Implant Removal/Replacement

Removal or replacement of breast implants
for personal or medical reasons

The doctors at Gawley Plastic Surgery are trained and experienced in the best techniques to remove breast implants effectively and safely, including En Bloc breast implant removal.

Implants can be removed due to rupture, capsular contracture, or cosmetic preferences.

Am I a Good Candidate for Implant Removal/Replacement?

The ideal candidate for breast implant removal or replacement is in generally good health overall. You should be informed about the procedure and have realistic expectations. The procedure is best for those who wish to achieve one or more the following:

  • Remove and replace a ruptured implant
  • Remove and replace a recalled implant
  • Replace implants for a larger or smaller size
  • Alleviate pain from capsular contracture
  • Reshape or reposition the breast implant
  • Replace the implant with a different style (silicone or saline)
  • Remove implants altogether
  • Concern about Breast Implant Illness (BII)

The Procedure

While breast augmentation remains the most popular cosmetic procedure, many patients seek En Bloc breast implant removal. This can be for a variety of reasons. Many also find that their breast implants no longer suit their cosmetic preferences or changing lifestyle, and wish to remove their implants altogether.

It is also possible that a patient is not happy with the size of their breasts after a previous breast augmentation, and wishes to replace their current implants with a new size or remove them altogether.

Finally, breast implants can occasionally rupture. This is typically not damaging to your health; leaked saline is safely absorbed by the body, and silicone generally stays in place until it can be removed by a surgeon. The FDA has also recalled some types of implants, but these only account for a miniscule number of the implants used. We understand our patients’ worries about breast implant health. However, understand that complications with breast implants are not the norm, and that the doctors at Gawley Plastic Surgery are well prepared to address any problems should they occur.

Whatever your reasons for seeking breast implant removal or replacement, En Bloc procedures are the most effective option. “En Bloc” means “in one piece,” and refers to a surgery in which the implant, capsule, and any leaked material is removed together. The doctors at Gawley Plastic Surgery are trained and experienced in the best techniques to remove breast implants effectively and safely.

Breast Experts

Both Dr. Gawley and Dr. Geoghegan are cosmetic and reconstructive experts when it comes to breast surgery. They are passionate about helping patients achieve both the look they desire and long-lasting, natural results. During your consultation, your surgeon will take a unique approach and work with you to select the right implants for your body and desired outcome.

Complimentary Procedures

Breast Augmentation

A breast augmentation is a procedure that will change the shape and fullness of your breasts using implants.

Breast enlargement is one of our most popular procedures at our practice. Our surgeons can help you achieve the size and shape you have always wanted or restore your pre-childbirth breast size.

At Gawley Plastic Surgery, it is our goal for breast augmentation patients to achieve a size that is natural and proportionate to their body.

Breast Lift

breast lift does not add volume to your breasts, but it can make your breasts appear larger by bringing the breast tissue together. Shape, firmness, and placement can be improved. The benefits of a breast lift include:

  • Removing excess skin
  • Lifting sagging breasts
  • Firmer breasts
  • Improved shape
  • Reduce areola size

 

When removing implants, a patient can opt for a lift in combination with fat grafting to achieve natural fullness if desired.

Fat Grafting
(Fat Transfer)

Transfer of fat to the breasts is a natural solution to achieve more fullness and enhance the results of breast procedures. This is also used if a patient does not have enough breast tissue to achieve their desired outcome.

Using the patient’s own fat cells, a fat graft, or fat transfer can be used in combination with implants, or to achieve fullness without implants when removing implants or going through reconstructive surgery. By using your own natural fat cells, a subtle enhancement is achieved for long-lasting, natural results.

Recovery & Results
From Breast Implant Surgery

Recovery from an implant removal or exchange surgery is very similar to a breast augmentation procedure. After your surgery, you will be sent home with bandages around your incision sites to help reduce swelling and minimize bleeding. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions for what you can and cannot do immediately after surgery and in the weeks to come.

The recovery process varies from patient to patient based on the extent of the procedure and your ability to heal. In general, you will need to avoid strenuous activity for a few weeks, although many patients begin to feel like themselves a few days after their procedure.

For many breast implant removal/exchange patients, it can take a few months for all the swelling in the breasts to subside. This is just a natural part of healing for many women and you should not be worried if it has been a month and your breasts feel hard or look swollen. Once swelling has gone down after implant removal, a follow-up appointment can be made with one of our surgeons to determine if you’re a candidate for fat grafting to add more natural volume if desired.

You can see what our surgeons have achieved for other breast implant and removal patients by browsing our before-and-after photos to get an idea of what this procedure could mean for you.

Envision Your
Natural Results

Breast Implant Removal/Replacement FAQs

Implants do not actually expire, however, they will not likely last you a lifetime. The current gummy bear implants have a rupture rate that is less than 10% at 10 years. By thirty years, that number is likely much higher. The best way to ensure your implants longevity is to work with one of our surgeons and follow all of the postoperative instructions.

In the United States, the FDA asked Allergan to voluntarily recall its textured breast implants and expanders (Biocell). The implants have been linked to a rare cancer know as breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Of note, in other parts of the world, ALL textured implants have been recalled as BIA-ALCL has been found with all manufacturers textured implants albeit with different rates.

Following a breast augmentation, you may notice that your implants fall slightly as they settle into place. This is completely normal. Eventually, the downward force of the implant and cause some sagging. This takes years to happen and even longer when you work with us choose the implant that fits your breast and chest for a beautiful, natural, long-lasting result.

Breast implant illness can present with a variety of symptoms: joint and muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, rash memory loss, chronic pain, depression, chronic flu-like symptoms, headaches / migraines, rashes or skin problems, frequent infections, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, anxiety, insomnia and “brain fog.” While the causes of these symptoms are unclear, patients have reported relief of these symptoms with removal of their implants and surrounding scar tissue capsule. We are working to better understand the possible link between breast implants and these symptoms. 

Once swelling has gone down after implant removal, a follow-up appointment can be made with one of our surgeons to determine how much breast tissue you have and if you’re a candidate for fat grafting to add more natural volume if desired. Fat grafting is a great option for patients who are looking to completely remove their implants, but would still like some volume.