Removing breast implants can be a personal choice, a lifestyle decision, or it may be necessary for health reasons due to a rupture or other maintenance issues. Whatever your reasons for considering breast implant removal, Dina Eliopoulos, MD, can help you with expert surgical care to restore better comfort, wellness, and confidence in your body. Read on to learn more about the reasons patients might choose breast implant removal with a female plastic surgery specialist like Dr. Eliopoulos.
There are many reasons why a woman decides to have her breast implants removed.
It could be a practical or health reason, such as capsular contracture or a rupture. It may simply be a lifestyle change in that she no longer wishes to keep her existing breast implants. Here are some of the main reasons why a woman opts to have breast implant removal in Chelmsford:
Capsular contracture: With capsular contracture, the normal “shell” or “capsule” that the body forms around the implant becomes tight, making the breast feel firmer, causing discomfort, or distorting its shape, and often creating more fullness in the upper pole of the breast. Depending on several factors, options may be to remove the implant along with the capsular contracture tissue, with or without placement of a new implant.
Deflation of saline implant. A leak or rupture is the main reason for breast implant removal. Saline implants are extremely durable, especially the most recent generation of implants, but they still have a risk of rupture or deflation over time. A ruptured saline implant is not dangerous but presents a cosmetic issue. If this occurs, the deflated or ruptured implant can be removed with or without replacement.
Rupture or leakage of silicone implant. Silicone implants are also extremely durable, But they still have a risk of rupture or deflation over time. With a silicone gel implant, it is more difficult to notice a difference because the leakage is smaller. Gel leaks tend to go into the pocket or protective capsule around the implant. Changes in the shape or feel of the breast may indicate a rupture, especially if the implant is older. A suspected rupture requires prompt evaluation with an MRI or ultrasound. Removal of the ruptured implant will typically be recommended, with or without replacement.
Lifestyle. Some women find that over the years, their goals and desires change and they prefer a different breast size to fit their particular lifestyle. Changes in body weight can cause the breasts to increase in size and feel too large. For some women, having large, heavy breasts affects the quality of their life, including when working out in the gym or on a hike. Removing the implants or replacing them with a smaller size can bring your physique into harmony with your current body proportions and lifestyle.
Moving out of position. Over the years, the pocket where the implant sits may stretch. An implant may move out of position into a higher or lower place or even fall inward or outward, requiring removal or replacement.
Rippling: A rippling effect happens when the liquid inside the implant starts to move around inside the implant, which can occur with either saline or silicone implants. Removing or replacing the implant restores a natural look to the breasts.
Breast implant illness (BII). Breast implant illness refers to a range of troubling symptoms reported by some women with breast implants. These can include joint and muscle pain, trouble with mood and cognition, chronic pain, fatigue, and other issues. The exact causes of BII are still being studied, and there is no specific test for breast implant illness. Rather, this is a diagnosis of exclusion and will first require a workup from your primary care physician to rule out other causes for your symptoms. If no other diagnoses are made, then breast implant illness may be considered as the culprit. Studies show that patients with suspected breast implant illness see improvement in their symptoms after removing their implants.
I want to take a moment to address the recent development of certain types of breast implants that may be associated with cancer. In fact, BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer but rather a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.
If you have, or had, textured implants or textured implant expanders, you may be at risk of developing BIA ALCL, which involves the growth of lymphoma cells in or around a breast implant scar capsule. There can be fluid around the implant and thickness of the scar capsule. It's important to recognize the symptoms of BIA ALCL, which can mirror other conditions such as capsular contracture. You may have to get your breast or implant examined for fluid and/or tissue concerns. Here are some of the potential signs of BIA ALCL:
I am committed to the safety of my patients and can discuss any concerns over Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma and whether to remove or replace your implant.
Breast implant removal, also known as explantation, offers several potential benefits:
For more information about breast implant removal, please contact our Chelmsford plastic surgery center today. Our caring team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you make the best possible decision about your particular situation.
Dr. Dina Eliopoulos is known for her over two decades of experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon as well as her dedication to her patients. During a consultation, Boston breast implant removal patients will have a chance to ask questions and receive important information about breast implant removal. Dr. Eliopoulos will also help you visualize how your breasts will look after removing your implants. She will also discuss options for additional procedures, such as adding a breast lift to your breast implant removal surgery. She will provide information so, together, you can make the best decision for you.
Dr. Eliopoulos uses her surgical excellence and experience to make your procedure a successful one. She cares about her patients and creates a safe and comfortable environment.
Schedule a Consultation TodayA breast implant removal procedure concerns the withdrawal of breast implants and any scar tissue that has formed around them. General anesthesia or intravenous sedation can be administered for your comfort. During a breast implant removal Boston plastic surgeon Dr. Eliopoulos will place an incision along the lower fold of your breast or around or below the areola and remove the capsules and implants. A surgical drain is typically placed before closing the incision. Finally, Dr. Eliopoulos will close the incisions using sutures, clips, or skin adhesives.
Boston breast implant removal candidates are typically in good physical health with a stable weight. You will need removal if you have leakage or rupture in your breast implants, if capsular contracture has become an issue, or if you no longer desire your current breast implants and are ready for a lifestyle change.
When it comes to breast implant removal surgery, there are ways to minimize risks. It is important that you are not feeling ill or taking any medications, especially those with blood-thinning effects. As with any surgery, there are possible complications such as a bad reaction to anesthesia, asymmetry, bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, fat necrosis, hematoma, infection, poor healing of incisions, scar tissue, seroma, and skin discoloration, loss, or scarring. There could also be numbness in the nipple or areola or loss of skin sensation. Dr. Eliopoulos takes every precaution during surgery and makes safety her number #1 priority.
Yes, you will have a scar but it will be minimal and inconspicuous after it heals and fades over time.
You can expect your breast implant removal to be permanent once your breasts regain their shape, which can take up to three weeks. They may appear deflated during that time.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 48,000 women had a breast implant removal procedure in 2018. Breaking it down, 29,236 were breast augmentation patients and 19,149 were reconstructive patients.
After removing breast implants, you can enjoy a return to a more natural-looking breast shape and size, depending on the procedure you select. Removal of implants can also alleviate discomfort caused by implant-related issues such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, or implant displacement. Some patients may experience relief from symptoms such as pain, tightness, or skin sensitivity associated with breast implants. Additionally, many patients report feeling a sense of liberation and improved self-esteem after removing breast implants. Dr. Eliopoulos finds that women who have explantation surgery are typically very happy with their decision.
Plastic surgery isn’t just about people changing their look—it's about making you feel good about being you. Whether you need breast augmentation, a breast lift, liposuction or Botox, Dr. Dina Eliopoulos is here for you. For over 20 years, patients have sought out the care and results that Dr. Eliopoulos can create in her beautiful Chelmsford, Massachusetts office. The peace of mind that comes from a board-certified, residency- and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon is hard to parallel. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Eliopoulos today to experience the difference for yourself.
