Removal of implant after mastectomy. Would this require hospitalization and drains, or could it be an outpatient procedure?

Hello!  Thank you for your question.  It is certainly your decision if you wish to remove your other implant and terminate your reconstruction at this time. It is typically done as an outpatient surgical procedure. It is common to use a drain in order to remove the fluid which will accumulate in the potential space from the pocket where the implant was placed and promote adherence of your skin flaps down to your chest wall. Your decision is reasonable.  This will not preclude you from having reconstruction in the future if you so decide. In the meantime, prosthetic bras are always an option for you too. Best wishes!

Sorry to hear about your issues after your reconstruction. Removal of the implant can be done as an outpatient. I would typically recommended drain with the removal the implant and the capsule. This is up to the discretion of your surgeon.

Removing an implant from a normal healthy breast and normally be done as an outpatient.  Whether or not you will need a drain will depend on the judgment of your surgeon.  If there is nothing wrong with the pocket and there is no fluid present it is very likely that you will not need a drain.

You could have the implant removed as a day case procedure. I would however get a second opinion before removing your reconstruction. It may be that another surgeon may be able to help you and if you remove the implant on the "good" side you may decrease your options available to have a bilateral reconstruction

Usually an implant can be removed and be performed as an outpatient procedure so that you can go home the same day. Best to ask your surgeon.

Thank you for your question.  In general a removal of an implant does not require hospitalization with IV antibiotics.  Your situation was highly unusual so you had hospitalization and IV antibiotics due to the infection.  Normally you would have the procedure done on an out patient basis with IV antibiotics during surgery, oral antibiotics as precaution after surgery and a JP drain in that breast for several days following surgery.  If you are concerned I would speak with the Oncologist or Infectious Disease specialist who managed your condition previously to get their input.  Best of luck to you