Breast Implant Removal: Explantation Only

Breast implants are not permanent medical devices.  In fact, it is suggested to remove or remove and replace your beast implants every 10 years.  There are many reasons women want to have their implants and breast implant capsules removed:

• Capsular Contracture
• Deflation/Rupture
• Illness
• Change in Body Image
• Breast Ptosis (sagging)
• Normal Aging Process

Capsulectomy

A breast implant will have a layer of scar tissue around the implant which is known as a capsule.  Breast implant capsules are graded on a scale which is known as the Baker scale

Baker Grade I	the breast is normally soft and appears natural in size and shape
Baker Grade II	the breast is a little firm, but appears normal
Baker Grade III	the breast is firm and appears abnormal
Baker Grade IV	the breast is hard, painful to the touch, and appears abnormal

 

Muscle Repair

 Most breast implants are placed below the chest muscle, pectoralis major.  The implant lifts the muscle off the chest wall.  With explantation, the muscle will be flat against the chest wall but not secured to it's insertion at the sternum or inframammory breast crease.  If not reattached the muscle can retract creating an animation or windowshading deformity when flexing the muscle.  By reattaching or repairing the muscle, animation deformity can be largely prevented.  This is necessary only in submuscular augmentation.

Anesthesia: General or local conscious sedation

In/Outpatient: Outpatient

Side Effects: Temporary swelling, mild bruising and some pain

Risks: Pain, bleeding, infection, asymmetry

Recovery: Back to work:  2 days to 1 week.  More strenuous activity:  1 - 3 weeks

Final Appearance:  2 - 3 months  for skin to retract and breasts to assume final shape

Duration of Results:  Implant removal is permanent.  Associated procedures such as breast lift or fat grafting will change over time.