Breast Implant Removal

A patient may choose breast implant removal surgery for many reasons, but most of these procedures occur for one of two main reasons. First, you may wish to alter the size or shape of your breasts for aesthetic reasons. Or you are experiencing complications with the implants. They are not meant to be permanent, and they may need to be changed after many years (after ten years or greater, in most cases).

Dr. Gabbay works as a board-certified surgeon in Beverly Hills, providing patients from across the country with premium care that can make a difference in his patients’ lives. Discover the suite of procedures available at Gabbay Plastic Surgery with a personal consultation.

Procedure at a Glance

Procedure Goal: Remove Breast Implants
Procedure Length: 1-3 Hours
Anesthesia: General or Awake w/ Sedation
In/Out Patient: Outpatient
Initial Recovery: 1 Week
Duration of Results: Years to Decades

Before & Afters

I like not only to be loved, but also to be told I am loved.

- GEORGE ELIOT

What Is Breast Implant Removal and Capsulectomy?

Breast implant removal surgery is for patients who want their breast augmentation implants to be removed. The reasons for choosing this procedure are varied, but generally fall into two categories: cosmetic and health-related. In the latter cases, patients may benefit from additional capsulectomy, which involves removing scarred or damaged tissue around the breasts as well. While most patients can enjoy their breast augmentation results for years, some may develop concerns that need to be addressed.

Options for Breast Implant Removal

Simple Removal: Indicated for patients who want implant removal for cosmetic concerns when surrounding tissues are healthy. Only the implant is removed, not any tissues.

En Bloc Breast Implant Removal: Indicated when patients have health concerns related to their implants. Removes both the implant and the surrounding scar tissue together. Protects against contaminating healthy breast tissue by keeping the capsule intact.

What Reasons Do Candidates Have for Breast Implant Removal?

Breast augmentation is a unique procedure that might not be for all patients. Anywhere from months to years after a procedure, patients may experience either physical symptoms or personal issues with their implants. In these cases, they may be a candidate for removing their implants and improving their situation, health, and quality of life. Some key reasons for removal include:

Breast Implant Illness: This syndrome occurs when patients experience symptoms that they perceive as correlating to their implants. Patients may experience a range of symptoms, such as chronic pain, chills, depression or anxiety, headaches, raches, and fatigue.
Capsular Contracture: This occurs when scar tissue around the implant hardens more than usual, forming a capsule and leading to discomfort or breast shape changes.
Physical Discomfort: The added weight and volume to augmented breasts can cause physical discomfort from bra straps, a sense of heaviness to the chest, or strain on your back and shoulders.
Dissatisfaction: A patient’s results may not have turned out right, or their preferences may have changed with time.
Quality of Life Issues: Some patients find larger implants to interfere with various life factors, such as activity limitations or avoiding clothing or social engagements due to feeling self-conscious.
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL): This condition can occur due to an immune response in the patient’s body to the implants and may be more common for patients with textured implants.
Implant Rupture: Saline and silicone implants may leak if damaged or if weakened over time. Symptoms can range from mild (painless breast deflation) to more severe (inflammation).

Capsular Contracture

Although uncommon, capsular contracture accounts for most breast implant removal procedures. This condition happens when the body forms a tissue lining or “capsule” around the implant. As time goes on and symptoms increase, this capsule continues to contract and tighten. This causes deformity, discomfort, and potential pain. There are four levels of severity when it comes to capsular contracture:

Grade I: The breast still looks and feels natural, remaining shapely in appearance and soft in texture.
Grade II: The breast still appears normal but has begun to feel firmer.
Grade III: The firmness quotient is noticeably higher. The shape of the breast looks somewhat misshapen.
Grade IV: The breast has hardened. It appears deformed to a more extreme degree. It may also feel sore, painful, or tender at this level of contracture.

Other Implant and Augmentation Concerns & Complications

Uncommon complications that can happen as a result of breast augmentation include:

Ptosis (sagging)
Implant position changes
Breast Asymmetry
Calcification (calcium buildup)
Extrusion (implant becoming visible through the skin of the breast)
Necrosis (presence of dead tissue in the breast)
Seroma (fluid pooling)

Benefits

Having surgery to remove implants is not for everyone, but for the right candidate, it can provide vital benefits, such as: Reduced symptoms Improved health Restored comfort Balanced aesthetic Improved confidence

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Your Options Following An Implant Removal

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

A fat transfer can be an excellent alternative to traditional implants, as this process does not entail any external materials placed inside the body. Instead, Dr. Gabbay will take fat from other body areas. The fat is then purified and injected into the breasts to enhance volume, creating the beautiful fullness of implants without any foreign materials. Fat transfer to the breasts usually does not result in the same volume increase as implants can yield, but they often come close.

Breast Lift

Some patients may be happy with implants but want an aesthetic change. In these cases, a breast revision may be a good choice. Dr. Gabbay removes the current implants and inserts new ones to match your current goals.

Implant Replacement

Your Consultation

Before deciding which breast implant removal procedure is best for you, set up a consultation with Dr. Gabbay. He will answer all your questions and address your projected results. He will also check your medical history and current medications to ensure utmost safety. At this time, he will also discuss the estimated cost of your options.

Pre-operative Information

Preparing correctly for an operation is key for optimal results. Patients should stop smoking, for starters. But also avoid taking aspirin and other blood thinners well before surgery. Dr. Gabbay may also ask you to adjust or stop taking other prescription drugs as well. Our goal is to avoid all complications during the procedure and recovery process.

Patients should arrange for a family member or friend to pick them up from surgery. After surgery, patients cannot drive on their own. Dr. Gabbay will provide you with more detailed instructions during your initial consultation.

Breast Implant Removal Procedure

Dr. Gabbay performs the breast implant removal procedure on an outpatient basis. In most cases, he uses general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort. After creating the incision, Dr. Gabbay will remove the old implant and capsule. He will then revise the surrounding tissue as needed. The incision traces the old incision location from your previous breast augmentation surgery to scarring to a minimum. Dr. Gabbay will then proceed with one of three options:

Replace the explanted one with a new silicone or saline implant
Inject a purified fat graft to augment the breast without an implant
Perform a breast lift to boost and tighten the skin and reshape the breast
Patients with smaller breasts may not need a breast lift after removal.

Breast Implant Removal Recovery

Recovering from breast implant removal surgery is similar to standard augmentation surgery. Plan to have a friend or family member take you home after surgery, and be sure to spend a few days getting rest. Avoid physical activity for at least four weeks. Avoid alcohol and smoking during the entire healing period.

As with the initial implant surgery, results should be visible immediately. Once the swelling and bruising heal, your final results will become more noticeable. You may take pain medication prescribed by Dr. Gabbay to control any discomfort. Implant replacements should last about ten years. For fat transfer, results will shift somewhat over the following weeks as the fat cells adapt to their new environment. For breast lift patients, results are permanent but still subject to the effects of aging.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does breast implant removal cost in Los Angeles?

The national average for breast implant removal surgery cost is about $3,000. However, this can vary, and the final price involves factors such as: the quality of the surgeon, the extent of the procedure, additional procedures, the type of anesthesia, and more. Dr. Gabbay and his team provide patients with accurate estimates during their complementary consultation, so there are no surprises.

Will I need a breast lift after removing implants?

This mostly depends on the patient’s breast size before implant removal. Removing larger implants can lead to a significant loss in breast volume and a droopy position of the breasts. A breast lift is often the best solution for these cases.

Book Your Complementary Visit

Call Gabbay Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills today at (310) 388-9383 to learn more about your options for breast implant removal, or contact us to book your consultation.