Breast Implant Removal

Breast Implant Removal Philadelphia, PA | Dr. Scott Chapin

Breast augmentation is a transformative procedure with a high satisfaction rate, but even if you care for implants well, they aren’t guaranteed—or intended—to last forever. There are certain situations where a patient may need or want to have them taken out. Patients may choose to have breast implant removal surgery at the Philadelphia area’s Chapin Aesthetics for several reasons, including a desire for an aesthetic change or to address a complication.

Breast implants are reliable, sturdy devices that can potentially last for decades. However, risk of rupture increases by one percent each year after an augmentation procedure, meaning that older implants have a higher risk of complications. A range of factors—including lifestyle and implant type—can impact the longevity of results.

Am I A Candidate For Breast Implant Removal?

Patients who are in a good state of physical health, are at a stable weight, maintain realistic expectations, and are non-smokers may be eligible for breast implant removal. The surgery is customized based on the needs of each patient. Patients may choose to have breast implant removal surgery if they dislike the appearance or heaviness of their implants, if their implants are getting in the way of their lifestyle, if they’re experiencing discomfort or pain, if they’re experiencing tightening or hardening due to capsular contracture, if there has been shifting or movement of one of or both implants, or if they have found a rupture or a leak in their implants.

Patients may also decide to have breast implant removal surgery because of calcium buildup around an implant or other medical issues. Sometimes changes to the size, shape, or weight of the breasts due to age, pregnancy, or breastfeeding may change the way the implants impact the breasts. This can prompt some patients to consider breast implant removal. Alternatively, some patients may simply no longer want to have implants or want a different size or shape because their cosmetic goals, tastes, or personal style may have changed.

What Are The Benefits Of Breast Implant Removal?

While implants are typically safe cosmetic devices, it’s sometimes medically necessary to have breast implant removal or replacement.

There are many potential benefits associated with breast implant removal for some patients, including the fact that patients may get clearer mammogram results after implants are removed, there is rapid relief from pain caused by capsular contracture or large implants, and there is no longer a risk of implant rupture after breast implant removal.

How Do I Prepare For Breast Implant Removal?

Getting ready in advance of breast implant removal surgery will allow you to have reasonable expectations and a smoother recovery after the procedure. During the consultation for breast implant removal, Dr. Scott Chapin will discuss various details with you, including your surgical goals, your general health status, any medical conditions, allergies, and medical treatments you have had, current medications or supplements you are taking, and any previous surgeries you have had. He will also talk to you about your goals and preferences, discuss various options for breast implant removal, and help you decide what is best for you.

Patients who are having breast implant removal may need to have lab testing or a medical evaluation, as well as quit smoking and avoid taking blood thinners or other medications that increase bleeding—as necessary, of course—in preparation for the surgery.

Many people also choose to have a “preview deflation.” This is helpful for anyone who has had saline implants for a long time and is unsure whether or not to replace them. It also helps Dr. Chapin to precisely determine whether or not a breast lift procedure will be necessary after the breast implant removal. This preview procedure is painless, can be performed in the office, and takes just 15 to 20 minutes.

Comprehensive Care
Superior Results

Dr. Scott D. Chapin is a highly specialized, board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced training in breast and aesthetic surgery. His extensive experience and expertise in the aesthetics industry deliver superior results that help patients achieve their aesthetic goals. 

What Happens During Breast Implant Removal?

Breast implant removal is typically performed with the patient under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation to reduce sensation during the surgery. Once an incision site is chosen in a specific area—such as surrounding the areola or below the breast fold to allow access the current implant—the skin is cleaned to lower risk of infection and the surgical sites are prepared.

Various techniques are then used to remove the implant, as well as some or all of the breast capsule if necessary. Saline implants can very often be removed in the office setting through a small incision. Many patients choose this option due to the lower cost versus having them removed in an operating room.

As your skin stretches to accommodate breast implants after they are first inserted, patients often worry about whether they will have sagging or misshapen breasts after breast implant removal. If this is one of your concerns, you can talk to Dr. Chapin about combining your breast implant removal with a breast implant exchange or breast lift to remove the redundant skin, re-shape and tighten the remaining tissue, and reposition the nipple and areola, resulting in perkier and more youthful-looking breasts.

What Can I Expect During Breast Implant Removal Surgery?

Your breast implant removal will usually be performed at a Bucks County or Montgomery County AAAA-certified facility, or in the Chapin Aesthetics office. Dr. Chapin and his team will meet with you on the day to go over everything involved in the surgery, and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about this surgery.

Dr. Chapin and his team are committed to providing the highest level of care and patient comfort. No matter where your procedure happens, you should arrange for someone to drive you to and from breast implant removal surgery and stay with you overnight after you get home.

Breast Implant Removal Surgery Recovery

Dr. Chapin will provide at-home aftercare instructions for each patient before they leave after this breast surgery. It’s important to follow these guidelines and get as much rest as you can during recovery. He will advise you on what to expect during recovery after breast implant removal, caring for incision sites and drains, pain management, specific concerns to be aware of, when you’ll be able to safely resume activities, when to follow up with him, which medicines you should take, and other details.

Breast implant removal recovery is usually a few days at best, as the removal itself is not usually painful. Be aware that healing time varies from patient to patient. Some patients will have soreness for a few weeks if scar tissue (or a capsule) is removed. If the implants are removed and new ones aren’t added, the breasts can return to their pre-augmentation condition, especially if the patient is younger and the skin is not dramatically stretched.

For several weeks after breast implant removal, patients might be asked to wear a support bra or compression garment to keep swelling down. Patients will need to avoid driving for the first two weeks and also avoid strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting. It will be difficult to move your arms and upper body normally. If new implants were inserted, the recovery can be expected to progress in much the same way as the initial augmentation procedure.

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Choose Dr. Chapin as Your Breast Impamnt Removal Provider

With over 27 years of plastic surgery experience, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Scott D. Chapin is nationally recognized for his breast surgery experience, exclusive cutting-edge techniques, and unparalleled patient outcomes. By blending medical science, artistry, and humanity in every procedure he performs, Dr. Chapin proves time and again that he is one of the best breast surgeons in Pennsylvania and beyond. 

At Chapin Aesthetics, Dr. Chapin and his staff are in the business of making people feel better about themselves. With a comforting environment that puts patients at ease and excellent results that speak for themselves, Dr. Chapin and his staff ensure comfort, safety, efficiency, and superior results in all aspects of your cosmetic surgery journey. Learn more about breast impant removal in Pennsylvania by scheduling your consultation with Dr. Scott Chapin by calling (267) 880-0810 or completing our online form today.