Breast Implant Removal | Alexandria
Restore Your Breasts
If you need to reverse your breast augmentation, a breast implant removal at Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery can help.
Perhaps you’re suffering from back, neck, or shoulder pain, you’ve reconsidered your initial reasons for the procedure, or you’re experiencing complications such as capsular contraction — whatever your reasons, Dr. Eric Desman can help you get the results you need for your health and lifestyle.
What Is Breast Implant Removal?
Breast implant removal, also called explantation, is a relatively straightforward procedure that reverses a breast augmentation procedure. In some cases, a patient may choose to combine an implant removal with a breast lift to create a perkier and more youthful chest.
Many women with implants will eventually need a revision procedure. Though modern implants are designed to be highly durable, they are not necessarily lifetime devices.
The FDA estimates the longer you have breast implants, the more likely you will need to get them removed or replaced. Some women decide to get their breast implants surgically removed because they no longer want to deal with the expense or inconvenience of having them replaced periodically.
Dr. Desman may recommend the explant procedure if you develop a rupture, which can occur with both saline and silicone implants. Dr. Desman may also suggest removing your breast implants if you have developed issues such as an infection, a change in nipple sensation, or capsular contraction, a painful condition where scar tissue hardens around the implant.
Explanation is an option for Alexandria and Northern Virginia women whose implants have shifted position due to weight fluctuation or pregnancies, causing their augmented breasts to look lopsided or asymmetrical.
What Should One Expect from Breast Implant Removal?
Breast implant removal is an outpatient procedure that typically takes between one and three hours. You will be able to go home after the procedure, but be sure to arrange to have your spouse, friend, or neighbor drive you.
There are a few common types of explantation, including:
Removal Only
Desman begins by making small incisions that allow him to access the implants. If the scar tissue that has formed around your implants is thin, it may not be necessary for him to remove it as well. However, if you are suffering from capsular contracture, he will also remove this thickened scar tissue to help accelerate your healing process.
Implant Removal with a Breast Lift
Desman may perform a breast lift alongside your breast implant removal if your breasts have begun to sag, which often happens due to age and pregnancy.
He will remove excess breast skin and tighten your breast tissue to create a firmer and more youthful profile. In some cases, he may also resize and reposition your areolas to suit the new shape and size of your breasts.
Deflation
If your breast implants are saline, Dr. Desman may choose the non-surgical route of deflating them by removing the fluid. This relatively painless procedure takes only a few minutes, and you can get it done while you are awake and under local anesthesia. Depending on the results, you can decide whether you would like to pursue additional procedures, such as a breast lift.
A Northern Virginia or Alexandria patient should not worry about finding the right breast implant removal procedure for their situation - Dr. Desman can help with this.
Recovering from Explantation
While recovery time after removing breast implants varies among patients, you can usually expect a smoother healing process than you experienced when receiving implants. However, if add a breast lift to your explant procedure, your breasts may feel tight and heavy for a few weeks.
Most women report minimal discomfort after the surgery and are able to return to work within a day or two. If your main reason for removing your implants was to address capsular contracture, you may experience more discomfort and a longer recovery window. The full recovery time of explant surgery is typically one to two weeks. Usually, you can expect to notice improvements around the three-month mark.
The scars from removing implants typically heal very well, and Dr. Desman takes care to choose an incision location carefully to minimize scarring.
You will need to avoid lifting heavy objects and high-impact exercise for the first two to three weeks after your implant removal surgery. Always check with our team before resuming your exercise routine, especially if you do strenuous activities like weightlifting or CrossFit.
As you recover from an explant procedure, it will be essential for you to follow the post-surgical instructions Dr. Desman gives you, including:
- Staying away from specific activities
- Wearing compression garments
- Taking pain medications as prescribed
Anyone in Northern Virginia or Alexandria who wants to learn more about recovering from a breast implant removal can reach out to our knowledgeable team today.
How Does Breast Implant Removal Affect your Natural Chest?
Once you’ve had your breast implants removed, your breasts may initially have a slightly deflated appearance, depending on how long you had the implants in place and whether or not you have had children.
Often, after a breast explant procedure, your chest will return to its initial shape and size over the next several weeks. If you are concerned about sagging or wish to address the pockets where your implants were in place, you can choose to get a breast lift at the same time as your implant removal.
Women who have had their implants removed can resume normal mammogram screening about two months after surgery. In most cases, there is no reason that a patient would not be able to breastfeed a baby, since the incisions involved are not near the milk ducts.
The results of an explant procedure are permanent. As with any surgery, there are some potential health risks to consider, but you can avoid these complications if you are careful about following all your post-surgical instructions. If you decide you miss the fuller volume you had with implants and choose to replace them later, you can do so after confirming that you are in good physical health.
Schedule Your Consultation for Breast Implant Removal in Northern Virginia
If you are curious as to whether breast implant removal in Northern Virginia and Alexandria would help address your concerns, you can always schedule a consultation with Dr. Desman. During this meeting, he can answer questions and offer the seasoned advice you need to make a decision. Contact us online today to get started.