I want to get my implants removed but have some concerns

Question

I got a breast Aug 3 weeks ago & want to get them removed as this was a mistake & truly just not for me. I was a A cup & for 250CCs silicone I am 25 years old. I want to get them removed at 8 weeks, will they bounce back to what they were before? How can I minimize the drop & fluff process so my breasts go back to the way they were. I am debating between IV anesthesia & local as well, any advice on that? I do not want to go under again as I am scared.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @lauielee652, thank you for your question. Generally an explant can be done 12 months after surgery. The need for a lift depends on the specialized surgical technique. I always perform immediate cosmetic reconstruction with the patient's own tissue using the BRALAN Technique (Breast Reconstruction Anatomical Lift Augmentation). It is always safer to use general anesthesia for a surgical procedure. Regarding general anesthesia, it has been used safely in hundreds of thousands of surgeries every day, with very few adverse effects. In fact, many studies have suggested that the use of general anesthesia for major procedures such as this may reduce the risk of complications compared to the use of local anesthesia. If you are considering a breast explant, consultation with a plastic surgeon experienced in this procedure is essential to ensure optimal results. I link you to a video to shed more light. Best regards.

Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), Member of the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” (IFATS), Member of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery (SCCP).

Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), Member of the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” (IFATS), Member of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery (SCCP).

Shaher W. Khan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The sooner you remove your implants, the better chance for a natural appearance again. Your age, size of the implants, and helath all play a role in recovery. Usually younger patients retract better than older people due to the elasticity factor. As for anesthesia, I use twilight sedation. This is less harsh on the individual. Although, if needed, general anesthesia is avaialble.

Philip J. Straka, MD, FACS · Answer

Very good question!  The degree of fluffing and skin retraction is highly variable from patient to patient due to several factors such as patient age, the thickness of one's subcutaneous breast tissue, and skin elasticity, however, due to the fact that you are only 25 years old likely increases your chance of having better skin elasticity than an older patient. Also, since your implants have not been in place for very long and due to the fact that they are smaller implants, I feel it is more likely that your tissues will "bounce back to what they were before." You can likely minimize "the drop," referred to breast ptosis, by undergoing breast implant removal surgery sooner than later to minimize the time that the added weight of your breasts from the implants stretch your breast skin.   To answer your question about anesthesia, most breast implant removal surgeries that I perform are under general anesthesia, in part, to keep patients most comfortable during the procedure.  I would have you undergo evaluation by the anesthesia provider preoperatively to review those risks with you.  You can refer to my website (drstraka.com) to see examples of breast implant removal patients of various ages who have undergone breast implant removal. The best way to estimate what your breasts would look like after breast implant removal would be to undergo an in-office examination by a plastic surgeon who is very experienced at performing breast implant removal surgery.  These are procedures which I personally have performed for over 25 years. I wish you the best of luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear lauielee652,
you need to discuss this with your plastic surgeon as probably the best option is to wait until you are fully healed to see the final results. However, if you decide to remove implants earlier, there is a high chance that your breasts will have the same size as prior to surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

It is possible that your skin may contract back. You will need to wear a compressive garment for several months to help the skin retract back. Depending on where the implants were placed, you could possibly remove the implants under local anesthesia.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I'm sorry you are unhappy with your breast augmentation.  As you've had your implants in such a short time and since they are conservatively sized, you should return to a look similar to your pre op appearance once you have fully healed from surgery.  Be sure to closely follow your surgeon's advice.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

I am sorry you are not thrilled with your new look. Your breasts will not "fluff" with removal of the implants.  Since your breasts have been stretched, they may not be exactly like they initially were. However, you did not go with large implants and the implants will not have been in place very long.
You can remove these under local, but you will feel the numbing solution and may feel pressure when removed. If you are concerned about pain or pressure, go with IV sedation.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

If you’re 100% certain that you don’t want implants then you should have them removed as quickly as possible.
Do so before you develop scar tissue.
The sooner the better.
If you wait until your 12 weeks out then it’s better to wait six months before doing surgery.
Explantation is easy and straightforward.
It can be done using local anesthesia, though sedation may be nice.
It depends what approach was used. For saline implants, local anesthesia is usually sufficient to because you can puncture the implant and pull it out.
Removing a silicon implant, it requires a bit more force and pulling and may be uncomfortable.
Talk to your provider and have them guide you through the process.
The most important variable is knowing that you’re not going to change your mind and want to implants again.
Maybe you just need smaller implants?
You do not want to explant then re-augment.
At this point, there’s not that much of a drawback by waiting.
If you know you want them out then have it done ASAP.
Otherwise take your time.
Scar tissue starts developing immediately.
It’s generally in full force by a couple of months and at that point it’s better to let this scar tissue mature.
You will get different opinions about this from different providers.
For revision surgery, we generally always recommend waiting six months, but for explanation it is a bit different.
I think more doctors are prone to moving early and operating before six months when it comes to explantation.
Generally speaking either do it right away or wait the full six months. 
Potential changes in breast appearance is going to be related to potential scar tissue development and to some degree what your breast look like before the procedure.
250 mL is a fairly modest size breast but a tiny person. It could be a pretty big change.
For example, if you weigh 160 pounds then a 250 mL implant is pretty small.
If you weigh 95 pounds then a 250 mL implant is going to be much more significant.
Don’t worry too much about the surgical process.
My best recommendation is you think deep and hard regarding wanting implants and why you had the procedure in the first place.
Generally, speaking well done breast augmentation on patients who are good candidates gives high patient satisfaction.
If you have a good outcome, then there’s something to be said about slowing down the train and maybe you’ll learn to like these girls.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

I want to get my implants removed but have some concerns

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