Patients may decide to remove their implants for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, implants may no longer fit with one’s desired look or meet one’s aesthetic goals. There may be issues or complications with the implants, such as shifting (malposition) of the implants, firmness, or hardness (capsular contracture), or rupture. Other times patients may have symptoms related to their implants, such as pain or fatigue or symptoms they associate with breast implant illness or toxicity. Irrespective of the reasons, Dr. Li is an expert in breast implant removal surgery in Los Gatos and San Jose Bay Area California who can help you achieve your goals. At the time of your consultation, Dr. Li will analyze your breasts in detail and discuss which breast implant removal options are best for you.
DOCTOR'S CORNER
IMPLANT REMOVAL ALONE
In this procedure, the breast implants are removed without removal of the scar tissue layer (capsule) surrounding the implants. An incision is made (typically using the same one to place the implants to avoid a new scar), and the old implants are removed. This option may be the best for you if your implants do not have any functional issues or if you have adequate breast tissue even without the implants.
IMPLANT REMOVAL WITH TOTAL CAPSULECTOMY
In this procedure, the breast implants are removed with the scar tissue layer (capsule) surrounding it. This procedure will typically require larger incisions to remove everything. This option may be the best for you if your implants have capsular contracture or are ruptured.
IMPLANT REMOVAL WITH EN-BLOC CAPSULECTOMY
This is a special type of implant removal with capsulectomy in which everything is removed as one piece. This is a more technically difficult procedure. The advantage of this technique is that the implant never contacts normal surrounding tissues. Sometimes however, it may not be possible to remove everything as one piece, because the capsule can be very thin or scarred to surrounding tissues. As such, Dr. Li can never guarantee an en-bloc capsulectomy but always promises his best effort if this is the patient’s wish.
IMPLANT REMOVAL WITH BREAST LIFT
In this procedure, the breast implants are removed with or without the scar tissue layer (capsule), and the remaining breast tissue is then rearranged to lift the areolas and create more youthful, perky, and round breast shape. This option may be best for you if your breast tissues are very droopy. Often breast implants provide more upper pole volume and when they are removed, droopy breast tissues sag even lower. In rearranging your breast tissues, Dr. Li will often recommend the use of a supporting and bio-absorbable mesh that can serve as an internal bra to lift your tissues, offsetting the weight of your new breasts from your skin and scars. In more severe cases of droopiness, Dr. Li may sometimes recommend staging the procedures for safety purposes, in that the implant removal is done first and a period of healing is allowed before the breast lift is performed as a second procedure.
IMPLANT REMOVAL WITH FAT TRANSFER
In this procedure, the breast implants are removed with or without the scar tissue layer (capsule), and fat is liposuctioned from other parts of your body, such as the abdomen or lower back, processed and purified, then re-injected into the breasts. A portion of the injected fat survives and becomes new breast tissue adding volume to the breasts. This technique can be performed alone or in combination with a breast lift to create the ultimate rejuvenated result. If there is sufficient fat available, fat transfer can be repeated as a separate procedure to add more volume to the breasts.
KEY POINTS
SURGERY UNDER GENERAL ANESTHETIC
GO HOME THE SAME DAY (DAY SURGERY)
RETURN TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN 4 WEEKS
HIDE SCARS IN CAMOUFLAGED AREAS
REMOVE IMPLANTS
RESTORE VOLUME WITH ANCILLARY FAT TRANSFER
RESTORE SHAPE WITH ANCILLARY BREAST LIFT
AVOID IMPLANT MAINTENANCE
