There can be a number of reasons for a woman to have her breast implants removed or replaced. Sometimes the reason is a change in personal preference or aesthetic. Other times there are issues with the implants.
Candidates for breast explant/breast implant removal should meet the following criteria:
There are a number of breast implant removal procedures, depending on your unique needs and goals for your body.
Capsular contracture is the tightening and calcification of the capsule (the tissue that your body forms around any foreign object in the body, such as breast implants). If the capsule becomes infected and the implant feels hard, breast explant surgery is done to remove it.
During the procedure, incisions will be made in the same place as they were made in the original implant surgery.The implant and the capsule together are removed and the incisions are closed.
If you wish to continue to have augmented breasts, once Dr. Shermak removes the old implants, new implants of your choosing are inserted, giving your breasts the look and feel you desire.
If you don’t want to have implants but still want enhanced size and volume, a fat transfer can be performed. During this procedure, fat is removed from one part of the body that has surplus fat tissue, which gives you the added benefit of sculpting and shaping that area. The fat cells are purified and then injected into the breasts, which gives them a fuller, more natural appearance.
If the breast skin is stretched or sagging, which is often the case, a breast lift may be done at the same time as the implant removal. The excess breast skin will be removed to tighten the breasts and the breasts will be lifted higher on the chest wall. The nipples will be repositioned for a perky, youthful look.
During this procedure, Dr. Shermak will remove your implants without adding a lift or replacing the augmentation with implants or fat transfer.
Dr. Shermak is an understanding, board-certified, outstanding plastic surgeon whose mission it is to restore your beauty, self-confidence and positive self-image. She is known for her expertise, excellent results and attention to detail. Her individualized approach and experience make her one of the top ranked plastic surgeons in Baltimore.
How painful is breast explant surgery?
Will my breasts sag after implant removal?
How long do you wear a compression bra after implant removal?
How long does it take to remove the implants?
What kind of scars will I have?
How much does breast implant removal cost?
When can I return to work?
Do I need a lift after implant removal?
Recovery from breast explant surgery includes some pain and discomfort and typically takes several weeks, but tends to be less painful and take less time than the original surgery performed to place the implants.
Yes, your breasts will usually sag after the implants are removed.
You will wear your compression bra for 2-3 weeks following the procedure. This allows the tissues to shrink back and maintain the shape and lift of the breasts after the surgery.
The procedure itself usually takes one to three hours.
Dr. Shermak can often use the same incision location as your previous lift to avoid additional scarring. If a new incision is needed, it will either be under the breast along the crease of the skin or around the areola, where changes in skin pigmentation will make the scar less noticeable.
This depends on multiple factors, including the type of your previous breast augmentation, the severity of scar tissue, and whether you would like to have new implants placed or a simultaneous breast lift. During your consultation with Dr. Shermak, you will be able to cover the details of which procedure or combination procedure you choose and what the cost is.
Many patients can return to work after a few days or a week.
If your nipples are sitting low on your breasts and the breasts themselves are sagging, a breast lift is needed to reshape and lift the breasts and relocate the nipples higher on the breasts for a perkier look. This is quite common after implant removal.
