Breast Implant Removal. What to Do? Doctor Answers, Tips
Breast Implant Removal: Q&A
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Breast Implant Removal. What to Do?

4 yrs ago I've had a breast augmentation . Used to be 34B with right breast OK but left was bigger and flatter. Silicone ( cohesive) on top of breast muscle . 325 cc . Then I had a revision surgery on my right breast because of capsular contracture . It keeps coming back with more discomfort . I've decided to get them out ! Guess , I'll require a breast lift :((( Want less scaring! Better result! And, should I wait 6 mhs ?

11 Doctor Answers | Asked by Forgetme in Montreal
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Removing Implant Concerns

I'm a little unclear, did you have implants placed in both breasts or just one? Are you happy with your overall results and size and it's because you have encapsulated that you want to remove them? If that is the case, there are several options to treat capsular contracture such as changing planes (going under the muscle), using an acellular dermal matrix, etc. Consult with your surgeon to go over all of your concerns and learn about all of your options so you can make an... more
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Removing breast implants

Without an exam or at least a photo, its difficult to give you specific advice. You wont necessarily need a lift but its certainly a possibility. Because your implants were over the muscle, there is some additional risk of decreased blood flow to your nipple if you do have a lift. Please discuss this with your surgeon.
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Breast implant removal options

I would add some general principles to the reasonable responses and options here. Evidence is accumulating that capsule contracture is more common with implants above the pectoralis muscle and particularly with a periareolar incision. A revision could be done with an inframammary incision and subpectoral placement of a new implant (which would require the same for the other side and would be equivalent to a redo augmentation). Breasts are not actually lifted by implants... more

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Concerns about Breast Implant Removal?

Thank you for the question, but (as you can imagine) it is not possible to give you precise advice without direct examination or at least viewing pictures. Generally speaking what breasts 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 you may have with redundant skin), and the... more
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Breast Implant Removal

Although you can remove the implants, I would recommend a replaning procedure to under the muscle to help prevent future capsular contracture. I have seen very few patients who are happy after implant removal. If you are determined to get them out, you may want to consider fat grafting to the breast. Find a board certified plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of breast augmentations and revisions each year. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los... more
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Implant removal and a lift

Sometimes delaying the lift after implant removal is the best thing especially in small breasted patients.
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Wait after removal prior to having a breast lift.

I agree with Dr. Gottlieb. There are many options to treat recureent capsular contracture and I am not sure you have exhausted all of them. Often when implants are removed, and the patient was not drooping prior to the augmentation, the breasts will tighten up enought not to need a lift. That may be the good news in your case. I would definitely wait at least 6 months after removal prior to having a lift, just to see how the breasts will react and tighten... more
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Breast Implant Removal. What to Do?

Sorry to hear about the issues you have had. Although I concur with your decision to have these removed, hopefully your surgeon has gone through the options which include transferring the implants to the subpectoral position, and possibly using Strattice to minimize the chance of recurrence of contracture. I wouldn't want to guess about the lift without the benefit of photos. If there is any uncertainty about the need for one, just having the implants out and... more
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Removal of breast implants do not necessarily result in a condition that benefits from breast lift.

Depending on a number of variables removal of implants without replacement does not necessarily mean the shape of the breast will be unattractive. Usually this can be decided preoperatively.
+1

Capsular contracture after breast augmentation

Hello 'Sadkitten', thanks for your question. I'm sorry to hear you have had recurrent problems with capsular contracture after your breast augmentation surgery. Although noone knows for sure what causes capsular contracture, some theories are subacute infection leading to a biofilm entity around the breast implants, implant rupture, or fluid/ hematoma collection after surgery leading to prolonged inflammation and swelling of the breast pocket. Several risk factors have been... more
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Comments (2)

Forgetme 17 Feb 2013
Have a new image !
Forgetme 16 Feb 2013
Thanks for your answer! Can " fat grafting " be performed at the implant removal time OR I should wait few months prior that ?

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