Breast implant removal or Breast revision is a surgical procedure that removes or replaces breast implants placed during breast augmentation.� The procedure may be indicated for medical reasons such as a ruptured or leaking silicone breast implant, or it may be the patient�s personal choice.� To provide a satisfactory aesthetic outcome, a cosmetic procedure may be performed during or after breast implant removal.� Removal of breast implants is frequently followed by replacement with a different implant type (such as silicone gel) or a breast lift (mastopexy) procedure.Contact our office to review any questions and to schedule your consultation.�
Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
You may believe that breast implants no longer fit into your lifestyle or you may decide that a different implant size or type is appropriate.� In either of these cases, breast implant removal will be necessary.
- Change in size preferences
- Switch from saline to silicone testing and things are great!
- Decision to remove implants
Medical indications for breast implant removal may include trauma, disease, or a surgery complication. Complications of breast augmentation may necessitate breast implant removal or revision surgery.� Some of these complications are as follows:
- Capsular contracture
- Implant displacement
- Visible implant rippling
- Ruptured implant
- Nipple malposition
Leaking or Ruptured Silicone Gel Breast Implants
As a Board Certified New Jersey Plastic Surgeon, and the medical director of Central New Jersey Plastic Surgery, Dr. Chidyllo has extensive experience in the treatment of leaking or ruptured silicone breast implants. It is recommended that these implants be removed (explanted) shortly after the diagnosis has been confirmed. The state of the art diagnostic procedure to determine whether a silicone breast implant is leaking is by having a breast MRI performed. Some women choose not to replace their breast implants after the silicone implants have been removed. The breast tissue can be re-shaped and contoured without the placement of a new breast implant. In this case a breast lift (mastopexy) may be the procedure of choice to lift and reshape the loose breast tissue which exists after the removal of the silicone implants.
If the woman chooses to replace the removed silicone breast implants with new implants, then she has many options to consider. She may choose between the new generation of silicone gel implants or saline implants. There are also many different types of implant profile (projection of the implant). All of these factors will be reviewed with you by Dr. Chidyllo and his staff at the time of the initial consultation.
The Surgery
Breast implant removal is a relatively straightforward procedure.� The implant is typically approached through the same surgical incisions as your original breast augmentation.� Surgery may be as short as one hour, but this will vary depending on your particular condition.
After Breast Implant Removal
Removing breast implants carries a possibility for an undesirable aesthetic outcome, especially if you�ve had them for several years.� When breast augmentation is first performed, the skin stretches to accommodate the implants.� If they are removed, it is likely that your skin will not shrink back to a satisfactory state.
While it is possible that your breasts will return to their pre-augmentation appearance, most patients will benefit from another cosmetic procedure.� Your plastic surgeon may recommend a breast lift to tighten the tissues and excess skin.� To meet your appearance goals, he or she may also recommend a different implant size or different implant type.
