Women who have undergone breast augmentation can breast implant removal decide whether they want to increase or decrease the size of their implants. But, how long does the treatment take? And, what does the recovery time look like? We have answered these common questions and more so you know exactly what to expect during your breast implant removal. If you still have some questions, reach out to the experts at eSSe Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale, FL for a complimentary consultation where they will address all of your concerns.
Do You Need Breast Implant Removal?
Although there is a common misconception that breast implants need to be replaced every few years, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Breast implants last, on average, about 10 to 20 years without complications, and the FDA reports that 20% of women will have their breast implants removed or replaced within 10 years of their original surgery.
There is no reason to subject yourself to major surgery every few years; however, some women decide to remove their breast implants within the first few years of their breast augmentation for their own reasons. Usually, women want to either increase, decrease, or lift their breasts to improve the look and feel of them. This is especially true for women who become pregnant within the first few years following a breast augmentation. However, some women decide to remove their implants due to medical conditions or implant complications. Keep reading to find out how you could benefit from removing your implants.
Change of Mind
Maybe your lifestyle or activity level has changed, resulting in mixed feelings about your breast augmentation. Last year, you may have loved your increased cup size, but this year not so much. Or, you may have decided that you didn’t go big enough your first time around and want to upgrade a cup size or two. Either way, breast implant removal is the best place to start. Once your implants are removed, you can get the size that best suits who you are now.
Implant Complications
No matter how good your surgeon is, breast implants are still susceptible to minor complications. Every woman’s body is unique and everyone heals differently. In fact, a woman’s genetics play a key role in who experiences complications and who doesn’t. So don’t blame your doctor if you experience complications. The cause lies more accurately in your family history.
Some women may experience shifting, sagging, deflation, leaking, or rupture of their implants because of their body’s reaction to their implants. Implants may also form calcium deposits or create excess scar tissue in the breast. When this happens, you can experience pain, discomfort, or asymmetry in the breasts as a result. Breast implant removal is recommended to alleviate these common, minor complications.
Because you’re placing a foreign object in the body with implants, the body’s natural immune response can cause capsular contracture. This causes the breasts to look very round and “ball-like” with visible rippling. It also causes a firm, tight feeling that can be uncomfortable and painful, especially when lying down.
Symptoms of capsular contracture come on slowly and gradually and may take years to notice. However, if it is causing pain or discomfort, you may benefit from breast implant removal. For women suffering from capsular contracture, removing old implants and replacing them with new implants can help them start fresh and improve the look and feel of their breasts.
Medical Complications
Unfortunately, women diagnosed with breast cancer will need their implants removed. Even if you don’t need a mastectomy, you will still need to remove your implants. Not only will this give your doctor a better view of your natural breast tissue, but it will also prevent your implants from causing additional pain and discomfort in your breast as radiation treatment can cause changes in your implants.
Some women with autoimmune disorders may experience prolonged discomfort because of their breast augmentation due to their body’s natural immune response. While this is rare, it is still worth noting for women who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and are having trouble with their implants.
Reverse the Effects of Aging or Childbirth
Breast implants are still subject to the effects of gravity, sun damage, lost tissue connectivity, and the physical effects of motherhood just like natural breasts are. Because of this, breasts can still wrinkle or sag even with implants. Many women who have a child after a breast augmentation find that their breasts change in appearance after pregnancy and breastfeeding. For these women, removing their breast implants and getting a breast lift is an excellent option to give their breasts youthfulness again.
Breast removal with a breast lift is a common treatment included in a mommy makeover for women that are done having children. During a mommy makeover, women treat themselves to a variety of procedures, including a breast implant removal and lift to regain the youthful body they had before having children.
Women may also find that hormonal changes and fluctuations cause their breasts to change shape, and breast implant removal can help women keep their breasts looking perky and youthful despite their body’s changes. This is a great idea for women who have gone through menopause since their breast augmentation and need a little lift to keep their breasts looking youthful.
What to Expect During Your Breast Implant Removal
Getting a breast implant removal is sometimes the best option for women who are having implant complications or who want to change the look of their breasts. Some women may even opt for implant removal with a breast lift or change in cup size. If you’re thinking about getting a breast implant removal, keep reading to find out exactly what to expect from start to finish.
How Can You Prepare for the Treatment?
Proper preparation can help things runs smoothly when the big day comes. Your doctor will normally ask you to stop taking certain medications including aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements, as they may increase bleeding. In addition to this, you will also want to stop smoking before the procedure to make sure your body can properly heal.
Keep in mind that you may need help getting around for the first couple of days following your treatment and you may need to plan to have a friend or family member help you out during the initial healing period. Too much activity can prevent proper healing, which is why it is so important for you to have an extra set of hands to help you out for the first week or so.
How Long Is the Treatment?
Breast implant removal is a quick outpatient procedure that is done under general anesthesia. Because of this, you will need to arrange for someone to pick you up from surgery. Depending on what other procedures you’re having done, it can take between one to three hours from start to finish. Most women can return home on the same day of surgery, while others may return home the following day.
Breast Implant Removal Only
Breast implant removal with no additional procedures will remove your old implants only. This is the ideal treatment for you if you decide that you no longer wish to have breast implants for any reason. Many women who have increased their activity level since their breast augmentation find that their larger breasts no longer fit into their lifestyle and opt to have them removed.
There is also a surge in breast implant removal for women who want to embrace their natural breasts, which is reflected in the recent trend in breast implant removal procedures. This increase in body positivity empowers women to do what is best for their body, whether it be by completely removing their implants or opting for a different size.
This is also a great option for women who are experiencing pain and discomfort from their implants. Capsular contracture can cause unpleasant symptoms and result in a misshapen appearance. For these women, removing their implants is a great place to start. Some women suffering from capsular contracture replace their old implants with new ones, while others prefer to remove them completely. If you are suffering from capsular contracture, your highly skilled surgeon will carefully remove the hardened deposits to help you heal faster.
Breast Implant Removal With a Breast Lift
One of the most popular breast implant removal treatments includes a breast lift. Many women treat themselves to this procedure following having children or to reverse the effect of aging on the body. During this procedure, it is also common to replace your old implants with new implants that are more suitable to the size you desire now. This is an especially helpful treatment to tighten up stretched or sagging skin.
Your plastic surgeon will remove any excess breast skin and tighten your breast tissue for a more youthful appearance and better support. They may also reconstruct your areolas to compliment your new breast shape.
Deflation
Women with saline implants can deflate their implants quickly and easily without undergoing surgery. Your doctor will place you under local anesthesia and drain your implants. This process takes about an hour and you are free to go after you the treatment is over. You may decide to schedule a breast lift or breast implants removal at a later date if you want to update the look of your breasts.
How to Recover After Breast Implant Removal
The process for recovering from this surgery is very similar to the initial breast augmentation recovery period. You want to make sure that you’re giving your body plenty of rest, hydration, and care.
If you’re a fitness junkie, you will have to take a step back from the gym and let your body rest. Strenuous exercise and activity should be postponed for about three weeks for maximum healing. If your implants were moved or replaced, then you may need to wait a few more weeks until you can resume strenuous activity to allow your muscles in the chest to fully heal.
After your procedure, you will need to stay home from work for about one week to make sure your body gets all the rest it needs to heal. You will still want to take it easy at work, though, and steer clear of heavy lifting or strenuous activities. Women with office jobs may find they can return to work sooner than women who work more physically demanding jobs, such as hairstylists or nurses. Trust your body through the healing process and know that you’re doing your body a favor by resting as much as possible.
Conclusion
Whether you want to simply downsize or revamp the look and feel of your breasts entirely, a breast implant removal is a great place to start. Contact our caring professionals at eSSe Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale, FL to see how we can help you today.
