Treatment guide

Breast Implant Removal

Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure to remove silicone or saline breast implants. Removal may be requested for cosmetic reasons but can also be advised in the event of implant rupture and medical conditions such as capsular contracture (hardening of the breast). It is often followed by additional procedures such as breast uplift or breast implant revision also, which are intended to create a natural appearance.

The content has been reviewed for quality and accuracy to the best of our knowledge by Qunomedical and its Medical Board of Experts.

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Breast Implant Removal Quick Details

WHO IS THIS FOR

  • Women who have previously had breast implants and decided to return to their original breast size.

  • Women with implants who suffer from capsular contracture or whose implants have ruptured, causing a leakage of fluid into surrounding tissues.

TREATMENT DURATION

  • Before surgery, there may be a period of time when doctors assess the extent of capsule leakage. Candidates may also wish to discuss their options extensively before booking surgery.

  • The surgery itself takes one to two hours in most cases.

RECOVERY TIME

  • Due to the use of a general anaesthetic, implant removal usually requires a hospital stay of one to two days.

  • Swelling, moderate pain and breast hardness tend to last for two to three weeks following surgery.

  • Breasts will settle into their final shape within three to four months.

SUCCESS

  • Success rates are very high although additional surgery such as a breast uplift may be required to ensure the appropriate breast shape.

POTENTIAL RISKS & SIDE EFFECTS

  • Some patients may experience adverse reactions to general anaesthetic although this should be discussed prior to surgery.

  • Surgery carries a very small risk of blood clotting, infections or nerve damage.

  • In the long-term, there is a moderate risk of some numbness in the breasts, although this tends to ease over time.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost?

Breast implant removal costs can vary depending on where you decide to have the treatment and the specific doctor and clinic that you choose. To give you an initial idea of the costs involved, we've laid out starting prices for the treatment in a few different countries. It's worth noting that these prices are not fixed or guaranteed and may cary depending on your individual situation.

CountryPrice (EUR €)
Croatia€1,096
Poland€1,330
Thailand€1,630
Turkey€2,500
Mexico€4,010

What Is Breast Implant Removal Surgery?

Breast implant removal requires the removal of implants from patients who have undergone breast augmentation in the past. It is a surgical procedure carried out by specialists under general anaesthesia and requires a short hospital stay in all cases. The procedure may be purely cosmetic, but can also be rendered necessary by the failure of existing implants. Along with the removal of those implants, the process will often also feature cosmetic procedures to ensure an attractive final breast shape.

How Does a Breast Implant Removal Work?

  • The first stage of an implant removal is the assessment phase. If you desire cosmetic surgery, you will have the opportunity to discuss your options with a cosmetic surgeon, who will assess factors such as lifestyle and expected outcomes and recommend the appropriate procedure. If a rupture is suspected, testing must be carried out to ascertain how far the fluid has spread in the breast tissue.

  • If the assessment result dictates that a simple breast implant removal is the right course of action, surgery will be booked. In the run-up to your admission, doctors will advise that you abstain from alcohol, tobacco and certain medication as well as follow a healthy diet.

  • The surgery itself begins with the administration of an anaesthetic. Then, your cosmetic surgeon will make an incision along the inframammary fold of your breast or around the areola (the area surrounding the nipple).

  • After making the incision, surgeons can simply remove implants from their current location. They can then apply appropriate dressings to the incision site.

However, in many cases, the removal procedure will be followed by a breast uplift. This removes any excess skin and reshapes the breasts, improving their firmness. An uplift may require additional incisions but may be carried out at the same time as your implant removal.

Are There Different Types of Breast Implant Removal?

As noted above, breast implant removals vary depending on whether extra cosmetic surgery is required. This is not the case with all patients, and the extent of the reshaping is often optional. Not all patients feel the need for an uplift, which often necessitates additional incisions, potentially extending the recovery time.

In other cases, women decide to have a breast implant removal followed by an additional augmentation to achieve the correct breast size. Additionally, there may be cases where implant fluid has leaked, leading to the need for more extensive surgery. In these cases, hospital admissions may be longer, and more specialist surgeons will be involved. If this is required, it will be made clear at the start of the implant removal process.

What Should I Expect?

In the vast majority of cases, women undergoing breast implant removal procedures can expect a hassle-free transition to a smaller breast size within months of surgery. The procedure is generally free of complications, and the results very closely resemble expected outcomes, leading to high levels of patient satisfaction.

Expect a period of recovery following surgery, as with any cosmetic procedure. This will involve a few weeks of pain and general discomfort around the incision sites. There will also be a need to manage dressings and for wound cleaning to minimise the risk of infection. However, patients resume full mobility very soon after surgery.

While your breasts recover from surgery, their shape will change. This is a natural aspect of implant removal, so don't expect to see their final shape straight after surgery. The end results will only become apparent a few months afterwards. If you have any doubts about the success of the procedure, scheduling follow-up appointments with your cosmetic surgeon is a good idea as additional corrective procedures can resolve almost any issues.

Frieda

Patient manager

Frieda

Your personal Patient Manager

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