There was a time when a record number of women were jumping on the bandwagon to get breast implants done. From 2000 to 2006, it was the most sought out procedure as it rose to almost 55%. However, this boob job bubble couldn’t survive long and got burst. Nowadays, the trends have shifted, and more women are getting breast implant removal in Dubai.
The reason is that implants not meant to be lifetime devices. The longer you are going to have them, the more additional surgeries you are going to require. It could be either replacement or removal. While approving the breast implants procedure, the FDA clearly warned that they must remove within 10-20 years. It is because serious complications can develop, and disproportionately large breasts can also cause neck, shoulder and back problems.
If you are also facing some problems due to your implants and are thinking of removing them then this post is for you. Here, you will find all the essential information that you need to know regarding breast implant removal.
What is Breast Implant Removal?
Breast implant surgery is also a cosmetic procedure that is done to reverse the breast augmentation procedure. In this treatment, the breast implants are removed, and the breast’s shape or size is revised. The procedure includes three simple techniques, or it can be performed in the following three ways;
- Removal of the implants and replacing them with new implants.
- Repositioning of the existing implants
- Removal of the existing implants with no replacement
If you have developed complications due to breast implants like infection or capsular contracture, then your plastic surgeon will suggest you to get them removed.
Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
The majority of women who have undergone breast implant would ultimately need a revision/removal procedure. Some major reasons for breast implant removal include;
- Necrosis- a condition in which dead tissues begin to develop around the breast implants.
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Calcification- A build-up of calcium in the breast tissues
- Capsular contracture
- Rupture or deflation – if a hole appears on the surface of the implant and they start leaking
- Ptosis- when the breasts begin to sag
- Displacement in the positioning of the implants occurs and move out of that position
- Implant wrinkling
- Hematoma- formation of a blood clot around the surgical area
- Seroma- a collection of fluid around the implants
- Deformation in the chest wall or the ribs cage.
- Pain in breasts
- Delayed wound healing
- Extrusion- when the implants break through the skin because of skin breakdown.
- Breast tissue atrophy- when the skin begins to shrink
Any woman who is facing these symptoms should undergo breast implant removal because it can be dangerous for you to keep such damaged implants inside your body. Immediate removal is the primary step towards a patient’s recovery. The complications that occur due to breast implants should not be ignored because they can lead to serious illness and even premature death. If any of these symptoms are prevailing in you then the treatment must not be delayed.
Patients will experience an improvement in their condition after the removal procedure. However, the symptoms might linger for some time because the body first undergoes the detoxification process and then starts healing. But complete recovery is assured within a year after the surgery.
Who Else Can Undergo Breast Implant Removal?
Apart from any complications, there can be another reason to undergo breast implant removal, i.e. personal choice. Many women opt for this procedure because of some personal reasons like they might feel that their breasts implants are of the wrong shape or size. Their expectations were not met, and they are not happy with the implants.
Similarly, over time changes might have occurred in their position. They might have moved into the wrong position because of weight loss, weight gain or pregnancy. Or their body was unable to adjust to the increased size or weight. All of these situations can be the reason for implant removal or replacement, and all such candidates can undergo breast implant removal.
Breast Implant Removal Procedure
Now you must be wondering what actually happens during the surgery and how the surgery is performed.
So, let’s learn about the procedure in detail.
The removal surgery usually takes almost 1-3 hours for completion and is performed under general anesthesia. You might be allowed to go home soon after the surgery, depending upon your recovery speed and healing power.
The breast removal surgery performed in the following ways;
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Breast Implant Removal Only
In this procedure, the breast implants straightforwardly removed. For this purpose, incisions made at exactly the same place where breast implant incisions made. And if you are suffering from capsular contracture, then the hardened capsules will remove in order to accelerate the healing process.
-
Implant Removal With Breast Lift
In case you have sagging breasts, then your plastic surgeon will perform breast lift along with breast implant removal. It will remove the excess breast skin that has been stretched or sagged over time and will tighten up the breast tissues.
-
Deflation
If you have saline breast implants, then your plastic surgeon will prefer to deflate your implants instead of performing a surgery. This procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, even in the surgeon’s office. Furthermore, depending upon the results, you may be subjected to more surgeries like breast lift or breast implant replacement.
Recovery After Breast Implant Removal
The recovery process varies from person to person. Recovery from breast implant removal is way too smoother than breast implant surgery itself. The best part about breast implant removal is that women can get back to their routine lives in just five days. There will be minimal discomfort but not much distress.
However, if you have undergone breast lift too after removal, then your breasts will feel tighter and heavy for a couple of weeks. Similarly, if you opted for implant removal due to capsular contracture then it can take some time to recover from the surgery.
The scars left by breast implant removal are inconspicuous and heal smoothly. But this healing phase occurs in stages and can take almost 3-4 months. The scars after surgery will fade away with time but they will never disappear completely. For a smooth recovery, you need to follow these steps;
- Avoid lifting things that are above five kilograms.
- Do not exercise excessively for at least 6 weeks after your surgery.
- Do wear compression garments as suggested by your surgeon.
- Take the prescribed medicines regularly.
- Resume your normal activities after six weeks.
- It takes several months for the breasts to settle in their new position.
Side Effects of Breast Implant Removal
You might have chosen breast implant removal surgery because of implant-related complications. But there are some complications with removal procedure as well. These side-effects can minimize by choosing the right surgeon. Some of these major side-effects are;
- Breast distortion or deformity which can also cause sagging in the breast area.
- Skin scarring – thick, red and painful scars can develop which may last for a few years.
- The breast area can become numb.
- Scar tissue
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Reduced nipple sensation which can last for at least 6 months.
It requires proper planning and post-operative care to reduce the chances of complications. You should inform your surgeon about all the details of your medical record. For example, if you have any illness or you are taking any medicines that might cause blood thinning. It is crucial for your surgeon to know about your medical history because your treatment and then the healing process depends on it. You should strictly follow the post-operative instructions to avoid post-surgical infections.
What are the results of breast implant removal surgery?
After undergoing breast implant surgery, your breasts will appear deflated initially. Your breasts will take 2-3 weeks to regain the volume. If you have undergone breast lift after the implant removal surgery then your breasts will not have caved appearance. It is obvious that after getting breast implant removal surgery, your breasts will not be the same as they were, before you had breast implant surgery. It’s because the weight of the breast implants causes the tissues to stretch and make changes in the rib area. It is essential for you to know about the expected results before undergoing surgery. In this way, you will be able to keep realistic expectations from the procedure.
Conclusion
If you were planning to get breast implant removal surgery, then this article is very beneficial for you. It covers almost all the significant details that you need to know before undergoing the procedure. From procedure details, reasons, side-effects and recovery of the treatment, you will find everything summed up in this article. However, we would suggest choosing the best plastic surgeon because the surgery success depends on the experience of your surgeon. Also, you can ensure your safety and reduced the chances of complications during the procedure by having an expert surgeon.
