What to Expect with Breast Implant Removal

Women have lots of reasons for wanting to have breast augmentation and they have lots of reasons for having their implants removed, too. More than 200,000 women have their implants removed every year in the United States, and about a third of that number don’t have them replaced.

At Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery, Rishi Jindal, MD, and his team perform breast implant removal using the most advanced techniques, with a deep understanding of each woman’s goals and experiences. Learn why implant removal is performed and what to expect during and after your procedure.

Reasons for implant removal

Many women decide to remove their implants as they get older and their ideal body image changes with time. Some women find their implants are simply too large or too heavy, or they may be causing back or shoulder pain. In these instances, implants may be replaced with smaller implants or you may decide not to replace them at all.

Removal is recommended if an implant leaks or ruptures. Rarely, the tissue surrounding your implants may become infected, making it necessary to remove the implants. 

Finally, some women decide to have their implants removed because of capsular contracture, a condition that happens when hard scar tissue forms around the implant. While some scar tissue accumulation is normal, too much scar tissue can compress the implants causing pain, and sometimes changing how the implants look under your skin.

The reasons for breast implant removal are as personal as the reasons for getting implants in the first place. Regardless of your reason, Dr. Jindal can help you achieve your goals with a patient-centered approach tailored to your needs.

Implant removal: What to expect

Implant removal is performed under general anesthesia, so you sleep through the whole procedure. During your removal surgery, Dr. Jindal makes an incision in the crease below your breast (the inframammary fold) to allow him good visualization of the breast pocket.

Using special instruments, he removes the implant along with any scar tissue that may be present. Afterward, the incisions are closed, and in some cases, Dr. Jindal inserts a drain in one or both breasts. Drains use a thin tube to drain away blood and excess fluid, promoting better healing.

Dr. Jindal places a  surgical dressing over your breasts, accompanied by a compression bandage or surgical support bra to reduce swelling. You are provided with detailed instructions on how to care for the area during recovery, which typically takes a few weeks. 

Once the implants are removed, you may notice a change in the shape of your breasts. Dr. Jindal can discuss body contouring options that can help provide support and definition for your breasts without the need for implants.

Learn more about breast implant removal

Regardless of the reason for implant removal, Dr. Jindal and his team can help. To learn more about the implant removal procedure, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Jindal and the team at Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery in San Diego, California, today.