One of the implications of having a breast implants is that at some point they may need to be replaced or removed altogether.
There are a number of reasons for this including capsular contracture (scar tissue around the implant), visual changes to the appearance like rippling and mechanical failure of the implant.
For some, the capsule can cause some discomfort and other symptoms so some people ask for removal for physical reasons too. For patients with symptoms of breast implant illness, implant removal may be requested, which may be combined with a capsulectomy called en-bloc resection.
In the initial consultation, my objective is to understand your motivations, reservations and expectations. I will enquire about your medical history and will complete an examination. There are a number of choices to be made: whether to remove the implant together with the capsule (the scar tissue around the implant); whether to replace the implant and if so with what size of implant. Finally some patient might benefit from an uplift at this time also. It is also possible to transfer fat to the breasts to increase the volume following implant removal and reshaping.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1-2 hours under General Anaesthetic
Most patients will be day cases though some patients will stay have an overnight hospital stay in order that we can monitor initial recovery.
Follow up appointments
One week after surgery, we will check recovery and remove the dressing.
Three further follow up appointments will be scheduled for the next 6 months.
7-14 days
It is likely that you will still have slight bruising and swelling at this stage. We will advise on wearing a non-underwired bra over the dressing.
2-6 weeks
It is important to minimise the risk of damage whilst it is healing, but you can generally reintroduce gentle exercise after 6 weeks of recovery.
A key outcome of our consultation is that I understand your expectations and you understand the risks.
Our consultation will establish the aims of your surgery: what it can and what it can’t achieve.
We will then discuss what will happen before, during and after your operation, what you will experience and the impact on your daily life during the recovery period.
I will describe the effects of surgery including some of the unavoidable consequences, such as the scar and areas which may become numb. I will illustrate these with photos and provide written information.
I will explain the risks of surgery such as bleeding, infection and wound healing problems and how to mitigate against them. I will also advise you about the risks from the anaesthetic such as a DVT (venous blood clot in the legs) and how we reduce these risks.
The consultation is a bespoke interaction between us to help you reach a considered and informed decision.
