Breast Implant Removal/Explant, Revisions & Corrective Surgery

Breast Implant Removal or Revision Surgery Gold Coast Queensland Dr Zackariah Clement

Every woman has her own reasons for considering breast implant removal or revision surgery. Your needs may have changed since your previous breast augmentation or you may need revision surgery following an implant-based breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. Whatever your unique situation, current needs or desire to change your breasts, Dr Clement can help.

Why do you need to have your breast implants removed or revised?

While every patient’s needs are unique, some of the most common reasons women come to see Dr Clement about breast implant removal (also known as breast ‘explant’ surgery) or revision include when:

  • Your breast implant may have ruptured or deflated

  • Your breast implant capsule has contracted, causing breasts to become painful, asymmetrical or distorted

  • Your breast implant may be resting in the wrong position – too high, too low (double bubble or bottoming out), too far apart (wide cleavage) or too close together

  • Your breast implant is causing surface rippling

  • You have surgical scarring

  • Your breast breast or nipple is drooping

  • Your breast implant surgery was part of implant-based breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery

  • You have reason to suspect Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)

  • You are experiencing symptoms associated with breast implant illness

  • You are otherwise unhappy with the look, size, type or feel and overall cosmetic result of your breast implants

  • You have made a personal decision not to have breast implants anymore

In all cases, breast implants are not lifetime devices and need to be replaced after 10 to 15 years and in some women earlier.

What’s involved in breast implant removal?

Surgery can be performed to remove breast implants and its overlying capsule. When it is safe and appropriate, Dr Clement may perform an intact En Bloc capsulectomy to remove the entire capsule – where the implant stays within the capsule during the entire procedure.

If your implants have leaked from their capsule, the breast tissue affected by the silicone can form abnormal lumps. Silicone can also travel to your lymph glands causing swelling, pain and other breast implant illness symptoms. If it is safe, Dr Clement can remove these lumps and lymph glands to get as much silicone out of your breast and body as possible, which can improve your general health. It also helps with your future breast scans and breast cancer screening.

Surgical options after implant removal/Explant or revision surgery

After your implants are removed, the tissue and skin of the breast will have stretched and become droopy.  

Most women choose to have the following revision surgery to improve the appearance of their breasts:

  • Explant and breast lift

  • Explant, breast lift and fat transfer

  • Explant and fat transfer

  • New breast implants (revision augmentation)

  • Explant, replacement and breast lift (Revision augmentation mastopexy)

Fat Transfer to Breast

Fat transfer to the breast, also known as autologous fat grafting, is a procedure where a larger and more natural shaped breasts can be achieved using your own fat.

After removal of your breast implants, liposuction can be performed in areas such as abdomen, hips and thighs to remove excess fat. The harvested fat is cleaned, filtered and carefully transferred into the breasts. Fat transfer can be done at the time of your explant surgery or as a delayed procedure at a later stage. It also has the added benefit of getting rid of excess fat in those areas, which sometimes can be difficult to lose even with diet and exercise.

New breast implants (revision augmentation)

If you are having a new breast implant, Dr Clement will remove previous implants and capsules and insert new implants (also known as revision augmentation). In most cases, the breast tissue will have stretched over time and the nipple may be pointing downwards. You may also need a breast lift to lift the breast tissue and nipple to the desired position and achieve a good cosmetic outcome. 

Breast lift (mastopexy)

After removing implants, the breast tissue and skin are often over-stretched. The breast will appear droopy and flat, with the nipple sitting at the bottom of the breast, pointing downwards. In these cases, a breast lift (mastopexy) to remove and tighten excess skin over the breast tissue is recommended. The breast tissue can be moulded and positioned to improve the shape and size, and help you look and feel better about your breasts.  

Removal, replacement and breast lift (revision augmentation mastopexy)

Reconstructive surgery combines all three surgical options – removal, replacement and a breast lift. During this surgery, Dr Clement will remove previous implants and capsules and insert new ones before removing excess skin and lifting the breast tissue and nipple. This procedure does require a larger scar (Anchor incision) to lift the breast tissue and change position of the nipple to give you a better cosmetic outcome.

Dr Clement will discuss the risks and benefits of each surgical option during your consultation to help guide you towards the right surgery for you.

Sources: