Breast Implant Removal

Saline or silicone breast implant removal cosmetic surgery may be an appropriate solution for women who are unhappy with the results of their primary breast augmentation. 

If the original breast implant procedure was done improperly, it may be necessary for the patient to undergo breast implant removal. Breast implants may become hardened or displaced due to incorrect placement or pressure from scar tissue.

Correlating with this, the procedure may also be necessary if the implants rupture or deflate due to a defective implant or an injury. In case an infection develops, breast implants may also need to be removed. plastic surgeon Dr. David Kim provides breast implant removal to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding communities. 

What does Breast Implant Removal Surgery involve?

Before proceeding with the breast implant removal process, the surgeon will evaluate the causes of the implant complications and recommend a course of treatment to the patient. If the patient chooses to have her silicone or saline implants replaced with a different type or size of breast implant, the replacement can be performed as an independent procedure.

If the patient, however, decides to have her implants removed, the surgeon will advise her about options such as breast lift plastic surgery, which can be performed simultaneously with the removal procedure. 

The surgeon will likely undertake the procedure using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. To attain access to the implant, the surgeon will place an incision in one of the following areas:

• Right underneath the armpit
• Around the areola
• Under the breast fold
• Rarely, through the navel

The incisions involved in breast implant removal are usually the same as the ones made during the original breast augmentation surgery. The surgeon will typically also remove scar tissue as well as the breast implant during this procedure.

Saline Breast Implant Removal

The surgeon may deflate the implant before removing it during saline revision surgery to allow easier removal. Once the implant has been removed, the surgeon will remove scar tissue from the previous breast enlargement procedure. 

As soon as the original implant is removed, the placement of new implants or breast lift surgery will take place. It takes between 30 to 45 minutes to complete the surgery. Following the procedure, the patient will remain in the hospital for a few hours under observation.

Silicone Breast Implant Removal

A silicone implant that ruptures may go undetected. Therefore, the surgeon will perform a manual exam to check the implant for any signs of distress or rupture before removing it during silicone revision surgery. This minimizes any risks related to the breast implant procedure.

Implant removal may be more complicated than the primary enhancement procedure, especially when the outer shell is textured or foam covered. Sometimes the adjacent tissue and muscle may also need to be removed in addition to the implant.

During the removal, the patient may also receive a breast implant replacement, breast lift, or scar revision. The time taken to complete the implant removal procedure depends on whether other procedures are being undertaken simultaneously. It usually takes less than one hour to remove silicone breast implants. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for breast implant removal.

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim.  Click here to contact us today.

Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and surrounding areas.