Breast implant removal, also known as explanting, or explant surgery has increased in popularity in recent years. While many women are very happy with their implants, others find that they wish to return to their natural breast size for a variety of reasons. Their breast implants may no longer make them feel confident and attractive. Their body may have changed and implants are no longer necessary for adequate breast volume. Or, they may have health concerns that call for the removal of their implants such as symptoms of breast implant illness.
At The Naderi Center, we are pleased to offer explant procedures to patients in Chevy Chase, MD, and Reston, VA, who have undergone breast augmentation with implants and desire the removal of silicone or saline breast implants. We don’t believe there are any right or wrong reasons for women wanting to remove their implants. Our board-certified plastic surgeon and expert staff are dedicated to working with each patient to achieve their desired results. We work with patients from all over northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area.
Breast Implant Removal Expected Results
- Remove the entire capsule from a patient’s breasts so they can return to their natural breast size
- Improvement in breast appearance in cases of breast implant capsular contraction (formation of scar tissue), implant ruptures, deflated implants, or migrated implants.
Ideal Candidate for Breast Implant Removal
A Good Candidate for Breast Implant Removal:
- Have ruptured, leaky, or deflated breast implants
- Have experienced visible rippling of breast implants
- Have had poor reactions to implants such as capsular contracture
- Have persistent breast pain after implants were inserted
- No longer like the look of their breast implants
- Have no medical conditions that will hinder surgical healing
- Is a non-smoker
Breast Implant Removal Surgical Technique
An explant procedure is a fairly simple surgery that’s usually performed under general anesthesia. Our surgeon removes cosmetic breast implants through the original incisions of the breast implant placement. Once they reopen the incisions and carefully remove the implants, our surgeon may need to excise some of the scar tissue, also referred to as the capsule, around the implants. If this isn’t necessary, the scar tissue will deflate and collapse on its own while the patient’s body heals. Our surgeon will then suture the incisions and cover them with dressings.
Breast implant removal surgery takes anywhere from one to three hours to complete. If patients decide to pair a breast lift or fat transfer with their procedure, or are interested in receiving new and more modern implants, the surgery will take longer.
Depending on the reason for breast implant removal, as well as the types of breast implants, the surgical technique will vary.
REMOVAL OF SALINE BREAST IMPLANTS
Saline implants may often times be removed the same day as your consultation appointment and performed under local anesthesia, especially if there are no plans of replacing the breast implants.
REMOVAL OF SILICONE BREAST IMPLANTS
Removal of silicone implants are typically done on an outpatient basis at an accredited surgical center or hospital under general anesthesia.
STEP 1: Inframammary Breast Incision – A small incision is made at the inframammary breast fold.
STEP 2: Removal of Scar Tissue – If there is evidence of capsular contracture, the surgeon will need to remove any scar tissue that has formed around the old breast implants.
STEP 3: Closure of Incision
Cost of Breast Implant Removal
There are a variety of factors that determine the overall cost of your breast implant removal procedure.
For more detailed pricing information visit here.
- Surgeons Fee: $2,650 + (removal only)
- Anesthesia Fee: Depends on the length of the procedure
- Hospital and Surgical Facility Fees: Depends on the length of the procedure
- Post-Surgery Compression Garments: Included with surgeon’s fee at The Naderi Center
- Pre-Surgical Medical Clearance and Lab Tests: Usually covered by medical insurance
- Medication Costs: Usually covered by medical insurance
- Follow-Up Visits: Included with surgeon’s fee at The Naderi Center
Preparation for Breast Implant Removal
The best way for patients to prepare for breast implant removal is to educate themselves on the procedure and to ask our surgeon any specific questions they may have throughout the process. On the day of the surgery, they should arrive wearing a shirt that buttons down in the front so that they don’t have to worry about pulling a shirt over their head after the surgery has been completed.
Patients who smoke should quit at least 8 weeks prior to the procedure and at least 4 weeks after as smoking can lead to healing complications. In addition, all patients should arrange a ride home from surgery as they won’t be able to drive after the procedure.
Recovery after Breast Implant Removal
Following breast implant removal, patients can expect some discomfort, which can be managed with prescription pain medication. After a few days of rest and time away from work, patients are typically able to return to their normal, everyday activities. We suggest that patients refrain from strenuous activity for at least a month during the healing process to help avoid complications.
Risks and Complications of Breast Implant Removal
Since breast implant removal is a surgical procedure, it is possible for patients to experience some risks and complications. When breast implant removal is performed by a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon at The Naderi Center, the chances of these risks and complications are significantly reduced.
Potential Risks after Breast Implant Removal
- Risk of general anesthesia
- Unexpected bleeding
- Poor scar or incision healing
- Infection
- Nerve injury and changes in breast sensation
- Asymmetry
- Fluid accumulation also known as a seroma
- Need for revision arm lift surgery
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Breast Surgery Experts
At The Naderi Center, our board-certified plastic surgeons is committed to ensuring that each and every patient looks and feels their best. We have performed many breast implant removals for former breast augmentation patients in Washington D.C. and northern Virginia to help them improve their health, aesthetics, and well-being.
If you entrust us with your breast implant removal, you can expect our highly skilled and experienced breast and body surgeons to be there for you before, during, and after the surgery to answer your questions and address your concerns. You’ll receive the one-on-one attention and individualized, compassionate care you deserve.
Schedule a Consultation at The Naderi Center
If you’re interested in removing your breast implants or have additional questions about this plastic surgery, we invite you to schedule a private consultation at our northern Virginia facility. Call our office in Reston, Virginia at 703-481-0002 or Chevy Chase, Maryland at 301-222-2020 or fill out our convenient online contact form. We look forward to meeting you!
Breast Implant Removal Questions and Answers
Breast implant removal leads to permanent results. However, patients may notice changes in the shape, size, and position of their breasts as they go through the natural process of aging. Pregnancy and weight fluctuations may also affect the results of their breast implant removal.
After a breast implant removal, some patients are unhappy with the shape of their breasts and choose to undergo a breast lift procedure, which involves removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding skin and breast tissue so that a more youthful breast contour and position can be created. Other patients do not opt for a breast lift as they are pleased with the appearance of their natural breasts.
Some women wish to replace their breast implants with those of a different type or size. This is typically the case for women who have experienced a ruptured implant as it can allow them to address the defective implant and replace it all at once.
After breast implant removal, patients can expect to see results immediately. Their results will improve over several weeks after the surgery as the body heals. If they are displeased with their results for any reason, our surgeon can discuss options such as breast lift procedures or new implants to improve the appearance of the breasts.
Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications of breast implant surgery. It occurs when the scar tissue that typically forms around a breast implant tightens and squeezes the implant, leading to extreme pain. Capsular contracture is treated with breast implant removal.
No. In many cases, the surgeon who placed a patient’s implants has either retired or moved to another location. There aren’t any significant benefits to returning to the same surgeon, so patients can safely go to another board-certified plastic surgeon who makes them feel comfortable.
If you live in the states of Virginia or Maryland, The Naderi Center for Plastic Surgery and Dermatology offers breast implant removal among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.
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