Types of Breast Implant Removal Surgeries

September 17th, 2022 by

Types of Breast Implant Removal Surgeries

During a breast implant removal surgery, the implants are either completely removed or replaced. 

As with any surgery, it’s important to know what will happen and what risks might be involved. In this article, we’ll talk about the various types of breast implant removal techniques and why you might need the procedure, among other things.

Types of Breast Implant Removal Surgeries

Breast Implant Removal Alone

This method removes the implant by making an incision on the breast (usually along the initial breast augmentation incision). Here, the implant is removed from the breast pocket but the scar tissue that surrounds the implant is left untouched. 

From here, the breast pocket can be tightened and the incision closed, or a new implant can be inserted.

Capsulectomy

During a total capsulectomy, the surgeon removes the implant and the scar tissue capsule (either partially or totally), but they are usually not taken out simultaneously. After making an incision in the scar capsule to remove the implant, it is separated from the breast tissue around it and removed, often in several pieces.

The total capsulectomy method is more thorough than a partial capsulectomy, which only takes out parts of the scar capsule and lets the rest break down on their own. A total capsulectomy gets rid of all scar tissue in the body. It is easier and less complicated to do than an en-bloc capsulectomy.

En Bloc Capsulectomy

An en bloc capsulectomy is the most comprehensive way to remove breast implants because it removes both the implants and the scar tissue capsule from the breast at the same time. The procedure is delicate and hard to do, so it needs to be done by a plastic surgeon who is an expert in en bloc capsulotomies.

Because this procedure keeps the implant from ever touching the natural breast tissue, it lowers the risk of infection or other problems; this makes it the best choice for implants that have ruptured.

When Is It Ideal to Remove Breast Implants?

Even though breast implants last for a long time, they are not permanent devices. They are often estimated to last for 10 to 15 years. 

Scar tissue forms around breast implants once they are inserted, and this scar tissue can occasionally harden and constrict around the implant. This is one of the most common reasons they need to be removed or replaced. 

A breast implant removal surgery may also be necessary if:

  • A breast implant leaks
  • Calcium deposits form around the implant
  • The immune system responds to the implant
  • Death occurs on the tissue around the implant
  • The implant is painful
  • You no longer like the appearance of your augmented breasts

What Are the Pros of Having Breast Implants Taken Out?

Taking out breast implants has a few benefits. Getting the surgery could affect:

  • Mammograms: It might be hard to see breast tissue clearly on an X-ray if you have silicone or saline implants. If you don’t have breast implants, the results of your mammogram may be easier to understand.
  • Pain relief: If you have capsular contracture (the hardening of the implant), removing your implants may give you pain relief immediately. You can take out large implants if they are causing pain in the neck or back.
  • Risks of replacement and rupture: If scar tissue gets hard enough, it could cause the implant to break. When implants are taken out, there is no longer any chance they will break.

Breast Implant Removal FAQs

Is a Breast Lift Needed After Breast Implants Are Taken Out?

Women who have had their breast implants taken out don’t always need a breast lift or mastopexy. Once you take the implants out, you may or may not need a breast lift. This depends on how big the implants are and how tight your skin is. When larger implants, which stretch the skin a lot, are taken out, the skin may not completely go back to its original shape.

Can the Scar Tissue Grow Back After a Breast Implant Removal?

The breast size will return to normal three weeks after the explant surgery. But it can take up to a year to see the final results. After implant removal, the breasts may not look like they did, especially if the implants stay in for a long time and the breast tissue is thin. In this case, a beast lift may be needed.

How Much Does a Breast Implant Removal Cost?

The average breast implant removal cost in Houston is estimated to be $3,049. The price does not include anesthesia, equipment used in the operating room, or other related costs, which only comprise a small part of the total cost. Please call your plastic surgeon’s office and schedule a consultation for a final price estimate. If your insurance doesn’t cover the removal of your breast implants, talk to your cosmetic surgeon about other ways to pay for it.