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Breast Implant Removal

Here at Ohio Plastic Surgery Specialists it is important that our patients are informed. If you have decided to have a breast augmentation or currently have breast implants, you might be a little curious about the removal process. That is why we chose this topic for our blog. Breast augmentation is one of the safest aesthetic surgery operations with one of the highest satisfaction rates. As with any surgery, there are risks, but our board certified plastic surgeons go above and beyond to provide our patients with the pre-opt and post opt instructions to avoid any complications.

Unfortunately, none of the different implant choices are designed to last forever. There are a few different factors that determine how long your implant will last such as age and possible weight gain, but you should definitely plan to replace your implants at some point.

Why do implants fail? Many don’t. Those that rupture or leak, do so because they develop a tear or hole. This can be from injury to the shell (such as trauma to your chest) or fatigue of the shell. This is where the difference between saline and silicone implants are noticeable. Saline implants will deflate and your breast will begin to lose volume. It may take a few days or a few weeks, depending on the size of the implant and the leak. Silicone implants are more difficult to determine if there is a leak. This is because silicone gel will be captured within the capsule. Mannograms and ultrasound of the breast and implants can help. The best way to tell if there is a leak or not is to schedule an appointment and we can help determine if there is a leak and the next steps.

Saline implants are just removed and replaced. Silicone implants are more of an operation to determine the damage and the best steps forward.

Some women decide it is time to have them replaced because they want smaller implants, as their breasts have gotten larger with premenopausal changes. The larger augmented breasts can cause the same side effects as regular breasts and lead to back, shoulder or neck pain. Some women have decided their breasts have begun to sag, due to gravity and weight of the implant so they opt to go to a smaller size and/or have a lift.

When considering a breast augmentation, deciding on what type of implant you want is important. Learn more about the different implant options herbreast ae!