Breast Implant Removal Q&A
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Breast Implant Removal Recovery
asked 3 years ago by BeckyRN
Latest answer by York Jay Yates, MD
Question viewed 9,628 times
Tags: recovery
Recovery? Pain? I was told by my surgeon that he could remove them under straight local. They are not ruptured. Is this true? I'm 30 years old. I had silicone 400cc breast implants placed 3 years ago. I was a fuller A cup and went up to a DD (against my wishes, I wanted a C) I'm a very active person and have hated them ever since. I do not wish to have them replaced in fear of future surgery, problems, etc. It was an unfortunate circumstance that I just want erased from my history.
19 answers to Breast Implant Removal Recovery
+5
Implant Removal under Local
Yes, if all that is being done is removal of the implant, and you are willing to put up with a little pain while the local is injected, and complete awareness of everything that is happening, then it can be done under local anesthesia only. Alternatively a little bit of conscious sedation along with the local could be a more pleasant way to have this done, but might incur some additional expense and require that someone give you a ride home. Recovery is generally pretty easy, but an...
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Braden Stridde, MD
Federal Way Plastic Surgeon
Federal Way Plastic Surgeon
+4
BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL RECOVERY IS DEPENDENT UPON THE EXTENT OF SURGERY REQUIRED
Silicone implants that are not ruptured may be easily removed under local anesthesia.
The recovery does not compare at all to the initial augmentation surgery (if the capsule is left behind). The surgery is less invasive (again if the capsule is left behind)
The pain is related to the extent of the surgery carried out:
minimal pain if the capsule is left behind.
Note that if the capsule is contracted, deformed and very adherent to the surrounding tissues or if the...
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Carlos Cordoba, MD
Montreal Plastic Surgeon
Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+2
Implant Removal Can Be Done With Local Anesthesia
Yes, you can remove implants with just local anesthesia, and return to work immediately.
Expert opinion does vary on the need for removing the capsule (capsulectomy) at the time of implant removal (explantation). Capsulectomy s done to make sure the space created for the implant will seal closed after removal. If it does not, fluid (serum) can accumulate in the space, creating breast fullness, asymmetry, and even the feeling of fluid moving in the pocket.
Capsulectomy would...
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+2
Explantation under Local Anesthesia
It is technically possible to remove silicone gel implants under local anesthesia, however given your buyer's remorse at having them, you should anticipate some issues, some of which include: a) hanging "tough" during the procedure, as you will be an alert participant in your surgery; b) making the transition, while your breast skin "shrinks" to its new volume and shape. Remember although the DD size is not compatible with your active lifestyle, you have spent 3 years at...
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Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1
Implant removal with local anesthesia
Breast implant removal under local anesthesia is a very simple procedure for the surgeon and the patient. Virtually painless during and after.
Having had 400 cc implants for 3 years there will be stretch of the overlying tissue. You may consider asking your plastic surgeon if you are a candidate for internally supporting and lifting the breast. This involves suturing the implant pocket closed while lifting the nipple and breast. This can be easily done with local...
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+1
Breast Implant Removal Recovery?
Thank you for the question. Breast implant removal recovery surgery is usually almost painless. The procedure can be done under local or general anesthesia depending on the circumstances of the specific patient.
What your breasts will look like after explantation depends on several factors such as: the quality of skin elasticity (the better the elasticity the better the skin will bounce back), the size of the implants used (the larger the implant the more trouble...
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+1
Breast Implant Removal
If you are uncomfortable with your implant size you should seek a second opinion prior to undergoing additional surgery.
Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1
Recovery after implant removal.
There is no real pain and recovery should take less than a week. I would suggest that you go see a plastic surgeon other than the one that performed your original surgery. I would try a smaller implant and the cost should be no more than the cost of the implant itself. The surgery has already been done and a new smaller implant can be placed without further surgery. Find someone you can trust but I would advise strongly that you not return to the original surgeon..
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+1
Recovery after implant removal
The recovery after implants removal is usually fairly easy. Ther is often not alot of pain but you do have to take it easy until it heals.
+1
Breast implant removal under local anesthesia
Breast implants can certainly be removed(explantation) under local anesthesia. In regards to the capsule, there is some controversy among surgeons if this should be removed and this is difficult to perform under local. In most instances return to their desk jobs within 1-2 days. However it may be more like 6 weeks before unrestricted activity is permitted
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Implant removal under local anesthesia
If your breasts are soft and there is no excess scar tissue, removal under local will likely be okay. If you have some degree of capsular contracture (thick scar tissue around the implant), I would recommend removal of some or all of that scar tissue at the time of implant removal. This could not be done comfortably (for the surgeon or the patient) under a local anesthesia. The problem with leaving a thick capsule behind is that it may wad up into a hard knot or it may...
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+1
Pain after Breast Implant Removal
While the implant removal can be done under local anesthesia, I prefer monitored care with local anesthesia and IV sedation, or a light general anesthesia as this allows for a less stressful experience for you and for the surgeon should problems occur during the procedure.
The pain after breast implant removal is usually minimal, particularly in nothing else is done.
You have fairly large implants, and therefore sagging breasts can be expected. You will likely need a...
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+1
Removal of breast implants explantation
Recovery after explantation is quick provided that the capsule is not removed from the breast. I would perform a sterile surgical removal of the implant under local anesthesia only in Baker I capsular contracture patients.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast implant removal easy
Removal of your implants is easily done through the same incision in which they were placed. Pain should be minimal. Whether or not your breasts sag afterward depends on several things. These are best discussed with your surgeon.
Randy Proffitt, MD
Mobile Plastic Surgeon
Mobile Plastic Surgeon
+1
Implant explant
Becky,
I'm sorry about your implant experience. Implants can occasionally be removed under local anesthesia. I prefer to use pain medication in addition to local. Recovery varies, but, in general, it should be easier to tolerate than your previous implant procedure. It should be possible to have the explant performed on a Friday and return to work on a Monday.
Good luck!
Jason R. Hess, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast augmentation reversal is easy with local anesthesia alone.
It will take about 10 minutes to remove your old implants under local anesthesia. It's too bad you paid for something you really didn't want. Most patients love breast augmentation. In spite of the money wasted, the procedure can be reversed easily. Most of the time the breasts look very much like they did before augmentation so mastopexy is usually not necessary.
+1
Aesthetic result after breast implants are removed
The breast implants that had been placed have stretched out the tissue around them. When the implant is removed you will notice some sagging of the breast. If this displeases you, you may choose to have another implant put in its place or to receive a small breast lift.
This procedure with local anesthesia alone will not be pleasant. Please consider your safety and comfort and ask to at least receive sedation for this surgery.
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast Implant Removal
Dear Becky,
Yes. Some women can tolerate removal of breast implants under local anesthesia's.
No. Much as you may want to, this "unfortunate circumstance" cannot simply be just "erased" from your memory.
You must be aware of several considerations.
Removing breast implants is quite different from clicking either the BACK or UNDO arrows on your PC monitor . You cannot get back the breasts you had before the surgery. Since breast implants cause expansion of the breast...
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+1
There will be changes from the implants
It is possible to remove breast implants under local anesthesia but it takes understanding on your part. You need to think about what your breast shape will be after removal as well. Chances are they will not look like they did before the augmentation because of tissue stretching. I'm not trying to talk you out of removing them but just to be aware. Also, will your plastic surgeon be placing drains? These are the kinds of questions that will be important to ask prior to your procedure. I...
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