Removal of Breast Implants

Breast augmentation will produce a number of lasting changes in a patient's life, but patients often take heart knowing that removal of breast implants is possible. For the most part, removing breast implants is a simple medical procedure that can happen at any time for a patient with breast implants. There are a number of reasons why patients are interested in removing their breast implants after having undergone the surgery. Some feel that they would like a return to their pre-surgery body shape, whereas others find that the breast implants are a hindrance in their daily lives. More serious is breast implants removal caused by medical necessity, such as a rupture of silicone breast implants or the development of capsular contracture.

Regardless of the reason behind the breast implants removal, the medical name of the breast implants removal is breast prosthesis. The intended result of breast prosthesis is the removal of the breast implants and the possible removal of capsules (scar tissue) and local silicone.

The anesthesia used in breast implants removal will depend on the intent of the surgery. For example, if only the breast implants are being removed then the entire operation can be performed under: local anesthesia; sedation and local anesthesia; or general anesthesia. However, if breast implants removal is being accompanied by removed of capsules around the implants, then the operation will be required to be performed with sedation and either local or general anesthesia.

The amount of time needed to recuperate following the operation will depend on the extent of the breast implants removal operation. For example, if only the breast implants are being removed, the patient will find that the pain following the surgery will be minimal. However, for patients that are undergoing a surgery in which both the breast implants and capsules around the implants are being removed, the patient will find that they will experience discomfort comparable to the discomfort experienced after the initial breast augmentation procedure. Regardless of the degree of pain felt following the surgery, oral medication is available to the patient to control post-operation discomfort.

To get a better idea of the amount of discomfort you may experience following this treatment and the steps that you need to take following breast implants removal, you should consult with your plastic surgeon about these issues. Patients's reaction to surgery will largely depend on their own unique circumstances.

However, it is important that individuals that are interested in obtaining breast augmentation understand that breast implants removal is an option that is open to them. Ideally, the patient should be willing to obtain breast implants for the duration of their lifetime. Still, if circumstances dictate that a patient needs to or wants to have their breast implants removed there is a surgical option available that will help the patient reach their goal.