Breast Implant Removal (Explantation) In Miami, FL
Daniel Careaga, MD
Paul Durand, MD
Breast Implant Removal
Whether it is an aesthetic or functional decision, breast implant removal is commonly performed to restore physical comfort and improve breast aesthetics following an initial breast enhancement surgery.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Durand and Dr. Careaga, perform breast implant removal (a secondary breast surgery) in Miami, Florida.
Why Should I Choose Careaga Plastic Surgery?
Careaga Plastic Surgery provides a serene and immaculate setting for your cosmetic transformation. With state-of-the-art technology and a dedicated staff, their goal is to help you achieve the aesthetic results you want in a safe and comfortable environment. Dr. Durand and Dr. Careaga are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and have years of experience performing breast enhancement procedures, including initial augmentations and revision procedures.
Breast Implant Removal Can Correct:
Implant Complications
While breast implants are very reliable, they can still be damaged or experience complications.
Common implant complications include:
- Capsular contracture: Surrounding scar tissue contracts and squeezes the implant
- Implant rupture: The implant’s silicone shell weakens and rips
- Implant displacement: The implant moves out of the breast pocket
Change In Aesthetic Preference
Occasionally, women that once wanted larger implants decide they now want a different aesthetic outcome, as the years pass. Breast implant removal and other breast revision surgery allow women to tweak their breast augmentation results by choosing larger or smaller implants.
To Restore Natural Breasts
It is possible for some women to become unhappy with their breast augmentation results. Whether the excess weight of the implants is interfering with their day-to-day activities or they experienced a complication that they do not want to risk repeating, permanent breast implant removal can restore a natural breast aesthetic.
What Are My Breast Implant Removal Options?
Permanent Implant Removal
Women who wish to return to a natural breast aesthetic can choose to remove their implants permanently.
With this technique, the implants are removed and the breast pockets are tightened.
Implant Removal With Breast Lift
Women who had large implants or had their implants for several years may discover that their breasts sag once the implants are gone. This is because implants can stretch and weaken the breast tissue and skin. Breast sagging, with or without the replacement of the implant, is addressed with a breast lift.
Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) is commonly combined with breast implant removal to elevate sagging breasts and restore a natural and perky breast aesthetic. During this procedure, the weakened glandular tissues are tightened, and the excess skin is removed.
For those patients who do not wish to have their implants replaced but still want some breast volume, fat grafting at the time of explantation is another option.
Implant Removal And Replacement
Many women who choose to undergo breast implant removal do so to repair a damaged breast implant—and not necessarily because they are unhappy with their augmented breasts.
During a breast revision procedure, you have the option of replacing a damaged implant with a new healthy one, or you can select a different implant. New implants can be larger or smaller or can be a different profile, shape, or filling material. The placement of the implants (above or below the breast muscle) can also be adjusted at this time, but this may require additional surgical techniques to repair the existing breast pocket.
How Is Breast Implant Removal Performed?
Breast implant removal is an outpatient surgical procedure performed in the following steps:
Step 1:
An incision will be made on the breast to remove the damaged or unwanted implant. This incision will be made along the inframammary fold or around the areola.
If possible, your surgeon at Careaga Plastic Surgery will use the same incision as your initial breast augmentation to reduce post-operative scarring.
Step 2:
The implant and surrounding scar tissue will be removed from the breast pocket.
An en bloc capsulectomy may be performed to remove the implant and scar tissue in one piece. This may be recommended for ruptured silicone implants because it better ensures that silicone will not escape into the body. This technique requires a larger incision, and it may or may not be the optimal choice for you. Dr. Durand or Dr. Careaga will explain your surgical options during your consultation.
Step 3:
A new implant will be inserted, or the breast pocket will be repaired and tightened.
Step 4:
The incisions are closed.
Breast Implant Removal Concerns
How Long Is My Breast Implant Removal Recovery?
The recovery period after your breast implant removal will not be significantly different than that of your initial breast augmentation. Many women report feeling less pain with breast implant removal than with their original breast augmentation, as there is less muscle work done.
Following breast implant removal, your breasts may be wrapped in a compression garment/surgical bra that will aid in the healing process by protecting the incisions, promoting blood circulation, and reducing swelling.
Any post-operative discomfort can be alleviated with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.
Most women return to work and their day-to-day activities within a few days, but strenuous lifting, pushing, and pulling should be limited for at least four to six weeks to allow the incisions and breast tissues to heal.
How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost?
Breast implant removal surgery is personalized for each patient. Depending on what is done, the cost of the procedure can vary.
The final price will also be impacted by whether or not you are choosing to remove your implants permanently, selecting to remove your implants with a breast lift, or opting to remove and replace your implants.
Dr. Durand and Dr. Careaga both have years of experience performing both initial breast augmentation and secondary breast revision, and they will go over all the available options and costs with their patients.
What Results Can I Expect After Breast Implant Removal?
The final results of your breast implant removal will be fully apparent as soon as the bruising and swelling subside—which should be within a few weeks.
If you choose to replace your implants, you may experience minor shifting and settling of the implants over the following weeks and months. This will not be significantly different to your initial breast augmentation.
The results of your breast implant removal are considered to be permanent, barring significant weight fluctuations, pregnancy, or implant complications (should a new implant be requested).
Your breasts will continue to age naturally, which means they may eventually experience some sagging (known as breast ptosis). You should maintain a stable weight and protect your breasts by wearing a supportive bra, as this will prolong the quality of your results.
Breast Implant Removal FAQs
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Women considering breast implant removal are generally either experiencing a complication with their implant(s) or are no longer satisfied by the appearance of their augmented breasts. Candidates for this procedure do not smoke, are in good overall health, and have realistic expectations of their results.
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Breast implant removal can benefit women who:
- Desire a larger or smaller implant
- Experience pain or aesthetic distortion from a damaged breast implant
- Wish to return to a natural breast aesthetic
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Your surgeons at Careaga Plastic Surgery have many years of experience performing breast implant removal and understand the surgical methods needed to ensure a safe procedure with a comfortable recovery.
While rare, physical complications can occur, such as:
- Harmful interactions with the anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Blot clots
- Infection
- Seroma
- Prolonged wound healing
Additional Implant Complications
Rare aesthetic complications can also occur, such as:
- Unfavorable scarring
- Breast asymmetry
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Capsular contracture is, unfortunately, one of the most common reasons that women undergo breast implant removal. The causes of capsular contracture are unknown, and, therefore, there is no way to guarantee that this complication will never occur.
While it is not proven, it is believed that breast implant massages, inframammary fold incisions, and implant placement beneath the pectoral muscle may reduce your chances of experiencing this complication.
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Concern over breast cancer is entirely understandable. Fortunately, breast implants—even ruptured implants—do not increase your chances of breast cancer. Studies on this question are being done continuously, and no correlation has ever been found.
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Of course. Even if you choose not to replace your implants during your initial breast implant removal, you can always choose to replace them down the line.
However, if you choose to replace your implants at a later time, you may have additional scar tissue that will have to be accounted for.
How Can I Learn More About Breast Implant Removal In Miami?
If you are experiencing complications with your breast implants or if you are no longer satisfied by their aesthetic, contact Careaga Plastic Surgery by calling (305) 960-7511 or by filling out our online contact form.
