Breast implant removal

Breast implants have been in use for many years but are not lifetime devices.  There are reasons patients may wish to have their breast implants removed.  There are different types of breast implants.  All breast implants are surrounded by a capsule, which is the body’s normal reaction to a foreign body. Sometimes breast tissue has drooped over the implants, or the implants may become deflated or contracted.  

No reason, just don’t want them any longer

Sometimes, the breast shape is good, the implants are fine, but patients just want them removed. That can be done, with or without a breast lift depending on the patient’s desires and the quality of the tissue.  It is never absolutely required to do a breast lift, but not doing one when the tissue is very thin or droopy can leave a breast shape that is very different from the shape prior to what was present before the implants were placed. 

Want to be smaller and without implants

Removing the implants will always make the breasts smaller, but if more reduction in size is desired, that can be done with a breast lift at the time of implant removal.

Want better shape and without implants

Removal of the implants can be combined with a breast lift that is designed to preserve as much breast tissue as possible to maintain as much volume as possible, but without implants.  

Implant has deflated, become contracted, or changed position

These problems do not require implant removal but can lead patients to desire removal of their implants. Breast lifting or capsule removal may or may not be helpful depending on the overall clinical situation. 

Concern for health implications of implants

Although solid data are not available proving implants cause systemic health problems, some patients want implants removed anyway. This is possible, and may or may not be combined with breast lift, capsule removal, or other procedures.  It is important to understand that certain serious medical conditions may not have anything to do with the implants, so implant removal may not affect those conditions.