I am having very old silicone implants removed with en bloc. What sort of recovery time should I expect?

The recovery varies from patient to patient.  It depends on how involved the actual surgery may be.  The return to normal activity will be judged on your progress.  

I would expect about 1 week recovery. The soreness is worst for the first few days, and many doctors use drainage tubes for the first week. After that, it import to sleep on your back and keep your chest protected with no excessive upper body activity. After 3-4 weeks, I let patients gradually resume exercise as tolerated. I would follow all of your doctor's recommendations for after care.

If the implants are simply removed without any capsular work recovery should be much quicker and far less painful than your original augmentation. If however there is need to remove the capsule the overall recovery will be lengthened. Normally you should expect to return to most day-to-day activities such as driving your car within 2-3 days. You should be able to return to all of the rest of your activities unrestricted within 2 weeks as long as healing is progressing normally. It is important that you carefully listen to your surgeon and follow his or her recommendations. Good luck

Removing old breast implants can be a difficult decision. If you have not had any problems with your implants and still enjoy the look and feel of the implants, then by all means keep them. Some implants last 20-30 years without any problems. However, here is a list of conditions that one might consider removing implants for:leaking, broken or ruptured implantsswitching from saline to siliconegoing larger in sizegoing smaller in sizeswitching from above the muscle to below the muscleswitching from below the muscle to above the muscle relieving capsular contracture (hardening of the implant)re positioning the implant (up, down, side to side)any combination of the aboveSaline implant ruptures are easy to diagnose, they will become flat within 24-48 hours of leaking, as they are just like a water balloon. The saline is absorbed by the body and it is not harmful. Silicone implants are harder to diagnose if ruptured. Diagnostic studies such as a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI is sometimes needed. Newer silicone implants do not leak silicone, they are gummy, not liquid-like. The much older silicone implants (prior to 1992) can and do leak silicone and should be replaced if broken.Contour deformities caused by implants shifting, weight gain, weight lost, breast feeding, pregnancy, other breast surgeries can also lead to breast implant revision/replacement surgery.Typically, remove and replace procedures are quick outpatient procedures with fast recovery times. Much quicker recovery than the original procedure. If extensive removal of capsules or addition of Alloderm (acellular dermal matrix) is needed, drains may be placed to help with the healing process, and the recovery is longer.If loose skin is a problem and a breast lift is contemplated, staged procedures might be needed. Saline implants can be deflated in the office setting to allow the breast skin to redrape, this will determine if a lift procedure is needed. Silicone implants may need to be removed to allow for an adequate lifting procedure.Always visit with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with experience in breast surgery to determine what the best approach is for you.Based on the information presented, I would recommend the following:Removal of the implants and probably the entire implant capsule.  You might need drain tubes and an extended recovery time of about 1 weekGood Luck!

Thank you for the question. Breast implant removal recovery surgery is usually almost painless and associated with a faster return to activities compared to the breast augmentation procedure. Your plastic surgeon will be your best guide when it comes to recommendations of returning to specific activities given that he/she knows exactly what procedure was performed and how your progressing.  Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Revision breast augmentation recovery is often not as tough as the initial surgery. However, this can vary by the extent of resection for the exchange.

En-block breast implant removal is much more involved surgery. it is more involved if the implant is under the muscle and then the muscle needs to be sutured back to the chest wall. Only your surgeon can explain what is he doing, the surgery in details, the recovery in details and post operative instruction including activity in details. if you have not discussed that then you do not have an informed decision. need to fully discuss these issues with the surgeon. I meet with my patients at least 2-3 times before surgery to discuss all these issues, provide written instruction for preoperative and postoperative steps. Follow the patient with weekly office visits by myself till all is healed. If you are not getting that then you are not given the proper care