The decision to have breast implants is as major as deciding to have them removed. In Boca Raton, FL, and the surrounding communities, Daniel Man, M.D., a Florida board-certified plastic surgeon, performs breast implant removal on women who decide that they no longer want breast implants or want to remove their current implants in favor of larger or smaller ones.

What is Breast Implant Removal?

Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure that involves removing implants from the breasts either because women have decided that they no longer want them or need to have them replaced. This procedure is often done on women who decide that they no longer want larger breasts or who, although very rare, have begun to have issues with the implants.

Benefits of Breast Implant Removal

Women often choose to have breast implant removal because they:

  • Want smaller yet shapely breasts
  • Do not want to continue replacing implants every 10 – 15 years
  • Decide they no longer want large breasts
  • Have a physical issue with the implants (rarely occurs)

Is Breast Implant Removal Right for Me?

Breast implant removal may be right for you if you need replacement implants, but do not want to continue the process, have pain associated with your implants, or no longer want to have larger breasts like you once did. Women choose to have breast implant removal for several reasons, whether personal, medical, or visual.

If you have any of the following issues, you may want to consider breast implant removal:

  • A rupture or leak in the implant
  • Hardening of the implants
  • Capsular contracture
  • An infection around the implant

Other issues that might force you to consider removing your implants are:

  • The size of the implants is no longer what you want
  • One seems to have shifted out of place, making them unbalanced or too close together
  • Pregnancy or weight gain has altered the size of your breasts

Capsular contracture is a condition in which the capsule that naturally forms around the implant contracts. This causes the implant to be squeezed, which can be very painful. Depending on the severity, capsular contracture is divided into four degrees of this condition. When capsular contraction occurs, it is necessary to remove the implant.

How Involved is Breast Implant Removal?

The procedure typically involves making incisions where the original incisions for the implants were to reduce scarring. Once the incisions are made, the implants are carefully removed from the breast area. At that point, Dr. Man must evaluate the skin and breast tissue to determine what he needs to do to restore the breasts to their natural position. Part of the evaluation is to decide if a breast lift is needed.

Breast implant removal surgery is quick, taking only about an hour to complete. Once the implants are removed, Dr. Man either closes the incisions or continues the procedure of lifting the breasts and/or replacing the implants. Once the procedure is complete, the breasts are bandaged with draining tubes that are put in place to remove fluid.

Preparing for Breast Implant Removal

The decision to have breast implant removal is a big one and requires a lot of thought. A woman’s appearance drastically changes once the size of the breasts are reduced. They also look different because there may be excess skin and sagging, which may require a breast lift.

Dr. Man provides patients with detailed instructions on how to prepare for surgery. These instructions may include (but may not be limited to):

  • Have a complete physical
  • Have a mammogram
  • Lose some weight
  • Stop smoking at least six weeks before surgery
  • Stop taking Aspirin or other NSAIDs that can cause bleeding
  • Stay hydrated
  • Buy clothing that is easy to get in and out of without raising your arms
  • For mothers with infants or toddlers under five years of age, arrange for childcare for the two weeks following your surgery
  • Establish a no-fail support system (you will not be allowed to drive a car, clean, do laundry, or lift anything for two weeks)

To avoid potential complications and risks, it is important to follow instructions before and after the breast implant removal.

After a Breast Implant Removal Procedure

After breast implant removal, patients may rest comfortably in our recovery area until the anesthesia begins to wear off. The breasts are bandaged and draining tubes may be put into place.

They are given medications to prevent infection as well as minimize discomfort. It is imperative for patients to have someone stay with them for the first 24 hours after the surgery. An alternative is to stay overnight at our center for the first night following surgery to receive care during that time. Our nurses are all ACSL certified and our facility has specialized recovery options. This includes chest wall cooling methods to reduce pain and swelling, a hyperbaric chamber, and oxygen treatments to speed healing.

The most intense discomfort occurs during the first 48 hours when range of motion is limited. Lifting the arms is difficult and should be avoided for the first few days. It is also recommended that patients sleep on an incline.

How is the Recovery from Breast Implant Removal?

The recovery for breast implant removal is much less involved than other breast enhancement procedures. It typically takes a couple of weeks, but may take up to six weeks depending on the extent of the procedure. Heavy lifting, strenuous activities, and exercise should be avoided if pain exists. It is recommended that patients stay home from work for the first week.

Once the initial period of discomfort has passed, it is recommended that patients call us if something causes pain to flare up. Additionally, let us know if a high temperature develops or if one or both of your breasts are excessively swollen, tender to the touch, painful, red, or inflamed.

How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost?

The cost of breast implant removal varies for each patient depending on the extent of the procedure and whether it is combined with other breast or cosmetic procedures. During a consultation, costs are discussed as well as our payment options, including financing, to help make the procedure more affordable.

What Do I Do Next?

If you are considering breast implant removal, we recommend you schedule a consultation with Dr. Man. At this appointment, he talks to you about your reasons for wanting to remove your breast implants and the details of the procedure. He then evaluates your breasts and gives his recommendations for the procedure. Some of the information you need to provide includes:

  • A full medical history
  • Any past or present medical conditions
  • Medical treatments you have received in the past
  • Past surgeries or hospitalizations
  • Allergies or sensitivities
  • Current medications
  • Current mammogram results
  • Family history of breast cancer
  • Any plans for weight loss
  • Any plans for pregnancy

Also, during your consultation, Dr. Man will examine, measure, and photograph your breasts, then consider the following before making a recommendation:

  • The current breast shape and size you have
  • The quality and quantity of your existing breast tissue
  • The location of your areola and nipple placement
  • The quality of your skin

If you have sagging breasts once the implants come out, you may need a breast lift. Dr. Man wants you to be an active participant in developing your plan of treatment. By ensuring that you are well educated about your options, he can help you choose the best procedure for you.

Daniel Man, M.D., is a board-certified Florida plastic surgeon who performs breast implant removal on women living in Boca Raton, FL, and the surrounding communities who want to remove their implants for cosmetic, medical or personal reasons. Please contact us to set up your consultation today.

*The information about breast implant removal was reviewed by Dr. Daniel Man. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.