Breast Implant Removal Granite Bay

Our surgeons can safely remove your breast implants so you can move on with your life feeling and looking your absolute best.

For years, breast augmentation has comfortably reigned as one of the most popular cosmetic procedures with the highest patient satisfaction. But that doesn’t mean breast implants are for everyone—or that your feelings about your breast implants won’t change over time.

Our surgeons work with women all over the country to provide beautiful outcomes that help their patients feel confident in their appearance and comfortable in their day to day lives. This includes a growing number of women who are no longer satisfied with their breast implants or who have health concerns and want to have their implants removed.

Not only are our doctors experienced with the latest breast implant removal techniques, they are also known for their kind, empathetic bedside manner. Whatever your reasons for wanting your implants removed, they will listen to you and make sure the plan moving forward is safe and will leave you happy.

Why do women choose to have their breast implants removed?

Just as the motivations for having breast augmentation can vary greatly, so do the reasons for breast implant removal. There is a vast, diverse range of circumstances that may lead a patient to choose to have her breast implants removed. Ultimately, it is an incredibly personal decision that should be discussed with an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon who is empathetic to your motives.

Common reasons women opt for explantation surgery include:

  • Implant rupture. It’s important to remember that breast implants are not meant to be lifetime devices—and that they are more prone to complications the older they are. Though rare, one potential complication is rupture and leakage. With age, the wall of the breast implants can weaken and, in some cases, rupture. With saline breast implants, you will notice the rupture immediately; the implant will deflate and the saline solution will be safely absorbed by your body. With form-stable silicone, ruptures are typically diagnosed through MRI.
  • Complications like capsular contracture. Capsular contracture occurs when the natural capsule of scar tissue that forms around breast implants begins to constrict the implants. This condition can be uncomfortable and leads to an asymmetrical, unnatural appearance.
  • Changes in personal preference or lifestyle. Just like our sense of fashion or favorite band can shift with the years, so can our aesthetic preferences. As you get older, you may find that your breast implants no longer help you feel confident in your clothes but instead hinder you. Or perhaps your commitment to a healthy lifestyle means your implants no longer suit your body or interfere with your exercise. In these cases, a safe breast implant removal may be your best choice for once again feeling comfortable and confident.
  • Health concerns. In recent years, concerns about the safety of breast implants have been discussed and widely publicized. And while breast implants are still considered a very safe medical device, there are some rare conditions that are tied to breast implants. BIA-ALCL, an exceedingly rare form of breast implant-specific, non-lymphoma ALCL, has been linked to certain brands of textured breast implants. Breast implant illness, an unexplained variety of inflammatory symptoms patients believe are tied to their breast implants, is another condition that is leading women to have their implants removed. While there are currently no available diagnostic tests for breast implant illness, some women do report an improvement in symptoms once their breast implants have been taken out.

Regardless of your personal reasons for wanting your breast implants removed, your first step is to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in explantation techniques. Together, you can discuss your concerns and goals, rule out any potential health conditions, and design a removal plan that fits your needs.

How are breast implants removed?

During your consultation, your surgeons will explain which removal technique they recommend for your unique circumstances—though the plan may need to change once they are able to see the state of your capsule and implant.

Breast implant removal is performed under general anesthesia in our accredited surgery center. your surgeon will do their best to reopen your primary breast augmentation incisions to avoid additional scarring. This is typically most easily accomplished if your previous incisions were made in the inframammary fold (your natural breast crease).

Through this incision, your surgeon will be able to see and assess the implant capsule to ensure they move forward safely with the lowest risk of complication and the greatest chance of achieving an attractive outcome.

Depending on your circumstances, your doctor will either take the full capsule in addition to the implant, part of the capsule separate from removing the implant, or simply remove the implant and allow most if not all of the capsule to naturally deflate.

Once the implant and/or capsule is removed, your doctor will suture your incisions and you will be able to return home the same day after a brief period of time in a private recovery room.

What is an en bloc capsulectomy?

An en bloc capsulectomy describes a breast implant removal technique that involves removing the entire scar tissue capsule and the breast implant intact as one piece.

During an en bloc capsulectomy, your surgeon will need to very carefully detach the scar capsule from surrounding tissues and muscle while keeping it intact—all with a limited view. Sometimes, the formed scar tissue is too thin and fragile or is closely fused to the chest muscle, which can make attempted removal problematic or dangerous.

Because this procedure requires a larger scar and is a more lengthy, complex technique, an en bloc capsulectomy is typically recommended only when health concerns are present, such as with BIA-ALCL. Additionally, cases of implant rupture may require an en bloc capsulectomy, as opening the capsule may pose certain risks. However, when cancerous cells are not present, the implant and entire capsule can typically be removed with a complete or total capsulectomy.

It’s important to remember that a successful en bloc capsulectomy cannot be promised until your surgeon is able to see and assess the quality of the scar tissue capsule. In many cases, a total capsulectomy is the safest way to move forward while still removing the entirety of the capsule.

What’s the difference between en bloc capsulectomy vs total capsulectomy?

Both an en bloc capsulectomy and total capsulectomy produce the same result: the implant and its entire capsule are removed from the body. The difference lies in how they are removed. During a total capsulectomy, a small incision is made in the capsule through which the implant can be removed. The capsule is then clamped closed and removed.

Outside of rupture or a positive diagnosis of BIA-ALCL, a total capsulectomy is often the best option for fully removing all tissue that has come in contact with the breast implant without needing a large incision or complicating the procedure unnecessarily. Once the implant is removed from the capsule, the capsule will collapse enough to allow removal through a smaller incision. This is the technique our doctors use most often for patients who have symptoms of breast implant illness.

What is breast implant removal recovery like?

Many of our patients are surprised to find that breast implant removal recovery is quicker and more comfortable than their primary breast augmentation. Patients are typically able to return to non-strenuous work and most regular activities within 3 – 5 days.

You may be sent home with drains to ensure fluid does not accumulate and to help ensure your comfort and speedy healing. You’ll want to take it easy for a few days as your body heals; your surgeon may prescribe you pain medication to alleviate any discomfort, though most patients switch to an over-the-counter pain reliever after a day or two.

It’s normal to feel some tenderness around the incisions, along with some slight bruising and swelling. Discomfort or tightness of the breast is also normal, though it is typically easy to tolerate.

Will I be happy with my breasts after breast implant removal?

By and large, most of our patients are happy with their breasts after breast implant removal. Unless you had very large implants or your skin laxity has waned, your breasts should look quite similar to how they appeared before your breast augmentation.

In some cases, patients who have experienced some sagging with time or whose natural breasts were considerably smaller than their implants may opt to have a secondary breast lift procedure once they have healed. our surgeons have found that most patients do not require further shaping to have an attractive result.

Schedule your consultation today

If you’d like to know more about your breast implant removal options or would like to speak with one of our surgeons about moving forward with surgery, we encourage you to contact us to schedule your consultation.