Is it normal to have a 400cc implant completely removed and drains placed under local anesthesia?

Question

How bad will the drains hurt? Should I take off work longer than a week?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello ashlyn13 This is a simple procedure and requires localanesthesia, IV sedation, or (uncommonly) general anesthesia. You should visit or contact your plastic surgeon about this concern. #anesthesia #options

David Rankin, MD · Answer

If you are simply removing the implants and no capsule tissue, then it is very easy to do under local. If however you are having the capsule removed at the same time (which is standard of care in my practice), local would be painful for you to tolerate. Drains are usually used when the capsule is removed and not necessary when only the implants are removed. Good luck!

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Your pain should be well controlled.  I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Michael Zwicklbauer, MD · Answer

If it's possible to do a procedure under local , such as removing a smooth surfaced breast implant, then it's always better. Anesthesia has risks to it that we should never treat in a carefree manner.

Surjit S. Rai, MD · Answer

Yes implants can be removed under local (especially if it is a saline implant). If any of the scar tissue around the implant (capsule) needs to be removed it might be more comfortable for you to be completely asleep. Drains are sometimes placed to drain out the pocket left behind my the implant in addition to compression wraps. 
Drains are probably the most uncomfortable part of the procedure but sometimes necessary. Most patients are really anxious about the removal of them in the office but after it's done they usually say the anxiety was worse than actually taking them out. 
Taking off work really depends on what type of work you do. You can still work with drains in place but most surgeons will recommend no heavy lifting while you are recovering. I would say if you are doing a desk job where you answer phones and work on the computer you should be able to get back to that within a week. 
Hope this helps,

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm not sure what you mean by normal, but yes, it can be done, especially for saline implants. Some may choose to use drains to help the empty area close more quickly and minimize the risk of excess fluid filling the space. If you need the capsules removed, most surgeon would choose to do this with at least IV sedation.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

If you are having the implant and capsule removed, that is normally done with general anesthesia.  Drains usually are not that bothersome and are in for only a few days in most cases.  A week off of work should be adequate given you do not have an occupations which requires a lot of physical activity.

Kelly Killeen, MD, FACS · Answer

Implant removal can be done under local under some circumstances.  I usually don't leave drains unless I'm also removing the capsule.  That should not be done under local.  Drains are a nuisance, but tolerable.  If you are having a simple implant removal, a week off should be sufficient.  As always, I recommend seeing a surgeon who takes out implants frequently so that you get the best aesthetic result.  Make sure you ask your surgeon about muscle repair, internal lift, mastopexy, and fat grafting as options to maximize your breasts appearance as your implants are quite large.

Is it normal to have a 400cc implant completely removed and drains placed under local anesthesia?

Answers (8)

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