Breast Implant Removal Surgery on the NHS

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Breast Implant surgery on the NHS is not common. You are unlikely to get breast implants inserted on the NHS and you are just as unlikely to get them removed on the NHS.

See our previous blog on Breast Enlargement Surgery on the NHS here.

Anyone considering breast enlargement surgery should also consider any further surgery that they may require to either remove or replace their breast implants in the future.

Why would breast implants need to be removed?

There are several reasons why breast implants need to be removed. These include:

You should be made aware of these side effects at your consultation with your breast surgeon before progressing with breast enlargement surgery. Find out more about breast implant safety here.

Breast Implant Removal NHS

Breast implant removal is not routinely available on the NHS. [1]

Patients who have had breast implant surgery privately, are entitled to be seen by the NHS. [2] Your GP should be able to refer you to your local NHS breast clinic. The criteria set by the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group to have breast implants removed is very strict. You will most likely be directed back to your original surgeon for the procedure and will only be re-considered for surgery on the NHS if your original surgeon is unable to offer the surgery. Find out more about Breast Implant Removal/re-insertion on the NHS here.

If you are accepted for breast implant removal on the NHS, you will only be offered the removal procedure. You will not be offered the option of replacement implants or a breast lift which many private patients choose to have alongside their implant removal surgery.

In most cases, patients will need to return to their original breast surgeon for breast implant removal, or breast implant replacement surgery. It is not essential that you return to your original surgeon, you can have breast implant removal surgery with any private plastic surgeon. It is important to choose someone who is specialised in breast procedures.

Patients who had breast implants on the NHS, most likely as part of a breast reconstruction following a mastectomy procedure would be able to have their breast implants removed if deemed medically necessary.

PIP Breast Implant Removal NHS

The NHS offers PIP Implant removal if your original breast enlargement procedure was done with the NHS. Otherwise, the latest advice from the NHS is that women with PIP implants do not need to have them removed unless they have symptoms such as pain and tenderness. [3]

Breast Implant Rupture NHS

If your breast implant has ruptured, it will need to be removed. Whilst implant rupture is on the NHS criteria list for implant removal. The NHS will refer you back to your original surgeon and only if they are unable to perform surgery, would you be able to have your implant removal surgery with the NHS.

Breast Implant Illness NHS

Patients who believe they have breast implant illness will first be recommended to go to their GP. This is because the symptoms of breast implant illness can also be caused by a range of other medical issues. It is best that these medical issues are excluded before seeking breast implant removal on the NHS.

Whilst Breast Implant Illness has been recognised as a condition. There is currently no definitive evidence or known scientific process that breast implants are the cause of symptoms commonly associated with Breast Implant Illness. Research with independent clinical experts continues to see if any new evidence can be found to increase understanding of these issues. [4]

This means that seeking breast implant removal due to breast implant illness on the NHS is generally not accepted. It is not commonly listed in the NHS Trust breast implant removal referral criteria. This means that it will need to be funded privately.

My breast implants hurt when I lay on them

Once you have recovered from your breast enlargement procedure, there is nothing to stop you from laying on your stomach with breast implants.

However, the extra pressure from the breast implants may be uncomfortable and many patients choose to lay on their side or back instead when resting.

Pain in the breast when you lay on them, could be caused by nerve sensitivity. If the pain is recurrent then we recommend returning to your breast surgeon to discuss this or find an alternative surgeon who specialises in breast surgery.

Are breast implants safe?

Breast implants are FDA-approved medical devices. They are used in breast augmentation surgery that can change the size or shape of the breast.

Breast implant surgery does come with risks. The risks of breast enlargement surgery and breast implants will be discussed during your consultation with a consultant plastic surgeon.

You can find out more about these risks on our Breast Implant Safety page.

Our team of consultant plastic surgeons prioritise staying informed on breast implant safety and are dedicated to helping patients understand the risks so an informed decision can be made.

Deciding to have breast implants is a big decision and the benefits of breast implants must always be balanced with the risks, however small they may be.

Breast Implant Removal Surgery at The Private Clinic

It is our excellent reputation for patient care and patient safety that makes The Private Clinic a leader in the cosmetic industry.

To find out more please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online breast removal contact form to request a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons.

Sources
  1. Interim Clinical Commissioning Policy: Breast Implant removal/re-insertion – NHS England
  2. Information about BIA-ALCL for people with breast implants – GOV.UK
  3. Guidance: Advice on PiP implants – GOV.UK
  4. Symptoms sometimes referred to as Breast Implant Illness – GOV.UK

 


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