Many women come to Dr. Merriman for breast implant removal. The reasons for removing implants vary, and include:

Implant rupture
Implants too large
Implants too small
Breast asymmetry
Capsular contracture
Older implants
Rippling
Breasts sitting unevenly on chest
A wish to return to natural breast size
Concerns about textured implants and the risk of BIA-ALCL

What is the procedure and recovery for implant removal?

When implants must be removed, the incisions are usually placed in the same location as the incisions from the original augmentation. Every breast implant removal surgery is custom-tailored to match the individual needs of the woman. Dr. Merriman is recognized as being among the most talented breast surgeons in the region and can be trusted to perform your surgery correctly, and with meticulous care to speed healing and limit scarring.

What are my options after removal?

Some women make the decision to return to their natural breast size. Depending upon the condition of the skin and breast tissue, a breast lift may be required so your breasts look round and youthful. You may choose to have your implants replaced if you were unhappy with size or appearance, or you experienced an implant rupture or complication. A highly respected, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Merriman is highly trained so you can trust her to perform your implant removal correctly.

How long do breast implants last?

Breast implants come with a 10-year warranty but may last far longer. If you have had implants in place for years, ensure you have them checked each year. While there is no need to replace implants at the ten-year mark, testing will reveal if the implant has ruptured. Silicone implants can have what is termed a “silent rupture,” which should be addressed immediately.

Breast lift after implant removal — will I need it?

Also called a “mastopexy,” a breast lift does not change breast size but restores a youthful, plump, rounded shape and location on the chest. After implant removal, some women will have a more attractive result by undergoing a breast lift.

What is a fat graft?

Natural fat grafting can subtly increase breast volume. Using gentle liposuction, fat is harvested from tummy, thighs, or buttocks, then purified and injected into the breasts. This procedure can increase breast volume by about one cup size, or natural fat can be added around the implant for a smoother, more natural look. Rejection or side effects are virtually nonexistent: the fat is your own, and your body recognizes your own cells.

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Textured implant removal

Recently the FDA has issued a recall on Allergen textured implants, due to an increased risk of a rare cancer, called BIA-ALCL. This cancer is usually completely treatable simply by removing the textured implants. It is not completely clear why textured implants have proven to have a higher risk (although very low), but it is believed that the textured surface leads to ongoing inflammation which can lead to the development of this cancer. If you have concerns about the health risks of textured surface breast implants, Dr. Merriman can remove them and replace them with smooth implants, for your health and peace of mind.

A Word From Dr. Merriman

Breast Implant Removal

There are several reasons why you may want to remove your implants and not have them replaced. If they were placed when you were younger and then you gained a significant amount of weight, your natural breasts can become larger and the implants can make you too large and give you a matronly appearance. In this case, the implants can be removed as a single procedure, or a lift can be done as well to improve the shape of the breasts at the same time.

Some women with older implants may have a ruptured implant and/or hardening of the scar tissue (capsule) around the implant. If this is the case, the implants can be removed and replaced with new implants, or just removed.

Some women feel that their implants are ruining their health. There are no studies that demonstrate a connection between either type of breast implant and systemic (body-wide) disease. There are several that demonstrate that there is not a connection. There are however women who have what they consider autoimmune symptoms that improve with implant removal. It is possible a small percentage of women are sensitive to the solid silicone implant shell. It would have to be the solid silicone shell as both saline and silicone gel implants have been used when Breast Implant Illness is considered to be an issue. Or women could get better after removal because of a placebo effect, which is a very powerful effect in many areas of medicine.

When implants have been in for a while, it is a good idea to remove the capsule or as much capsule possible without causing damage to surrounding structures. Some capsules are thickened and even calcified and if left can cause problems with mammograms or even be felt. If left behind they can also fill with fluid (seroma).

If the implant is an old ruptured gel implant, I try to remove it “en bloc” (capsule and implant together), to avoid spilling the gel into the operative site. It is just neater that way. If a patient wants implants out because they feel they are harming their health, and they request an en bloc removal, I will try to do that. It is not possible in all cases so that safely. Some capsules are thin and filmy and almost impossible to separate from the surrounding tissue. These are also unlikely to be causing problems. In these cases, the remaining capsule can be curetted or cauterized to reduce the chance of forming a seroma.

So, if your implants are old, or they make you look too matronly or you are concerned that they are affecting your health, implants can be removed or removed and replaced. And both of these can usually be safely combined with a breast lift if needed. Fat grafting can also be used to improve the size and shape after implant removal if you want more volume, but want to avoid an implant. Fat grafting cannot provide as much volume as implants, but it is a powerful technique in mild volume increase and shaping.

You will be treated with professionalism and kindness.

Meet with us and discover a clinic where we focus on creating natural-looking results in every procedure.

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