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How Soon After Breast Augmentation Can I Have my Implants Removed?

asked 3 years ago by wantthemout in martinsburg wv
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 5,625 times
Tags: timing

I just had breast augmentation and cresent lift a week ago (1/22/09) and I hate the results. I was a 38B and received 40CC cohesive gel. I am having severe anxiety and depression and I want them out. I feel like im about to have a nervous break down. Can I have my implants removed this soon by using sedation? They look nice, but I want them out.

21 answers to How Soon After Breast Augmentation Can I Have my Implants Removed?

Implants Removed

I am sorry about your distress. Based on your note, you like the look. You have not mentioned the reasons for your unhappiness with the implants. While you have the option to remove the implants at any time, you should determine if removal is the best course for you. You are in the early stages of healing. It is normal to wonder whether you made the right decision to have surgery, but don't make any rash decisions to remove the implants. You must had extensive thought and... more

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Counselling/Anxiety treatment May Help

Seriously, that may sound strange but as you have seen from all the responses on the message board it is way to early to judge how you are going to like the surgical results. Your reaction is not unusual and we all have had patients who panic after surgery expressing exactly your emotions. In almost all cases even the most distraught patients come to appreciate and like the results. If you can seek some emotional support, even anxiety/depression therapy in the short run to get through... more

Robert Herbstman, MD
Red Bank Plastic Surgeon

Implants can be removed anytime after surgery

Implants can be removed anytime after surgery, as long as there are no other risk factors. The procedure can also be performed under IV sedation in an accredited facility. The decision to remove implants so soon should be tempered with the fact there are usually some strong emotional issues and possibly chemical changes right after surgery. I would reccommend waiting at least a month and preferably three if you can. It's surprising how many people in your situation end up liking them. more

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

Second thoughts after breast augmentation

Many patients go through second thoughts after breast surgery... they are too big... they are too small... I want them out. If you can weather the storm, chances are that you will enjoy them for many years and forget about this tough period. Remember that you wanted them enough to have surgery. That need will still be there if you remove the implants, and you may have great regrets about removing them.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Timing of breast implant removal

Breast implants can be removed at any time following placement but generally should be deferred for at least 3 months. Prior to this you really have to question the motivations for placement. Expect fees to be charged for this.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Removing breast implants is easy, fast, and can be done with local anesthesia.

First of all, do not remove your implants now. You need to give yourself the time to get psychologically adjusted to them. You need to discuss your feelings with your surgeon and , by all means, don't make a rash mistake. If, in the end, you want them removed, it is very simple and safe.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Wait 6 months after breast augmentation before considering implant removal.

Hi. I am sure you have already taken action. But in general it is best to wait 6 months, whether you have a bad result after breast augmentation, or whether you have just changed your mind. The breasts can change, and your own mind might change again as you get used to your new breasts.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Implant removal

While it is possible to have your implants removed ASAP, I would suggest probably giving it some time. It is very common for patients after surgery to second guess their decision to have the surgery done. If you are definitely bothered by it, you may want to speak to someone or even your doctor to discuss your concerns.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Wait awhile before getting your implants removed

Waiting for a little while is your best option. Some counseling to go along with your post- operative care sounds like it would be in order. Technically you can have your implants out at any time. Perhaps this is simply the wrong implant for your. Possibly changing from cohesive gel and/or changing the size of the implant may make you more comfortable. Either of those choices should not be a rash decision, as your decision to remove them should not be as well.

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Be patient and wait several months

Although there is no specific time a patient must wait following breast augmentation to have their implants removed, I recommend waiting several months to evaluate your final results. It can take several weeks to months to determine your final result while your swelling resolves and your implants assume their final position. During this time, patients can experience anxiety and develop feelings of doubt as to whether they should have under gone breast augmentation surgery. Most of these... more

David A. Robinson, MD
Munster Plastic Surgeon

Try to get some good support around you before deciding to remove your breast implants

It is not uncommon for a patient to ask themselves why they underwent cosmetic surgery during the first 2 weeks of recovery. This is a very fragile and emotional time, and you need to tap into whatever family or friend support group you have to help you through. Presumably, you thought for a long time about doing this, so there must have been a good reason for wanting it. You say they look nice so it would seem that you had good surgery. It isn't clear from what you wrote why you... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Implant removal timing

You can certainly remove implants at any time after they are placed. I would, however, suggest that you don't base your decision to remove the implants on your very early post-operative appearance as there will be changes that may change your opinion.

Scott E. Newman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant removal right after placement

As others have posted, you probably have made your decision already. For those who made read your question, I would caution about making abrupt decisions so early in the healing phase. Presumably you had a long discussion with your surgeon about how and why you would have implants with your breast lift. This is a time to fall back on those discussions and to realize that the results immediately after surgery are not the final results. In fact, you may be quite happy in 3 months and be... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Don't make any rushed decisions after Breast Augmentation

Having breast implants or any surgery is a big decision. If you are having regrets after your surgery, please be patient and allow the tissues to settle and the swelling to resolve. It would be a mistake to rush back to surgery. My recommendation would be to wait at least 3 months after your surgery. You need to have a careful discussion with your surgeon to discuss all your options.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Talk to Your Surgeon

My advice is to be patient. Talk to your surgeon about your concerns and ask to see some progressive follow up photos and you will be amazed at the change that takes place with a little time. The appearance of breast implants changes dramatically in the first 4-6 weeks. If the implants were placed under the muscle they always look high for the first few weeks. Since your surgery was just recently done I think it would be unwise to try to do anything under a local anesthetic (the tissue... more

Arthur Foley, MD
Olympia Plastic Surgeon

Don't rush into something you may regret later.

Hopefully, you spent some time making your decision to have breast augmentation. Like many patients, you probably did. Thus, you were interested enough to have them done and to request a certain size. Don't rush into anything too hasty at this point. Anytime there is a change to one's body, it can take some time to absorb one's new look, whether it is new breasts or a new nose. Your body will accomodate to your new implants over the next two months or so depending on how tight your... more

Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Anytime, but I suggest you wait.

In your words, things "look nice" so I am assuming you do not "hate" them from a cosmetic standpoint. I almost get the feeling that you feel that the implants themselves are causing you to be anxious or nervous. You should understand that this is likely not the case. You are only one week postop and may be having some residual anxiety associated with anesthesia or pain medications. I strongly believe that if you wait this out you will be better off in the long run.... more

York Jay Yates, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

www.yorkyates.com

Yes, implants can be removed immediately

I am sorry to hear how unhappy you are with breast augmentation. It should be a comfort to you that the implants can be removed as soon as you wish, and often the implant can be removed with local, though sedation will make the procedure much more pleasant. I would suggest that you see your family physician right away to discuss your situation and your feelings, and your physician will help treat your anxiety. You may benefit from medication to help you through. Once your anxiety is under... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Talk to you surgeon over a few weeks

If they "look nice," I would invest some time with your surgeon to see why you are having the anxiety. Is it about the implant itself, what people might think, what a loved one might judge you for, fear about possible future complications, loss of identity, etc. ? There is often an adjustment period where the result will change because of the swelling, bruising, stretching, settling, etc. and because of the psychoemotional adaptation to a new sense of self. Some patients who have... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Time may be the answer to your breast implant regrets

It is not uncommon that some women feel like this after the surgery. It is a big change and you have to be prepared or prepare for it mentally. You can have them removed at any time. It is obviously a lot easier taking them out than putting them in for the first time. But what I would say is give yourself 4 months' time from the time of surgery. See how they are and how you feel about them at that point. If you still desire to have them out at that point, then go for it. Good... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Give yourself some time

Technically you can have them out at any time. I think that you should take your time before doing this. There is a reason for which you did this surgery. You should also ask your self if you just need them smaller. In any case give yourself 3 month to better evaluate what you want.