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How Long After Breast Augmentation Can I Go for Explantation?

asked 1 year ago by boobies128 in NYC
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 5,363 times
Tags: age 25-34, 110-129 lbs, 4 ft 11 in and under, 300-349cc, A cup, Asian, gummy bear implants

I am 26 y/o asian female, 4'10 3/4'', 115lbs. I recently had breast augmentation done on 12/9/2010. The surgeon did a great job and they look amazing even though they have not settle down. I am post op day #4. I have been having upper back pain I assume that my body is not use to it from 34A to 34C (325cc bilaterally gummy bear). I feel them and they are pretty firm right now and high. Strangely every time I touch one particular part of my R breast I feel a sharp pain under my R scapula (Shoulder blade). I can not reproduce the same symptom on the left side. My friends think that I am having a buyer's remorse but I really don't feel comfortable with them at all. When I am laying in bed I feel like someone is sitting on my chest and its hard to breathe. my concern is how long do I need to recover before removing them?

20 answers to How Long After Breast Augmentation Can I Go for Explantation?

After a breast augmentation, give yourself 6 to 12 months to recover!

A breast augmentation is an incredible procedure and is usually a wonderful experience for most women. Congratulations! However, like any body-modifying surgery and major operation, it takes TIME for the body to recover, to heal, all swelling to go away, and for your body image to adjust. During the period immediately following surgery, I counsel my patients (and their families or caregivers that will be helping them after surgery) that they may undergo... more

Karen M. Horton, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Implant removal breast tenderness firmness

If you are truly unhappy, then removal is always an option. While there is no particular time for removal of an implant,from what you are describing,it seems too early to consider removal as your only days after surgery. Generally, each of the issues you have raised will improve over time. At the very least you should discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

When can breast implants be removed after surgery...

I would wait at least three months after breast augmentation until you evaluate whether or not to take them out. It is completely normal to have different pains both in the back and chest after surgery, and they can be more on one side than another. It is also normal to be nervous about your results. As time goes by, the implants will settle and the pains will diminish and most likely you will be happy. Just give it some time. After three months, you... more

Shain A. Cuber, MD
Marlboro Plastic Surgeon

www.AssociatesinPlasticSurgery.com

Removing implants

There is no set time to have implants removed. You can have them removed al most anytime. But, in most cases, patients have what you describe as "buyers remorse" because of the discomfort and usually this gets better with time.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Recover First, Don't be Hasty

You owe it to yourself to give yourself a bit more time to heal. It is normal for many people to question the wisdom of their decision during this early, still stressful time after surgery. Give your body time to heal and your head time to clear. You'll probably be feeling much better within just a few days.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Removal Timing?

Thank you for the question. I will suggest that you wait at least 3 months before making any decisions. Communicate your concerns clearly with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Removing breast implants

It's only been about 4 months since your surgery, so I would wait about 2-3 more months to let all of the swelling resolve before removing your implants. Then, you'll probably be okay removing them if you're still not happy.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

When to remove breast implants?

While you can have the implants removed anytime, you have little to lose by waiting. What you are describing is not unusual after surgery. Give it a few months and things will improve. Be sure to discuss with your plastic surgeon.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant removal

It sounds more as if you should join a support group. Your feelings of pressure, chest tightess and pressure on you chest are quite normal in those recently comnpleting the procedure. YOu don't have to wait, you can remove the implants now if you prefer but in all likelihood your symptoms will subside. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Too soon to remove breast implants

Even though breast implants can be removed at any time after surgery, you are still in the early healing phases. The symptoms you are describing are not uncommon for breast augmentation, especially when they are placed under the muscle and especially in very petite patients such as yourself. My advice is to give your body more time to recover before undergoing another surgery to remove the implants. I would not recommend removing them until you are at least 3 months out from surgery.... more

Babak Dadvand, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

How Long After Breast Augmentation Can I Go for Explantation?

Regarding: "How Long After Breast Augmentation Can I Go for Explantation? I am 26 y/o asian female, 4'10 3/4'', 115lbs. I recently had breast augmentation done on 12/9/2010. The surgeon did a great job and they look amazing even though they have not settle down. I am post op day #4. I have been having upper back pain I assume that my body is not use to it from 34A to 34C (325cc bilaterally gummy bear). I feel them and they are pretty firm right now and high.... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Implant removal after breast augmentation

It is not rare to have some reservations and concerns right after any plastic surgery procedure when the final result has yet to be realized...or what I call still in the liabilityin the phase of procedure. This is almost unheard of in breast augmentation, however, because even in the liability or recovery phase the results (larger breasts) are immediately apparent. They might not be perfect but the general goal of a bigger breast size is already present. Your immediate concerns about ha more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Give it some time

It is normal to be in pain after surgery and it is normal to feel that pressure in strange places. Each side of your body is different. Follow you surgeon’s directions for post operative care and consider that removing the implants will be another painful surgery and recovery. If you don’t want breast implants you should have them removed. However, if you want larger breasts, give your body a chance to heal so that you can make a decision based on how they make you look and... more

Amy K. Alderman, M.D., M.P.H.
Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon

You could have your breast implants taken out today, but.....

You could have your breast implants removed today if you wanted to, BUT post-operative pains are very common and I would highly recommend you wait several months to let everything settle and see your final results before you consider removal. Given how small you are, it is possible that the weight of the implants could create some issues with your upper and lower back in the future, but it is much to early to tell.

Jack Peterson, MD
Topeka Plastic Surgeon

Implant Explantation

I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable with your implants. It is too early to judge whether implants are for you. It is normal to have aches, pains, stabbing, and pressure in the immediate period following augmentation. Many nerves are bruised, injured, or even severed during this procedure. When you begin implant displacement exercises, if you have not already, it may even make your symptoms worse. But, over the course of several weeks, they will feel more and... more

Jason R. Hess, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Buyer's remorse after breast augmentation

I agree with your friends. Only 4 days after surgery, you should expect to have some odd aches and pains and even some back pain. Give yourself time to heal, and give your implants time to settle. If you still dislike your results in 6 months, then you've given it a fair shot. If you are certain that implant removal is the only thing that will make you feel better (emotionally), then you can have them removed anytime.

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Please wait!

Its only 4 days and they look great. They need to settle and all your symptoms are normal for 4 days out. I assume you did not have a pain pump which would have drcreased all your symptoms. Let them settle and massage gently up and allow to settle down. They will look and feel great in a couple of weeks. If you still want them out, it can be done at any time.

Luis A. Vinas, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Removing breast implants

It is way too early to give up on them as long as you like the look. It takes 3-4 months for your body to accomodate to the impants and for the tissues to relax and allow the result to settle in. Presumably you thought long and hard about going through the surgery so do the same here. Try to wait...but if you can't, there is no time technically too early to remove them.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

As early as you like

If you only had the augmentation 4 days ago I would suggest you wait a few weeks before having them removed as most of your symptoms will go away. If you prefer they can be removed right away.