Some patients grow dissatisfied with their breast augmentation results for a variety of reasons. They may wish to remove the implants for health reasons, or they may simply have tired of an enhanced aesthetic and wish to return to their original cup size. Breast implant removal may also precede breast implant replacement, or implant exchange.
Age of the implant
Most implants last about 10 to 15 years, after which they are at risk of rupturing or have scar tissue around them. However, if you do not experience any problems with implants at 10-15 years, they do not need to be automatically removed or replaced.
Change in implant size
As time passes, a woman may decide she wants either smaller or larger breasts, and thus will pursue implant removal or implant exchange.
Drooping breasts
As one ages and succumbs to the pull of gravity, the breasts may begin to sag on top of the implant. In this case, a breast lift can be performed to help elevate and rejuvenate the breasts. This is often done with either implant removal or exchange.
Malpositioning/poor contour
Over time, the breast implants may migrate downwards or upwards – causing discomfort and a poor aesthetic appearance. In these cases, breast implant removal with or without replacement will be required in order to correct the problem.
Capsular contracture
Capsular contracture is a common breast implant complication that occurs when the tissue around the implant hardens. This may cause discomfort and a compromised appearance. The scar tissue is removed. The implant is either removed or exchanged.
“Dr. Lee and her staff were great! From my first visit to my follow-up after surgery, I knew I had made the right decision. Dr. Lee is extremely professional and thoroughly explained my options and all the steps in the process. She does not rush through consultation and made me feel very at ease and confident in my decision. I am very pleased with the whole experience and would recommend her to anyone.”
Breast implant illness is a term used by women to describe a group of symptoms ranging from fatigue, brain fog, rashes and more. These symptoms are attributed to the body’s reaction to the implant.
Today, this is a hotly contested and controversial topic because the vast majority of large-scale scientific studies show that breast implants are safe. However, two recent studies show a possible connection between silicone breast implants and autoimmune diseases.
Currently, the consensus from the FDA and the scientific community is that breast implants are safe devices. However, at PERK we understand that breast implants are not tolerated by everyone, and we take problems with breast implants very seriously. Safety will always come first. This is also one of the reasons why women choose to remove their implants.
