Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure to remove silicone implants (used for breast augmentation). Some also refer to this as a breast augmentation reversal procedure. Patients usually request breast implant removal to treat capsular contracture, a condition in which the scar tissue builds around the implants and hardens, distorting breast shape and causing pain after breast augmentation.

Breast implant removal may be recommended or personally requested by patients for implant replacement due to implant leaks, capsular contracture, or breast pain and discomfort due to implants. Breast implant removal can be a stand-alone procedure or, combined with exchanging the implants, maybe for a different size or brand.

Why do people want breast implant removal?

Breast implants do not last for a lifetime. Every 10 to 20 years, breast implant removal or replacement is recommended, although the time may vary for each individual. Breast implant replacement also depends on the brand of implant used and other implant-independent breast issues. However, women may also want it for breast changes after breast augmentation due to:

• Pregnancy
• Weight loss
• Age 
• Breastfeeding

Some women may also opt for it to relieve discomfort caused by breast augmentation. 

When is breast implant removal recommended?

It may be recommended to you under the following conditions:

• Pain due to the hardening of scar tissue around the implant called capsular contracture.
• Treat implant leakage.
• Suspecting rare cancer that occurs in scar tissue around an implant. Breast Implant-Associated Cancer BIA-ALCL is associated with textured implants. 
• Treat calcium buildup around the implant.
• Treat implant shift.
• Change the implant size to match breast proportions.
• The breast implants can be replaced by fat transfer. Hence, it can be recommended then.

What happens during the breast implant removal procedure?

Dr Rory will study your breast scans to plan your breast implant removal surgery. The choice of incision type and anaesthesia will completely depend on the surgeon’s discretion.

On the day of your surgery, you will be sedated with anaesthesia to make you comfortable during surgery. The surgeon will make an incision to access the breast implant. The removal is done very diligently. Dr Rory also removes the hardened scar tissue that causes pain or may cause a lump over time.

If breast replacement is needed, another breast implant is placed, or fat transfer is also an option. But if only breast implant removal is done, then after the removal, the operated site is cleansed with an antiseptic solution, and the incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures.

What to expect from breast implant removal?

Breast implant removal risks

However, breast removal surgery is often done to remedy the pain and discomfort due to breast implants; the breast implant removal procedure may have the following risks.

• Pain and swelling in the operated site
• Numbness in breasts for a few days
• Scarring from incisions
• Asymmetry initially after surgery
• Seroma drainage. Dr Rory will attach a cannula to the operated site to drain the fluid buildup from the healing of surgery.

Breast implant removal benefits

• Pain relief: The breast implant removal will relieve pain and discomfort due to scar tissue hardening, implant shift, or contracture.
• Proportionate breasts: Implant rupture of contracture may distort breast shape. In such a case, breast implant removal can restore breasts to better shape and proportion.
• Mammograms possible: Breast implants may interfere with breast mammograms; hence breast implant removal increases the possibility of obtaining better quality and accurate mammograms. 

The surgeon may recommend a breast implant removal on suspecting cancerous tissues present in the breasts for which you would need frequent mammograms, and a breast implant may interfere with the process.

Get safe and effective breast implant removal from Dr Rory McGoldrick

Dr Rory McGoldrick is one of the most sought-after and highly reputed plastic surgeons in Dubai, with over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery. He specialises in breast surgeries, and his reputation is such that most of his patients come from word of mouth, from those who already had surgery from him.

Your choice of a surgeon definitely makes a difference. Therefore, book an appointment with Dr Rory and discuss your capsular contracture issues caused by breast implants.