How Long Does Implant Removal Healing Take?

Question

Removing implants 2-3 months post op, they're not for me. How long until my muscles and everything are healed and I no longer feel pain in my breasts due to this surgery?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Many patients report the recovery and healing is much more easier than the original breast augmentation procedure. The #incisions should take approximately a week or two to heal up. You may experience some #discomfort at the incision locations for a few days and a pain reliever may be prescribed to you. Since the breast pockets where the implants were formerly located are now empty and less affected as they were in during the original augmentation, pain within the breast pocket may further be decreased. Side effects of the procedure are possible and each patiemt differs as they recover. At any time during your post-op #healing you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact your doctors to further inquire.

Kevin Tehrani, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Tina,

Breast implant removal is typically a simple procedure that may even be done under local anesthesia with minimal downtime. Seems you are recently post op and would wait at least three months and discuss your reasons for removal with you surgeon as that may not be the best course of action.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

If you only require implant removal, this should be relatively painless.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Removing the implants is a simpler procedure that inserting them in almost all patients (leaking gels excluded). Most patients are back to work the next day, and require few or no pain meds. 

	Best wishes for an uneventful recovery.

How Long Does Implant Removal Healing Take?

Answers (9)