Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
Complications, life changes, and other personal reasons can lead previous breast augmentation patients to seek implant revision or removal.

• deflation or rupture
  
• shifting or rotating out of position
  
• implant wrinkling or rippling
  
• sagging
  
• asymmetry
  

• bleeding
  
• infection
  
• diagnosis of breast cancer
  
• the formation of scar tissue that tightens around the implant (capsular contracture)
  
• necrosis, or the formation of dead tissue around the implant, which may prevent wound healing
  
• calcium deposits

Recommendation for Breast Implant Removal

Cosmetic surgeons know that not every breast augmentation works out perfectly for every patient. There are some risks involved in breast implant surgery and some patients do experience complications.

However, a good surgeon will always stand by their work and do everything to resolve any issues you have, even if the solution requires additional procedures. Any post-operative complications can be scary and frustrating; the good news is that most breast implant complications can be effectively resolved without removing the implants permanently.  In fact, removing the implants permanently is rarely the best solution.

Enlargement breast surgery actually changes the state of the natural breast tissue.   If implants are simply removed, breasts can often be unrecognizable.  Significant invasive cosmetic lifting and re-sculpting of the remaining breast tissue (if it exists) could be necessary to achieve a aesthetically desirable result.  Before deciding to remove implants, a patient should talk to her surgeon to all the alternatives for a more satisfying result.  Complications can often require revisionary procedures, but the results will generally be far better with new implants than without any implants at all.

Procedure
Breast implant removal is done under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia combined with IV sedation. The procedure usually takes 30 minutes to an hour and takes place in a Day Surgery Center. Operating through an incision in the inframammary fold (crease under the breast) or the peri-areolar incision (through the  nipple), surgeons carefully remove the implants. If the implant is made of saline, doctors may choose to deflate it first to facilitate removal. Breast implant removal usually costs between $1,000 and $4,000.

Recovery
Initial recovery from breast implant removal surgery is usually quick, with many patients returning to everyday activity within a few days and full activity within two to three weeks. Full recovery often takes a few months. For the first few days after breast implant removal, there may be mild discomfort, swelling and bruising. Some uncommon, but possible, complications include: loss of nipple sensation, scarring, bleeding, seroma or fluid collection and loose skin.

Removal of Large Breast Implants
Occasionally, women who opt for removal of large breast implants, especially those that are inserted subglandularly (on top of the muscle and under the breast tissues) are left with major cosmetic deformity in their breasts if they opt to not replace the breast implants or have further cosmetic surgery. Breasts may also be smaller than they were before the implants because of hormone changes or weight loss. Sagging may also become more apparent after breast implant removal.

Emotional Effects
Some women suffer from psychological distress after breast implant removal. The change in the body's shape affects some women as profoundly as a mastectomy affects others. It is normal to feel some sadness after witnessing such a drastic body transformation. If psychological symptoms do not subside within a reasonable amount of time after breast implant removal, it is wise to seek treatment from a professional. At Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic we refer many of our patients to a specialist psychiatrist who is able to provide counselling, life coaching and treatment for many of life’s challenges.