Is It Safe to Have Implants Removed While Awake?

Typically, breast implant #removal or #explant surgery is done with the patient under #anesthesia. However, many patients report the recovery and healing is much more easier than the original breast augmentation procedure.  Often local #anesthetic is also injected into the original scar which provides further comfort throughout the procedure and following. They also report little to no pain and the post-op recovery is about 2 hours before being released. It is also crucial that you work with a board certified plastic surgeon highly trained in #cosmetic breast surgery for your procedure and to discuss any concerns you have at length. 

Thank you for your question! Depending on your and your plastic surgeon's comfort level with surgical procedures via local anesthesia, it certainly is a safe procedure and can be done via local only or a little sedation. It is difficult to answer about the appearance of your breasts without a photo or examination. Removal of your implants alone will create a smaller breast with somewhat similar shape. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon and the possibility for a breast lift, either at the same time or at a later date, if deemed necessary. Many times drains are placed as well as compression garments used postoperatively. Cost varies among surgeons as well as geographic location. Certainly, for simple removal without any capsule work, the procedure can be tolerated with local anesthesia alone. I typically prefer to remove the capsule. Best wishes!

Thank you for your question. If your implants are intact or are deflated saline implants it is easy to remove them under local anesthesia.

 

Ruptured Silicone Gel Implants are difficult to remove and should be done under General Anesthesia.