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 surgery is available.

Mr Andrew Pieri MBBS MRES FRCS
Mr Andrew Pieri MBBS MRES FRCS

Specialist cosmetic & cancer breast surgeon

Breast Implant Removal Surgery 

Breast implant removal surgery is the process of removing breast implants from a previous breast augmentation, breast reconstruction or breast enlargement surgery. This procedure is prevalent among women who no longer wish to have breast implants, looking to embrace their natural features. It can also be a viable option for women with aged implants requiring removal and replacement surgery.

What Is Breast Implant Removal? 

Breast implant removal, also termed explant surgery, is an operation to remove the implants, sometimes combined with a breast uplift, or to provide an implant replacement. This operation is performed by Mr Pieri, a cosmetic surgeon in the UK, at his Newcastle and North East practices. During your face-to-face consultations, Mr Pieri will take time to understand your objectives to ensure you receive the best treatment with your desired results.

 

Although breast implants do not have an 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. In addition, modern implant technology yields unlimited potential, allowing you to achieve desired texture, shape and firmness, which wasn’t available during an initial breast augmentation. So, you can use this opportunity to change your current implants to align with your current style or have them removed completely.

Sizing up for breast implant removal surgery
Breast implant removed from patient by Mr Pieri

Benefits of Implant Removal

The benefits of breast implant removal and replacement surgery include: 

 

  • Comfort: Over time, your breast implants may cause 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.   
  • Body Confidence: Cosmetic and personal goals constantly change; therefore, this 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. 
  • High-Quality Implants: You may also be looking to upgrade your current breast implants, and implant replacement surgery provides the opportunity to do so.  
Benefits of breast implant removal surgery

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. 

Preference Changes 

Furthermore, beauty standards change, and what may have appealed to you in the past no longer applies. 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 the 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.

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 breast implants and close the incision. ​

Breast Implant Removal and Replacement

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, or you can use Mr Pieri’s size guide to opt for bigger/smaller implants based on your preferences.

Breast Implant Removal and Lift

In cases where the breast tissue has drooped, this combination procedure will remove your current breast implants whilst performing breast uplift surgery simultaneously, known as a mastopexy. This specialised technique will utilise your natural breast tissue to restore a more youthful, proportionate, and fuller shape. 

Breast Capsulectomy

With this option, Mr Pieri 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, but Mr Pieri will talk you through the exact stages of recovery and what you need to prepare. 

Preparation

In the evening before your surgery, it is recommended to shower using antibacterial soap, focusing your attention on the underarms, chest, breasts and abdomen areas. It is also essential to avoid deodorants, perfumes, creams and powders to keep your skin clean before the procedure. For your safety, you are also advised against eating after midnight the night before and to stop drinking water 2 hours before surgery. 

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

frequently asked questions

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 surgery instead of the age of the implants and surgery itself.

Both silicone and saline implants can last up to 20 years. In addition, patients can go beyond the expected 20-year lifespan, with some women only requiring 1-2 breast implant replacement surgeries in their lifetime. Please note that this will vary from individual to individual due to many external influences that could affect your breasts.

 

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/weight gain, pregnancy and ageing.

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. 

Your scarring 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 ones. 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 with more aligned results to your cosmetic aspirations. 

Breast implant removal surgery 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.

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.  

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 breast 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. 

Breast implant removal surgery is a fantastic option for women suffering from complications with their existing breast implants. These issues could 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. 

After your implant removal surgery, your breasts 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, but a breast lift can fix this. 

Book Your Newcastle Breast Implant Removal Surgery

Mr Pieri is a specialist breast surgeon available for all breast procedures, including breast implant removals, implant replacements or complex revisional 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. Other locations include Washington, Gateshead, Durham, Darlington and Carlisle.

 

To book your implant removal consultation or to ask a question, please complete this form, and Mr Pieri will be in touch.

 

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