Breast Implant Revision, Replacement & Removal Surgery in NJ
Women around the world see breast augmentation surgery and breast implants as a way to improve the contours and curvature of their bodies. Over time, women may become dissatisfied with their implants. There are several solutions to consider when considering changes to your breast implants.
Reasons for Breast Implant Removal, Revision or Replacement
Is breast implant removal, revision or replacement right for me? Any of the following feelings or conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for one of these procedures:
Dissatisfaction or Lifestyle Change
Sometimes a woman changes her mind about wanting breast implants. She may become dissatisfied with the way they look or how they contribute to her overall appearance. She may also become self-conscious about having implants at all. Other times, a patient may simply wish to remove her implants because they no longer suit her lifestyle. If any of these situations happen, it’s good to know that an experienced plastic surgeon can remove the implants safely and with beautiful results.
Desire for a Size Change
A patient may wish to exchange her implants for smaller or larger implants; or to switch from saline to a silicone implants, or vice versa.
Neck or Back Pain (due to very large breasts)
The larger augmented breast, just like natural breasts without implants, can cause neck and shoulder pain. When this happens, a woman is likely to want her implants removed or replaced by smaller implants.
Fluctuations in Weight
Fluctuations in a woman’s weight can cause her breast implants to look less balanced in relation to the overall size and shape of the body. A woman who got breast implants at a time when she was heavier may feel her breasts are now too large and might want the implants removed.
Age-Related Changes
Many women decide, as they get older, that they no longer want an implant. Some women want smaller implants, as their breasts have gotten larger with perimenopausal changes.
Wrinkled or Rippling
Sometimes a breast implant will develop the appearance of visible ridges or wrinkles that show through the skin. When this occurs, it’s called rippling or wrinkling of the implant. Breast implant rippling can occur when implants are placed in an area that lacks adequate tissue to accommodate the implant, or when a saline implant is not sufficiently filled prior to implantation. Rippling usually develops on the outer perimeter of the augmented breast: on the side, bottom or in between the breasts. It may be especially visible on the top of the breast when a woman leans forward. Wrinkling or rippling is more likely to be visible in very thin women. Under-filled implants are more likely to have this problem than overfilled ones. Unfortunately, massaging, exercising or special skin products cannot eliminate rippling.
Deflated Breast Implants
Both saline and silicone breast implants have an outer shell made of silicone. Due to the softness and pliability of this shell is also be subject to tearing, When a saline breast implant shell tears, it is called a deflation. When the implant deflates the enclosed saline leaks out and is absorbed by the body. This results in a marked shrinkage of the breast. It’s usually obvious when a saline implant begins to deflate and the breast typically shrinks within hours to days.
Sagging
After a time, breast implants may begin to sag. Removal of the implant is the best solution to this situation. Sometimes, a breast lift procedure may be needed to restore a youthful shape to the breasts.
Ruptured Breast Implants
Ruptured breast implants can cause breast pain or changes in the shape of the breast. When a silicone breast implant is placed in your body a capsule made of fibrous tissue forms around the implant. If the implant ruptures, it might go unnoticed because any free silicone may remain inside this capsule. However, sometimes the tissue surrounding the implant may become inflamed. This can lead to some problems including:
- Lumpiness in the affected breast
- Changes in breast shape or size
- Pain, soreness or swelling
- Softening or hardening of the breast
If a woman who has silicone breast implants feels one or both may have ruptured, it’s a good idea to come in and consult us. Tests are available to confirm or rule out the rupturing. If a rupture has occurred we can go over the best treatment for you. If an implant is known to be ruptured, it is best to remove the ruptured implant or replace it soon. Breast implants aren’t guaranteed to last a lifetime. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration recommends routine MRI scans, starting three years after the implants are inserted, to look for any small ruptures in silicone breast implants.
Implant Leakage or Rupture
Significant force can cause a breast implant to rupture. This can result in immediate deflation of saline implants, with obvious effects on a woman’s appearance, or slow deflation of silicone implants.
Capsular Contracture
Sensitivity, infection, and bleeding that exacerbate internal scarring are among the known causes of capsular contracture, which presents overly firm and spherical breasts that look unnatural.
Implant Malposition
Poor placement of one or both breast implants can result in an unnatural appearance (too high, too close, too far apart, unequally placed).
Surgical Procedure for Breast Explantation or Replacement
Breast implant replacement or removal surgery (known as explantation), can be performed by Dr. Ganchi to change the size and shape of breast implants, to address implant leakage or rupture, to address capsular contracture, or for other reasons. Read on to learn what is involved in breast implant removal or revision surgery.
What Kind of Anesthesia Is Used?
Procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and are normally done under general anesthetic, but can be done with a local anesthesia and sedation. This decision will be made by the plastic surgeon in consultation with the patient. Dr. Ganchi will perform your breast implant revision or removal under either twilight anesthesia or local anesthesia combined with IV sedation.
Where & What Types of Incisions Are Made?
Removals are made possible by an incision in the inframammary fold or the periareolar incision.
How Long Does the Surgery Take?
A breast implant removal procedure can typically be performed in about one to three hours, depending on the removal technique, whether implant capsules need to be removed, and if a breast lift is to be done in the same surgery. After the procedure, the patient is taken to a recovery area for a short period of observation. A friend or relative must be available to take the patient home.
Healing Process for Breast Removal Surgery
How Will You Feel?
If Dr. Ganchi only removes your implants, the pain will be minimal. There will be some minor incision discomfort during the first few days following surgery. If he removes both the implants and capsules (scar tissue), the discomfort will be similar to the discomfort experienced after the initial augmentation procedure. However, the recovery phase for breast implant removal is normally far easier compared with the original recovery from breast enhancement surgery.
Post Op Recovery Time & Care
The incisions made during the breast implant removal procedure take around a week to heal. During this time the patient wears a wrap to help the healing process and assist in the avoidance of fluid accumulation in the area where the implant was located. Postoperative discomfort should be controlled with oral medication. Within one day you can shower and continue non-strenuous work. Strenuous work may resume after 3-6 weeks.
Results of Breast Implant Revision or Removal
Once the implants are removed, the breasts will initially look deflated, with a bit of a caved-in appearance. It takes about two to three weeks for the breasts to puff back out. The breasts will actually regain 10-15% of their volume once the central area fills in and the skin shrinks back. It’s important to remember that the way the breasts look immediately after removal is not the final look. If a breast lift is done at the same time as the implant removal the deflated or caved-in appearance should not occur and the breasts will be higher and perkier immediately after surgery. There will still be swelling that may take months to fully resolve. Scars from the surgery will heal and fade over time but frequently do not fully disappear.
Potential Risks & Side Effects of Breast Implant Removal or Revision
When performed by an experienced, Board Certified plastic surgeon, breast implant removal surgery is safe and has a high success rate. The risks involved are fewer than those connected with the initial breast implant surgery. Possible side effects include breast implant illness, infection, bleeding, hematoma, scarring, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and unsatisfactory results that may require yet another surgery. All risks are minimized by choosing the right plastic surgeon and by following all pre-op and post-op instructions exactly. The specific risks and the suitability of a breast augmentation revision procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation with Dr. Ganchi in his New Jersey office. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare.
What Are My Other Options?
Additional procedures that will enhance the result are a Breast Lift (Mastopexy).
Where will my breast implant revision be performed?
All breast implant removal and breast implant revision surgeries are performed at Ganchi Plastic Surgery Center. Our Plastic Surgery Center is located in Wayne, New Jersey, where we welcome local and out of town guests for consultations and the best breast implant removals in New Jersey.
Imagine a more beautiful you.
Important Note
We have found that many women who are considering breast implant removal are hesitant to get the procedure because they have been told by other patients or even doctors (including plastic surgeons) that their breasts will become droopy or otherwise unattractive afterwards. In the majority of cases, this is not true. Corrective procedures, such as a breast lift or other options are available to help your breasts keep an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Do not let this concern stop you from coming in for a consultation. Come in and discuss your situation and don’t make your decision based on what you’ve been told by others. Please give us a call at (973) 942-6600 or email us to schedule a consultation. Harvard trained, board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ganchi and staff lavish you with attention and make your experience enjoyable and comfortable.
