Breast Implant Removal

Breast implant removal, or explant surgery, is a common procedure often required to resolve cosmetic issues or replace aged implants. Some women simply want to restore the natural appearance of their breasts with this procedure. With minimally invasive techniques, removing implants is relatively simple when compared to the initial augmentation surgery. Surgeons can also correct drooping and issues with lax skin upon removing the implants, ensuring that their patients attain more flattering, perky breasts as a result.

If you feel that your breast implants simply do not match your desires anymore or have any complaints about the aesthetics of your breasts, book an appointment at Palisade Plastic Surgery in Fort Lee- near New York City. Our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Paul H. Rosenberg and Dr. Abraham Pathak will listen intently to your concerns and create a personalized surgical plan that meets your ideal vision for your body goals.

Get in touch with our staff today by calling (201) 585-2388 or submitting your inquiry through our contact form. We look forward to helping you attain the body confidence you desire. 

Reasons for Breast Implant Removal

The breast implants of today are resilient against the forces of gravity and adapt well to the breast tissue, but surgeons do not consider them to be lifetime devices. Many surgeons estimate that, at most, implants can last about 20 years, but others argue that patients should undergo a breast implant removal procedure much sooner. ⁽¹⁾ One study found that of a sample of 500 women who had undergone breast augmentation, almost half of them required implant removal near the 10-year mark. ⁽²⁾ Though complications are rare, many women have concerns about when they should consider explant surgery.

Aesthetic Issues

An explant surgery can correct skin wrinkling, breast asymmetries, and sagginess from the weight of implants. This is a common problem since only the Cooper ligaments offer any true support for the shape and elevation of the breasts. Their composition is mostly fat and fibrous and glandular tissue, so they will naturally descend over time.

Capsular Contracture

Although capsular contracture does not usually result in any serious health concerns, it can cause pain and distortion in the breast if it becomes too severe. It develops due to tighter scar tissue that forms around the implants. Capsular contracture may be the root cause of aesthetic issues, or it may be indicative of something more serious. Surgeons must rule out more urgent issues, like implant rupture, before creating a surgical plan. Surgeons typically diagnose capsular contracture with a physical examination and/or MRI scan.

Dynamic Distortion

Dynamic distortion is a term used to describe how an implant may become displaced or shift within the breast pocket, causing temporary distortion with certain movements. Many women find that exercising can be uncomfortable with this problem.

Maintenance Replacement

Replacing implants at the recommended time nearly eliminates the risk of more serious, rare issues like implant rupture. Saline implant ruptures are less serious since the body can safely absorb its contents, but explant surgery is still required. With silicone implant ruptures, it can be more risky since the silicone remains within the breast. Even if women with implants are satisfied with their appearance long after their first surgery, replacing them with an updated pair will prevent leakage from occurring.

What is Breast Implant Illness?

Breast implant illness is an as yet poorly understood condition. Another name for it is autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA), which can be caused by implants and other internal medical devices. Though it is not an officially recognized condition, many researchers agree that breast implant illness (BII) is an overactive immune reaction to the implants themselves, resulting in sometimes debilitating symptoms that take hold throughout the body. Other experts believe that these symptoms are unrelated to the implants and would have occurred anyway- with or without the presence of implants. Some of the most commonly reported ones include:

Previous research suggested that these inflammatory reactions were the result of “biofilm” on the surface of the implants, a layer of bacteria, but this has been disproven. Others argue that the condition is strictly psychosomatic, meaning that symptoms are possibly stress-induced. Regardless of the origin of BII, over 96% of women with these autoimmune-like symptoms find lasting relief with a total capsulectomy. ⁽⁵⁾ With this type of breast implant removal procedure, surgeons remove both the implant and the entire implant capsule which secures it within the breast. Luckily, BII is extremely rare when compared to the risk of other, more minor complications that come with breast implants.

How Do Doctors Diagnose BII?

There are not any tests to diagnose BII since the consensus as to the exact cause remains unknown. Healthcare providers typically assess symptoms and consider patients’ medical history. They may rule out other conditions that could be causing pain, such as arthritis. They will conduct tests to ensure there is no viral or bacterial infection causing these issues. BII can cause a range of autoimmune symptoms, so providers typically evaluate immune system health.

Consultation

During your consultation at Palisade Plastic Surgery, Dr. Rosenberg or Dr. Pathak will ask you about your aesthetic goals with explant surgery and any complaints about your current breast implants. If you have any problems related to BII, they will take your symptoms seriously and formulate a customized plan to help you feel like yourself again. This first appointment will give you a chance to ask questions about their recommendations and get more detailed information on how to best prepare for your procedure. If you decide to move forward with breast implant removal, they will be happy to help you schedule your next appointment.

To take the first step today, call our Fort Lee office at (201) 585-2388 or fill out our online form, and a member of our staff will contact you shortly. 

Breast Implant Removal Procedure

Your anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia, keeping you entirely comfortable and asleep for the duration of your 2 to 3-hour procedure. If you do not have any serious issues related to BII or an implant rupture, your surgeon will remove your implants with a periareolar (around the areola) or inframammary (within the lower breast crease) incision technique. If you have visible scars from the breast augmentation surgery, he will make incisions that follow this discoloration to avoid making new scars. No matter the size or shape of your implants, he will ensure that scarring is discreet; for example, periareolar scars blend well with the dark skin of the areola, while inframammary incisions are not noticeable due to the breast mound. If you have saline implants, your surgeon will make a pinpoint incision to drain the implants of their contents and make a small incision to remove the shells from the breast tissue. Doing so will also minimize internal scarring.

Total Capsulectomy for Breast Implant Illness

A capsulectomy refers to any implant removal procedure in which the surgeon needs to remove some or all scar tissue around each implant. Still, there is a distinction between varying types: a total capsulectomy is a surgery that includes the removal of all scar tissue present, whereas an “en bloc” capsulectomy involves the removal of both the implant and scar tissue as one unit. The “en bloc” technique is necessary for those with BII to prevent triggering future immune reactions. Just like with other implant removal techniques, your surgeon will aim to make incisions along the scars of the initial augmentation.

Recovery and Results

The downtime and recovery required after your procedure will depend on the techniques your surgeon uses. They will provide you with post-operative instructions to promote a safe and comfortable experience as you heal at home. For the first weeks after, you will have some bruising and swelling, so you will need to postpone strenuous activities until these completely resolve. You should engage in light activities to promote quality circulation throughout your body. Your surgeon will give you medications to mitigate discomfort, though you may find that you will benefit most from simple OTC remedies after the first few days. You should check with your surgeon to ensure that you avoid taking anything with blood-thinning properties. In general, the recovery process will be easier than the initial breast augmentation procedure. You will get to enjoy your final results- without any residual swelling- within 4 to 6 months, especially if you undergo an additional procedure with autologous fat transfer or a breast lift. The same principle applies if your surgeon inserts new replacement implants after your explant surgery.

Cost of a Breast Implant Removal in New York City

The cost of your breast implant removal will depend on anesthesia fees, the extent of your surgery, additional techniques (like fat grafting or a breast lift), and the cost of replacement implants, if applicable. Dr. Rosenberg or Dr. Pathak will give you a detailed quote during your consultation to help you make an informed decision. If interested, please inquire about our financing options with PatientFi and CareCredit. However, if you have a history of BII symptoms or other complications with your breast implants, your insurance may provide coverage for your surgery.

To learn more about your options at our practice, call us at (201) 585-2388 or use our online form to let us know more about your situation. We serve the residents of Fort Lee and the surrounding areas of New York City and New Jersey. 

References

1. Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482206/#:~:text=The%20risk%20of%20complications%20is 
2. Zhang, Z., Qi, J., Zhang, X. et al. What Can We Learn from Breast Implant Explantation: a 28-Year, Multicenter Retrospective Study of 1004 Explantation Cases. Aesth Plast Surg (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03365-4  
3. Bresnick SD. Self-Reported Breast Implant Illness: The Contribution of Systemic Illnesses and Other Factors to Patient Symptoms. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2023;5. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojad030 
4. Atiyeh B, Emsieh S. Breast Implant Illness (BII): Real Syndrome or a Social Media Phenomenon? A Narrative Review of the Literature. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Published online July 6, 2021. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-021-02428-8 
5. Katsnelson JY, Spaniol JR, Buinewicz JC, Ramsey FV, Buinewicz BR. Outcomes of Implant Removal and Capsulectomy for Breast Implant Illness in 248 Patients. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2021;9(9):e3813. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003813