Breast Implant Removal
Breast implants can boost your confidence and self-esteem, making you feel beautiful and younger. However, if your goals change or you experience complications, implant removal is available.
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Mr Andrew Pieri - Updated December 9, 2024
- Created April 12, 2023
Breast Implant Removal Surgery
Breast implant removal is the process of removing implants from a previous breast augmentation, also known as breast enlargement surgery. While some women have their breasts enhanced using the fat transfer method, where fat is moved from one part of the body to another, most choose implants instead. Breast implants don’t last forever, and there are many reasons a woman might remove and replace their implants.
This procedure is prevalent among women who no longer wish to have breast implants and are looking to embrace their natural features. It can also be a viable option for women with aged implants requiring removal and replacement surgery to fix natural changes that occur over time. A new implant can be inserted to replace the old one, known as implant replacement, or else the surgery site is sewn up without any implants. The type of procedure chosen will vary depending on the desired results.
What Is Breast Implant Removal?
Breast implant removal, also termed explant surgery, is an operation to remove the implants, sometimes combined with a breast lift or immediate implant replacement. This operation is performed by Mr Pieri, a breast cancer and cosmetic surgeon in the UK, at his North East practices. During your face-to-face consultations, Mr Pieri will take time to understand your objectives and ensure you receive the best treatment and the results you expect.
Although they do not have an explicit expiry date, silicone and gel implants will not last forever. Therefore, it is likely that you will need to remove or replace your implants after approximately 10-15 years, sometimes 20 years. More often, when women choose to have revision surgery for implant replacement, the implant is fine, and it is their own tissue that has changed around the implant, such as natural breast tissue sagging or the development of scar tissue around the implant, causing capsular contracture.
In rare cases, you might need surgery to remove breast implants for medical reasons, but many women simply want replacement implants for cosmetic reasons, to improve body image and associated self-confidence and psychological benefits. So, you can use this opportunity to change your current implants to align with your current style or have them removed completely.
Implant Removal And Replacement Benefits
The benefits of breast implant removal and replacement surgery include:
- Comfort: Over time, your implants may have shifted or rotated, creating discomfort, pain, or other complications, such as capsular contracture (scar tissue formation around the implant), implant rupture, or implant displacement. By removing and replacing the implants, Mr Pieri can alleviate these issues, relieve pain and improve the overall health of your breasts.
- Cosmetic Appearance: You may feel your breast implants are too large, too small, or asymmetrical. Thus, removing and replacing your implants can allow for adjustments in their size, shape and projection. Over time, natural ageing will cause breast size or breast shape to change as the implants adjust, which can give you a deflated appearance. Implant removal and replacement can fix these issues.
- Body Confidence: Cosmetic and personal goals constantly change; therefore, this additional surgery is an option to alter your breasts to align with your aspirations. This transformation in your appearance will boost your confidence and self-esteem, giving you a natural result.
- High-Quality Implants: You may also be looking to upgrade your current implants, and implant replacement surgery provides the opportunity to do so. Many women choose to get other procedures simultaneously to achieve their desired result.
Reasons To Remove Or Replace Your Breast Implants
Some of the most common reasons why women come to Mr Pieri for breast implant removal surgery include:
Natural Body Changes
Age, weight loss/weight gain, pregnancy, breastfeeding and hormones can impact how your breasts look, even with implants. In addition, your skin’s elasticity will change over time and alter your results. This natural cosmetic change can make your breasts appear disproportionate to your body and no longer align with your vision.
Unhappy With Current Results
Following a previous surgery, you may not have been entirely happy with your results. For example, your implants could be too big or too small, impacting your day-to-day activities, or you may have experienced complications such as lateral displacement, breast pain, or changes to the nipple sensation. If your breast implants from your original surgery are causing pain or your breasts feel unusually hard, then it might be important to get them removed and replaced.
Preference Changes
Over time, beauty standards change, and what may have appealed to you in the past no longer applies. Women undergo natural changes in their thinking, and when this happens, you might regret getting large implants or choosing a particular look. If you had your original breast enlargement some years ago, then you might have come to re-evaluate your looks and decided that you want a better breast shape or a new look. Therefore, this surgery can alter your results to correspond with your preferences. Alternatively, you may not want implants at all, and you are looking to have them removed for a more natural appearance.
Concerns Regarding Implant Integrity
In 2010, silicone PIP implants were withdrawn from the UK as they had been manufactured using unapproved silicone gel and were 2 to 6 times more likely to split. This PIP scandal transformed the industry, and implant regulations are now extremely rigorous; however, if you are still worried, speak with Mr Pieri for expert advice. He provides comprehensive aftercare to all patients from his previous procedures, and he can also help if your breast augmentation was carried out by another surgeon.
Capsular Contracture
The body’s natural response to a foreign body is to create a thin capsule of scar tissue around the implant. This can progressively get thicker and contract, eventually raising the implant position on the chest wall and appearing distorted.
Implant Complications
In some cases, implants can rupture, deflate or fold, affecting the comfort and look of your breasts and implants. In addition, you may also experience implant displacement, leakage or infection. As a result, your implants should be removed for safety.
If you are concerned about the quality of your existing implants, your current breast implant position or are simply unhappy with how they look cosmetically, book your free consultation with Mr Pieri today.
Planning Your Breast Implant Removal Surgery
The surgical options available to you at Mr Pieri’s practice include:
Breast Implant Removal
During this procedure, Mr Pieri will remove your existing implants and close the incision. You can have further surgery in the future to add new implants or keep your current natural look.
Breast Implant Removal and Replacement (+/- Uplift)
This surgical method is also known as a breast re-augmentation or revision breast surgery, where your existing implants are removed and replaced with new implants. Your new implants can be the same size as the originals, or you can use Mr Pieri’s size guide to opt for bigger/smaller implants based on your preferences.Breast Implant Removal and Uplift
In cases where the breast tissue has drooped, this combination of procedures will remove your current implants whilst performing breast uplift surgery simultaneously, known as a mastopexy. This specialised technique will involve using your natural breast tissue to restore a more youthful, proportionate, and fuller shape.
Breast Capsulectomy
With this option, your surgeon will remove the protective scar tissue capsule surrounding the implant. During this capsulectomy procedure, you can choose whether the implants are removed or replaced with new ones.
Implant Removal Procedure
Mr Pieri will operate whilst you are under general anaesthesia, and this procedure will last between 1-3 hours. Although breast implant removal is performed as an outpatient procedure, you may be required to stay overnight in the hospital, depending on the complexity of the surgeries. Recuperating from implant removal is similar to recovering from breast augmentation surgery and will require the right post-surgery bra, or compression garment, but Mr Pieri will talk you through the exact stages of recovery and what you need to prepare before the procedure.
Preparation
In the evening before your surgery, it is recommended that you shower using antibacterial soap, focusing your attention on the underarms, chest, and abdomen areas.
To keep your skin clean before the procedure, it is also essential to avoid deodorants, perfumes, creams, and powders. For your safety, you are also advised against eating after midnight the night before and to stop drinking water two hours before the procedure.
Recovery
During your recovery, the first post-operative check-up is scheduled with the nurse one week after your surgery.
Mr Pieri will then organise post-procedure follow-ups two weeks and three to six months in the future. These regular visits ensure a safe recovery, with frequent dressing changes and progress check-ups.
TIME IN THEATRE
1-3 Hours
Hospital Stay
Day Case (0-1 Nights)
Return to Work
7 Days
Recovery Time
6 Weeks+
Post-Op Bra
6 Weeks
Breast Implant Removal FAQs
How often should I replace my breast implants?
Breast implants typically last 10-15 years; however, some patients can exceed this predictive timeframe. Although we estimate the longevity of implants, you do not need to routinely remove or replace them unless you suspect an issue, notice a change in their appearance or are trying to achieve a new cosmetic goal. Thus, aesthetics and health reasons are the main catalysts for breast implant replacement or removal procedures instead of the age of the implants and surgery itself.
Should saline implants be replaced?
Both silicone and saline implants can last up to 20 years. Some patients can keep their implants beyond the expected 20-year lifespan, with some women only requiring 1-2 breast implant removal and replacement surgeries in their lifetime. Please note that this will vary from individual to individual due to many external influences that could affect your health and implants.
Older implants can last over 20 years; however, the material can weaken, increasing your risk of experiencing a ruptured or leaking implant. Luckily, modern implant technology has progressed so much that implants are less likely to rupture and cause complications. As a result, the requirement to replace your implants is mainly determined by your ideal body goals in reference to natural events such as weight loss or weight gain, pregnancy and ageing.
Do saline and gel implants have a different shelf life?
Breast implants are designed to be durable, long-lasting and safe. For that reason, silicone, saline and gel implants are all estimated to last 10-20 years. Generally, how your body adapts to the implants will determine the lifespan, as opposed to the implants themselves failing.
What scars will I have after my implant removal?
The scar tissue surrounding the surgery site will differ depending on your chosen breast surgery. Generally, the same incision will be used as per your previous procedure for women looking for breast implant removal and replacement surgery. Mr Pieri will use this existing location, under the breast crease, to remove the old implants and replace them with a new one. Furthermore, breast implant removal without replacement surgery will follow the same procedure, minus the addition of the new implants.
Alternatively, other patients will opt for an implant removal and breast lift surgery simultaneously to reshape the natural breast tissue to better contour the body. This could result in new incisions around the nipple and towards the breast crease to achieve your desired results.
This removal and uplift procedure is very popular as the skin can sometimes stretch around your existing implants. Therefore, once the implant and capsules are removed, patients are left with an empty pocket of space and excess loose skin. Combining these surgeries ensures higher patient satisfaction, and a greater chance that the results will align with your cosmetic aspirations.
How much is breast implant removal surgery?
Breast implant removal in Newcastle is entirely bespoke to your requirements based on your preferences and cosmetic goals. In addition, Mr Pieri needs to complete an assessment and understand any existing breast complications to devise an accurate and fixed price.
To receive your breast implant removal, breast implant replacement or removal and breast uplift quotation, please book a consultation. Alternatively, read more about how much is a boob job.
Will the NHS remove breast implants?
As breast augmentation and implant removal are cosmetic procedures designed to help you achieve your breast preferences rather than to fix a health issue, these procedures are not usually carried out on the NHS. An exception would be if you had PIP implants fitted on the NHS to help with your self-esteem. Also, if your implant ruptures (although replacement or uplift will not be available on the NHS). Generally, breast implant removal is not carried out on the NHS, and you will need a private surgeon like Mr Pieri.
How long is recovery after breast implant removal?
Full recovery will take up to 6 weeks following your surgery, and you can return to work seven days after your treatment, avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. Between 4-6 weeks post-op, you can introduce more normal activities into your day-to-day schedule while still taking care during your recovery.
Initially, your breasts will appear swollen and feel tight across your chest, but this will subside during the first six weeks as your body heals. You will be required to wear a post-operative support bra to accelerate healing, reduce infection risk, and minimise swelling. Mr Pieri will also prescribe pain medication for relief and comfort during your recovery.
How to know if I have capsular contracture?
Capsular contracture is the name given to the formation of scar tissue (capsule) in response to foreign material in the body. Your body will produce excessive fibrosis, which is the hardening of various tissues, including collagen, beyond the regular protective layers. Over time, this protective layer will encapsulate the entire surface of your implants. Unfortunately, you may experience breast pain, firmness, tightness, and asymmetrical breasts or nipples.
Approximately 10% of all breast augmentation patients will experience capsular contracture, with 75% identifying it within the first two years when all scar tissue has healed. So, if you suspect you have capsular contracture, book a face-to-face consultation with Mr Pieri to discuss your breast implant removal and replacement options.
Will I feel better after having my breast implants removed?
If you’re experiencing chronic pain as a result of your implants, then removing them could be the ideal solution, as this procedure is a fantastic option for women suffering from complications with their existing breast implants. These issues could be medical and include the uneven appearance of your breasts, breast pain or soreness, deflated implant and visible wrinkling or rippling of the implant. Furthermore, some women may change their minds or aspire to have something different. Therefore, this surgical procedure can help fix any health issues you may be experiencing or as an option to reach your new goal physique, making you feel happier in your appearance.
What do breasts look like after implant removal if implants are not replaced?
After your implant removal surgery, your chest will look empty for a few days until your body adjusts and the tissue starts to reshape. Your breasts might look a little deflated and may sag or have excess skin around them, but a breast lift can fix this.
Book Your Breast Implant Removal Surgery
Mr Pieri is a specialist breast surgeon available for all breast procedures, including breast implant removals, implant replacements or complex revision surgeries.
So whether you are looking for enhanced cosmetic results or reconstructive surgery following implant issues or cancer treatments, Mr Pieri can talk you through the options available.
Mr Pieri is located at his Newcastle Upon Tyne practice at The Royal Victoria Infirmary; however, he is also available for consultations and surgeries across his other North East locations, including Washington and Gateshead.
To book your initial consultation or to ask a question, please complete this form, and Mr Pieri will be in touch.
