Breast Implant Removal and Replacement
REQUEST A FREE NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATIONBreast Implant Removal and Replacement
If you’re no longer happy with the appearance of your current breast implants, or if you have experienced a problem with them such as a rupture or capsular contracture, I can advise you on the most appropriate corrective procedure for your individual needs. Implant replacement can allow for the capsule around the old implant to be released, so the new inplant settles into a softer, more natural shape.
You may want simply to exchange your old worn out implants for new implants, or you may want to change the size of implants you have. Some women want their implants removing permanently. There are a number of different options available to you depending on your desired look and the condition of your current implants. During your pre-operative consultation you will be able to discuss all of these options to see which approach will be suits you best.
Women choose breast implant removal/replacement for many different reasons, which may include:
- Your implants were put in many years ago.
- Your implants are the wrong shape or size.
- Your implants no longer fit with your body
- Your implants have changed shape or become firm and painful (Capsular Contracture)
- Your implants have ruptured or deflated.
- ‘Bottoming out’ – the implant has drooped below the natural breast crease.
- “Double bubble” – the beast has drooped over the implant.
- You’re concerned about the type of implants you have may be faulty e.g. PIP implants
- You’re concerned about recent media reports of ALCL
- You don’t want to breastfeed with implants in place.
The benefits include:
- Peace of mind that old or problematic implants are no longer in your body.
- Reassurance that you have modern implants with an established safety record.
- Having breast implants that ‘fit’ with your body shape and lifestyle
- Restoring a natural appearance to your breasts
- Restored body confidence and self-esteem.
- The breast implant removal or replacement procedure itself is very similar to your initial breast enlargement surgery.
- Surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic (asleep), and typically takes one to two hours.
It may be day surgery, or you may stay one night in hospital, depending on the procedure you are having.
Your options are:
– Implant removal
– Implant replacement
– Breast capsulotomy
– Breast uplift - Implant removal/replacement sometimes needs to be combined with a breast uplift (mastopexy) procedure to remove any lax or sagging skin from the breast. This may be necessary to restore an uplifted, firm and youthful appearance to your breasts.
- Any capsule that has formed around the previous implant may be released (capsulotomy)to allow the new implant to settle into a natural breast shape, and improve the appearance of the cleavage area.
- Usually the implant is removed and replaced through the old scar in the crease under the breast. All the stitches are dissolvable, so they don’t need removing.
- I’ll see you in clinic about one week after the operation to make sure everything is going well, and will give you comprehensive aftercare instructions on when you can resume normal activities and exercise.
- Recovery is usually relatively quick and any discomfort should be easily controlled with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol. Typically you need two weeks off work and it’s six weeks before you return to full exercise.
- I recommend you wear a sports bra (no underwired bras) 24/7 to support the breasts for 6 weeks afterwards.
If you are removing your implants because they are faulty or have come to the end of their lifetime then you will likely have your implants replaced as you like their appearance. An exchange of breast implants aims to restore you close to the original appearance when you first had implants.
Quite commonly, women feel they no longer want a big bust or the oversized artificial look once associated with implants, and so are opting for smaller sized implants to restore a natural appearance.
Women who have implants removed without replacement may initially feel and look empty. It’ll naturally take some time for you to adjust to your new appearance, but just a few days on from surgery, your breasts will start to regain some of the shape they had prior to your breast enlargement surgery. Less than 50% of patients who think they’ll need a breast uplift after implant removal actually require it.
