Breast Implant Removal

IN LONG BEACH, CA AND SERVING LA, ORANGE COUNTY AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

As time passes, our attitudes about fashion, health, and fitness inevitably change. Today, some women who once desired augmented breasts find themselves searching for a different aesthetic a few years out from their initial surgery.

Whatever the reason you find yourself wondering about breast implant removal in Long Beach, rest assured an experienced breast surgeon at The Waltzman Institute Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics can help. We work closely with you to determine whether you will follow your era of implants with fat-transfer breast augmentation, a trim breast lift, or an exchange for different, more sophisticated implants.

Learn More About Breast Implant Removal

Your Consultation for Breast Implant Removal

During your consultation with Dr. Waltzman, you will discuss why you want the procedure and what you hope to achieve from it. Understanding your ideals and motivation helps Dr. Waltzman provide the best possible service to you. You will then set a date for your procedure and should begin to prepare for the surgery and recovery.

How Does Breast Implant Removal Work?

Depending on the reason for breast implant removal in Long Beach, one of two techniques will be used—simple removal or en bloc removal.

Simple Breast Implant Removal

In the cases where patients want implants removed only due to a change in their lifestyle or attitude (not a medical issue), a simple breast implant removal suffices. In these cases, no complications with the implant or the surrounding tissue are present. The surgeon simply re-opens the initial incisions and removes only the implant.

En Bloc Breast Implant Removal

Not all breast implant removals are simple, however. Sometimes, after breast augmentation, the body surrounds the implant with tissue. This response occurs with all devices inserted into the body – pacemakers, artificial joints, and more. These tissues cause no problems in the majority of cases.

However, sometimes, with breast augmentation, the tissues accumulating around the implant build to the point that they encapsulate it and even put pressure on it. This pressure causes rippling and hardening and is called “capsular contracture.” Sometimes, the pressure is enough to rupture the implant. Silicone can come into contact with the capsule, taking with it “biofilm,” skin cells, proteins, and bacteria that can trigger the immune system to cause swelling in the area.

With en bloc implant removal, surgeons are careful to keep the capsule surrounding the implant intact so no biofilm can escape. The surgeon removes the implant and capsule together—en bloc means “as a whole.”

With traditional breast implant removal, the surgeon cuts into the capsule, removes the implant and then removes as much of the capsule afterward. When the capsule is thin, removing it all is almost impossible. The body can absorb some of the remaining tissue.

Before The Surgery

On the day of your breast implant removal surgery, a friend or family member will need to drive you to and from our Long Beach clinic, as the procedure requires general anesthesia.

During The Surgery

Breast implant removal is done outpatient using general anesthesia. To minimize scarring, Dr. Waltzman will cut along the scars from your first procedure. He will then remove the implant and any damaged tissue.

Some patients will require a temporary drain to be placed in the breast so as to release excess fluid as the body heals from the procedure.

After The Surgery

Upon completion of the surgery, you will be monitored in-house before being released from the center’s care. You will then be driven home by your driver, where you’ll begin following Dr. Waltzman’s strict guidelines for recovery. These will include (but are not limited to):

  • Properly maintaining the incisions and protecting your breasts as they heal
  • Complete rest and relaxation for the first week following surgery
  • Reduced activity, with no strenuous exercise, for the four weeks after surgery
  • Staying properly hydrated and eating a clean, healthy diet

Am I a Candidate for Breast Implant Removal?

Women today are seeking breast implant removal in the South Bay for three reasons: lifestyle changes, aesthetic changes, and health precautions.

Common Lifestyle Changes Behind Breast Implant Removal Include:

  • the start of a more active lifestyle
  • the adoption of a healthy outlook that doesn’t involve implants

Aesthetic Concerns Leading To Breast Implant Removal Include:

  • displacement of the original implant, leading to a skewed or non-symmetrical appearance
  • patient gain or loss of weight, causing fluctuations that unbalance the implants and the body

Medical Reasons Driving Breast Implant Removal May Include:

  • infection
  • breast cancer
  • leakage of an implant
  • pain or illness associated with the implants
  • capsular contracture – when the scar tissue surrounding the implant thickens and hardens
  • in some highly unlikely cases, the formation of the rare BIA-ALCL lymphoma has been associated with the Allergan BioCell textured implant.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, it is worth speaking to a plastic surgeon in Long Beach to explore your options.

What Results Can I Expect from Breast Implant Removal?

Many factors can alter the appearance of your breast after having a breast implant removal, such as the duration of time that you had the existing implants, fluctuation in weight, nursing, and laxity of skin before and after implants.

Most patients will likely experience somewhat smaller, “deflated” breasts after having implants removed. The extent of this depends on the size of your implants, your age, skin stretch, and body fat percentage. Nonetheless, if you choose to have your breast implants removed and are unhappy with your appearance, you can opt for a follow-up surgery to correct this issue.

Most women who opt for breast implant removal also choose complementary procedures to counter the flattening of their breasts after having implants taken out. Many select a breast lift, which repositions the breasts higher on the chest and makes the areolas and nipples point forward in a youthful, aesthetically pleasing position.

Others may choose breast fat transfer, which restores some size to the breasts without placing any foreign objects in the body. This solution is excellent for those looking to remove their implants but maintain some degree of size in their bust.

Alternatively, some women choose to have their implants replaced after removal, either going larger or smaller, to achieve their desired aesthetic. Which solution is best depends on the individual, according to aesthetic goals, implant size, and age.

What is Recovery Like After Breast Implant Removal?

Most patients are able to return to mild activities or a desk setting in about 4-5 days post-operatively. You may experience some tenderness at the incision site, but the pain is manageable. The use of drains depends on the patient and the plastic surgeon’s assessment during the procedure.

In both simple and en bloc removals, the procedure and recovery process will be very similar to your original breast augmentation.

BIA-ALCL is lymphoma that has been linked only with the Allergan brand BioCell textured breast implants. BIA-ALCL is not cancer, but the lymphoma can be threatening and painful. In 2019, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recalled Allergan’s textured implants. However, they also issued the following information:

  • If confirmed, BIA-ALCL is successfully treated with en bloc removal of the implants and surrounding tissue
  • The vast majority of implants are non-textured and, as such, do not pose a risk of developing BIA-ALCL
  • Even in textured implant cases, BIA-ALCL is extremely rare, occurring in roughly 1 in 30,000 patients

Why Choose Dr. Waltzman for Your Breast Implant Removal?

As a breast implant specialist, Dr. Waltzman has the skill and experience to ensure your best results. Breast implant removal can be a complex procedure, especially with complications such as scar tissue formation, making it essential to choose a surgeon you can trust. At the Waltzman Institute, you will benefit from a team committed to your safety and successful results.

Take the Next Step

When you are ready to consider breast implant removal, reach out to The Waltzman Institute Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics at (562) 448-6100 to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about our many aesthetic enhancement options.

We are located in Long Beach and serve patients in LA county, Orange County, the South Bay and all of Southern California. You’ll find that we are fully committed to the best possible experience and outcomes for all of our patients!

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