Dr. Brothers will carefully remove the existing implants via an en bloc capsulectomy, eliminating the implant and any hard or painful scar tissue that formed around them and the capsule the implant has been in. In addition, if there is any leakage of silicone filler, that too will be removed at the time of the surgery. After the procedure, the breasts will likely feel swollen there may be some discomfort which is easily managed.
Like any elective breast procedure, there is always the risk of side effects and complications. But with breast implant removal, those risks are relatively small and often mitigated since the device is being removed rather than replaced.
Am I A Candidate For BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL?
Unlike a breast augmentation procedure where you need to fit the bill for the surgery, anyone with breast implants who no longer wants them can have them removed (an explant procedure). However, it is crucial to discuss the pros and cons of removing your implants and what your breasts will look like after with Dr. Brothers during your consultation.
In some cases, the choice to remove the implants is encouraged by your surgeon, especially if you are experiencing capsular contracture, breast implants that have rotated, extreme rippling or wrinkling, a leak in the capsule, or any unexplainable pain. Of course, if you no longer like your implants, that is reason enough to have them removed too.
Patients that experience breast implant illness (BII) often wish to remove their implants via an explant. BII is a chronic condition that presents symptoms including joint and muscle pain, chronic fatigue, skin rashes, or anxiety. Just one symptom may be enough to categorize the unexplained pain as BII. However, the exact cause of breast implant illness is unknown, but it is believed that the body attacks the breast implant to protect itself.
Although breast implants have been used in cosmetic surgeries for decades, the recent onset of breast implant illness affects more women than ever, leaving some weary of their breast implants and wanting to remove them. While some surgeons are on the fence about whether the illness is ‘real,’ others are actively searching and researching why breast implant illness may occur after a breast augmentation surgery. Many theories suggest that the symptoms arise from inflammation caused by silicone, while other experts believe that the implants may bring out diseases, cause immune responses, chronic inflammation, allergies, and even heavy metal poisoning. Patients who choose to have an explant (a surgery that removes the implants) may find relief and improve their symptoms.
Your breast augmentation procedure was individualized to meet your goals, as is a breast implant removal. The procedure is often considered a good fit for those who are:
- Healthy and able to maintain a stable weight
- Nonsmokers
- Experiencing unexplained pain, discomfort, or breast pain
- No longer find their implants flattering to their body
- Wish to have their natural breasts back
- Feel their breasts are too heavy
- Have experienced leaking or ruptured implants
The best way to determine if a breast removal implant is right for you is to consult a knowledgeable plastic surgeon.
For Atlanta breast implant removal patients, Dr. Brothers can listen to your goals and work closely with you to determine the best surgical plan to meet your needs.
BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL OPTIONS
During a consultation with Dr. Brothers, he will discuss your options and walk you through the three ways to remove your breast implants. You may wish to have another breast-enhancing procedure performed following the implant removal. Upon removing breast implants for BII-associated symptoms, most patients find that an explant alleviates all of their symptoms but some only notice a slight improvement. Scientific data does not prove that explant procedures are a ‘cure’ for breast implant illness, and some signs may remain after implant removal, even if they are not as extreme as before.
The leading solutions for trying to alleviate the symptoms of breast implant illness include:
En Bloc Capsulectomy: This technique for removing breast implants involves removing the implant, scar tissue, and the uncut capsule that holds the implants. It’s the preferred technique for addressing silicone leakage. An en bloc capsulectomy differs from a traditional capsulectomy because the scar tissue surrounding the implant and in the breast is extracted as one piece. The implant is also removed with all of the scar tissue surrounding it attached or altogether. Removing the scar tissue and implant as one unit, instead of dissecting the tissue away from the implant, leaves less room for error.
Explant with a mastopexy (breast lift): This procedure is what Dr. Brothers typically recommends for his explant patients. An explant with breast lift involves first surgically removing the breast implants and then immediately following, performing a breast lift. Implants can cause the skin to stretch and become lax, and removing them can leave the skin looking stretched out or droopy. Also, if the breasts have naturally begun to drop with your implants, a breast lift can help lift them back to a more youthful and perkier position. By performing a breast lift alongside an explant, the breasts will look less stretched out, and any excess skin is excised so that the breasts have a more youthful shape and appearance. The positioning of the nipples will also be at a more youthful position. Some explant and breast lift patients also say their breasts appear fuller and rounder, and the position of their nipples is more desirable since they are often addressed in the surgery.
Explant with mastopexy and a fat transfer to the breasts: Removing the breast implants and then performing a mastopexy and fat transfer is a third way of reshaping the breasts sans implants. After taking out the implants, fat is removed from elsewhere on the body, like the stomach or hips, via liposuction and cleaned before it is transferred into the breasts. While the fat transferred to the breasts won’t result in the same amount of fullness and volume that an implant can achieve, it is an excellent way to add some shape to the upper part of the breasts without relying on standard breast implants.
While most patients concerned with the effects of breast implant illness may opt to have their breast implants removed altogether, a small percentage will choose to undergo an implant exchange and replace the older ones with newer ones. But, again, it’s still undetermined whether this will help improve any symptoms.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL
Surprisingly, the recovery from a breast implant removal is not all that different from breast augmentation. Some patients even say removal is easier to heal and recover from than an augmentation.
Once the implants are removed, you will wake up with stitches where the incisions were made, and bandages and a special dressing will be on the breasts. There might be additional dressings and stitches if a lift and/or fat grafting were performed too.
The breasts will be placed in a special post-surgical support bra that provides some compression to help with swelling and protect the breasts and incisions. Some patients also have small, thin drains placed into their breasts to help collect fluid.
After surgery, you must be driven home by a family member or friend since you will be given general anesthesia during the procedure. There may be some pain or discomfort. Prescription medication will be prescribed the day before your procedure to mitigate any pain (fill it in advance so you have it on hand and ready) to help take the edge off. Also, antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent the formation of an infection in the breasts.
You should expect to experience bruising, swelling, and tenderness in the breasts that may persist for a few days to a few weeks. Some women also report itching, redness, discomfort, and a temporary loss of breast sensation. Your scars will be most noticeable after surgery, but they will begin to fade with time.
It can take upwards of six weeks to heal. Most women resume work and non-strenuous activities within one week. Vigorous exercise, including heavy lifting, should be limited for three to six weeks. It’s also important not to lift your arms over your head until Dr. Brothers has given clearance.
WHERE WILL MY INCISIONS BE MADE FOR BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL?
The incisions for breast implant removal will be made in the fold of the breast so that Dr. Brothers can easily access and remove the implants. If a different incision was used during your breast augmentation to place the implants, you will have a new scar.
HOW MUCH DOES A BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL COST IN ATLANTA?
The cost of breast implant removal surgery varies from patient to patient and depends on the surgery details. Following your consultation, the Plastic Surgery Centre of Atlanta team will provide a detailed surgery cost, complete with all applicable fees for Dr. Brothers and his surgical staff, necessary medical supplies, and follow-up care.
Financing is available through CareCredit®. We also accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards.
Breast Reduction FAQS
-
How should I choose my breast removal implant plastic surgeon?
Breast removal implant surgery requires extensive knowledge and skin. As with all plastic surgery procedures, your results depend on your plastic surgeon. Therefore, you must seek an experienced breast surgeon with whom you feel comfortable. Dr. Brothers is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of breast surgery experience. The choice of your plastic surgeon is among the most significant decisions you will make in this process. We recommend you schedule a consultation with Dr. Brothers to discuss your case.
-
What anesthesia is used for breast implant removal surgery with a lift?
Breast surgery is an invasive procedure. Therefore, your surgery will likely be performed under general anesthesia. This anesthesia allows for both safety and comfort.
-
Will I have scars after my procedure?
Yes. Scars are a normal part of any surgical process, and unfortunately, there is no way to avoid them. Dr. Brothers might be able to use an existing scar if your breast implants were initially placed through the crease under the breasts. If not, an incision will need to be made there.
Scars will develop along the incision lines. If fat grafting is performed in addition to a breast lift, there will be small incisions where the fat is removed.
-
When will I see my results?
You will notice results immediately after surgery since the implants will no longer be within the breasts. However, there will be swelling at first, which can make just-operated-on breasts appear slightly larger than they are. However, these results will continue to improve over the following weeks as the swelling subsides. You should see your final results within six weeks.
