Removal of Breast Implants

Removal of Breast Implants

Many clients present seeking removal of breast implants — or for reversal of a previously performed breast augmentation.

Many clients underwent breast augmentation in their younger years or shortly after childbirth, and after enjoying their augmented breasts for decades, are seeking a return to a smaller cup size.

Common reasons that clients offer for seeking removal of implants are as follows:

• The voluptuous shape popular in the past is no longer as fashionable.
• The original augmentation is no longer suitable to a changed body type
• They have difficulty finding brassieres and clothes that fit their augmented breasts 
• The implants are heavy and impede physical activity
• Concerns related to symptoms or illness that the patient believes are related to their existing implants.

Removal of an implant generally requires en bloc capsulectomy and explantation of the breast prostheses (implant).  Removal of breast implants are necessarily accompanied by some form of a breast lift, or mastopexy,  in order to reposition the breast and address the excess skin of the breast envelope that remains following removal of an implant.  I have found success with the limited vertical incision mastopexy – sometimes referred to as the lollipop incision.  However, removal of larger implants may require more extensive incisions.  In some cases, a smaller implant may be combined with a mastopexy in order to achieve the desired results.  We may also combine the breast lift with a modest fat transfer to the breast in order to achieve the desired aesthetic result.

In general, I find that clients accept the incision required for explantation to be quite acceptable in exchange for a smaller, shapely, and more manageable breast size.  Ultimately, clients are guided by a desire for an improved daily quality of life.

If you are considering revision of removal of breast implants, please arrange a personal consultation at the Reddy Aesthetic Institute.