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Why Undergo a Breast Implant Removal?

While breast implants typically provide long-lasting, beautiful results, it is sometimes necessary to remove implants. Dr. Paul Vitenas offers years of experience in this area, and may recommend breast implant removal to reverse a prior breast augmentation and change the shape or size of a woman’s breasts based on her personal cosmetic goals.

He may also recommend implant removal due to complications, including infection or capsular contracture. If you think you might be right for and are looking for breast implant removal in Houston, we invite you to reach out to us and set up your initial consultation today.

The Ideal Candidate

Ideal candidates for a breast implant removal in Houston will be physically healthy, at a stable weight, have realistic expectations, be a non-smoker, and experience dissatisfaction with the appearance or quality of their implants. Women with scar tissue, leaking or ruptured implants, breast pain, or dense breasts may be candidates for breast implant removal.

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When to Consider Implant Removal

Women dissatisfied with their breast implants can meet with Dr. Vitenas during a private consultation in the welcoming environment at Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery in Houston. Dr. Vitenas will carefully listen to your cosmetic goals, review your health history, and perform an examination before recommending the best surgical option for you, like implant removal with breast lift surgery for perky, smaller breasts.

You might be considering breast implant removal to:

  • Decrease the breast size
  • Improve breast shape
  • Reposition breast implants after pregnancy, weight loss, or weight gain
  • Reduce restrictions on sports and activities
  • Decrease the weight of the breasts
  • Experience greater freedom while sleeping

Medical Issues that Require Implant Removal

Women may also experience medical issues that require implants to be removed, including:

  • Significant capsular contracture (scar tissue)
  • Infection
  • Ruptured implant
  • Folding or deflation of a saline implant
  • Leaking silicone
  • Tension bands that create asymmetry
  • Displacement

Combining Breast Procedures

Dr. Vitenas offers women different breast implant removal options, including implant removal with a breast lift or breast reduction to remove excess skin, implant removal with fat transfer, or breast implant removal alone. Dr. Vitenas may also recommend removing an implant and replacing it with another silicone or saline implant.

Preparing for Your Procedure

Dr. Vitenas will review before and after photos with you during your consultation and will explain what you can expect during and after your surgery and recovery. If you have any questions, we recommend writing them down and bringing them with you to your consultation.

Your Preoperative Preparation

Before your surgery, Dr. Vitenas will provide you with a complete list of preparation tasks like:

  • Undergo lab testing and possible medical evaluation
  • Adjust certain medications
  • Stop smoking
  • Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, and herbal supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding

The Day of Your Surgery

Dr. Vitenas will customize your breast implant removal to match your specific goals and needs. The surgery will be performed using general anesthesia and typically takes between one to three hours to complete. You’ll be able to return home on the same day of the surgery.

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The Three Most Common Breast Implant Removal Techniques

Implant Removal

Dr. Vitenas creates incisions in the same location as the original breast implant surgery. If capsular contracture is involved, Dr. Vitenas removes the hardened tissue to accelerate healing.

Implant Removal with Breast Lift

Dr. Vitenas may perform a breast lift along with the implant removal to remove excess tissue and tighten the breast for improved support when the skin is stretched or saggy. Dr. Vitenas may also resize the areola to better suit the shape of the breast.

Implant Deflation

Breast implant deflation is typically performed under general anesthesia with implant replacement surgery or a breast lift.

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The Breast Implant Removal Process

Dr. Vitenas will create a thin incision along the fold beneath your breast before removing the old implant and the surrounding capsule if needed. He may also perform a breast lift or a reduction to eliminate unwanted skin or stretched tissue. 

The entire surgery typically takes one to three hours to complete. During your consultation, Dr. Vitenas will explain everything about your specific procedure, and will describe your customized treatment plan to you in detail.

Resting and Recovering

Patients typically wear a soft support bra for several weeks after surgery to help their breasts heal and reshape. Recovery after breast implant removal is usually more comfortable than the initial surgery, and most patients are able to return to work within five days. The swelling and bruising typically resolve quickly, and there is usually very little pain related to the procedure. Prescription medication can also make the process more comfortable.

Getting Back to Normal

The recovery period after breast implant removal varies from person to person. Dr. Vitenas will explain the details of your surgery and go over your expected recovery during your private consultation. Your discomfort should be minimal after the surgery, but if capsular contracture is involved, your recovery time will likely be a bit more prolonged and involve a somewhat higher degree of discomfort.

Dr. Vitenas will give you clear instructions that include avoiding certain activities, taking pain medication as prescribed, and wearing compression garments. You’ll also need to avoid exercising for the first six weeks after your surgery. You can expect to resume your typical routine after about six weeks, once your breasts have settled into their new position. Scarring will gradually fade as your breasts heal over the course of about three to four months after your implant removal surgery.

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Breast Implant Removal FAQ

How long does breast implant removal surgery take?

How dangerous is a breast implant rupture?

Why do some want their breast implants removed?

How much does breast implant removal cost?

Will insurance cover the cost of removing breast implants?

How long does breast implant removal surgery take?

Breast implant removal surgery typically takes one to three hours to complete, and is performed as an outpatient procedure. The operation may include a breast lift or breast reduction if you have excess, sagging skin. Dr. Vitenas will explain the entire process during your consultation, including details like the duration of your procedure, incision placement, and what kind of recovery experience you can expect.

How dangerous is a breast implant rupture?

Breast implant ruptures occur when a tear or hole causes the implant to leak. When saline solution leaks from an implant, the implant will lose its original size and shape and the breast will feel deflated. Occasionally, a woman will experience a decrease in breast size, hard lumps over the implant, an uneven appearance, tenderness, or pain.

The FDA does not associate breast implant ruptures with life-threatening illnesses or cancer. Saline solution is not considered harmful to the body.

Why do some want their breast implants removed?

Breast augmentation with implants provides women with fuller, larger, uplifted breasts. Sometimes women grow dissatisfied with the appearance of their breast implants as their lifestyle changes, and they rethink having larger breasts. Although rare, some women experience breast implant complications, such as a ruptured or leaking implant, asymmetry, or infection.

Dr. Vitenas helps each patient make personal decisions based on their individual goals. Depending on the size of the implant and possible skin laxity, a breast lift with implant removal may be needed to ensure perky, firm breasts after the procedure.

How much does breast implant removal cost?

The price of breast implant removal varies according to the patient's unique surgical plan, including breast reduction or a breast lift. The cost of breast implant removal alone is typically between $5,000 to $8,000, which covers surgical fees, facility fees and the anesthesiologist, along with all follow-up appointments.

Will insurance cover the cost of removing breast implants?

Most medical insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures or implant complications caused by previous cosmetic surgery. However, some companies will consider the removal of breast implants medically necessary when a patient experiences a ruptured silicone breast implant or has chronic breast pain.

The Experience and Expertise You Deserve

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Vitenas offers decades of experience and an impressively high level of expertise, meaning you can rest assured and start looking forward to incredible results that truly enhance your quality of life.

You’ll enjoy our purpose-built, state-of-the-art surgical facility, where we offer a comprehensive level of care that brings you the very best in each one of our patients. When you’re ready to learn more about what Dr. Vitenas and his team can do for you, reach out to us at our Houston location and set up your consultation today.

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