Breast Implant Removal

Breast implant removal is a personal choice but many patients who do decide to have their implants removed are; • Not happy with the way their breast implants look. • Have experienced shifting, sagging, or changes due to age, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy. • Have developed a capsular contracture which means the scar tissue around the implants is getting harder or tighter. • One or both implants have leaked or ruptured. • Simply want to return to their original breast size. Deciding if to go ahead with breast implant removal is generally only a decision that you can make, but to help you feel more informed about the procedure and what to expect we recommend booking a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons who will be able to explain the procedure in more detail and answer any questions that you may have.

Breast implant removal surgery will take place in hospital. After your pre-op checks have been carried out your surgeon will meet with you again to go over what is going to happen and answer any questions. You will then be taken to the theatre and general anaesthetic will be administered.

Whilst under general anaesthetic, the surgical procedure will take place. Your surgeon will aim to remove your implants through your original incision. The implant will be removed and the area cleaned. If requested, a full enbloc procedure will be carried out at this stage. Your incision will then be closed and taped and you will be taken to recovery to recover from the anaesthetic.

After the procedure, you will be returned to your room where you will be under observation until your doctor has cleared you to go. Usually, breast implant removal procedures are performed as a day case procedure so you will be able to return home the same day as your procedure.

We do advise patients to wait for at least 6 months after having a breast augmentation before considering breast implant removal.

However, if you are looking to remove your implants due to complications such as a ruptured implant or capsular contraction then this can be performed as soon as possible to relieve you of any pain or discomfort.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your breasts following breast implant surgery, then it is important to discuss this with your surgeon. Although the results from breast augmentation are instant, it can take up more than a few weeks for the implants to fully settle and for any swelling to clear before you can see your final results. This is why surgeons do prefer you to wait at least 6 months before deciding on breast implant removal surgery.

Enbloc surgery is when the breast implant and capsule are both removed in one piece. The implant should still be within the balloon of the capsule when it is removed from the body.

This can be a very difficult procedure and there are some cases where an enbloc is not possible. This usually occurs when the capsule is attached to vital tissues, or it is too thin and delicate to be removed in one piece.

When an enbloc is not possible, surgeons will instead work to remove as much as the capsule as possible from the implant before removal and then remove remaining scar tissue from the rest of the breast pocket.

In some cases the removal of the capsule could case damage to vital tissues like the rib cage which could lead to unnecessary damage to the lungs if there is any attempt to remove it. In cases like this, the capsule will remain in place, but surgeons will take steps to allow proper healing including sterilising the remaining capsules.

To find out more about enbloc procedures please contact us to book a consultation with one of our expert breast surgeons.

What is capsular contracture?

All breast implants form a capsule around the implant which is a natural process. Capsular contraction occurs when the tissue of the capsule becomes tight and distorts the shape of the implant. Those that have capsular contracture may find that their breasts change in shape, feel hard and they may also experience pain or discomfort.

Capsular contracture is a rare side effect but is more common in those who have experienced it before which is often why implant removal is advised instead of implant replacement. However implant replacement is still possible, and the full risks and conditions of surgery will be explained in more detail during a consultation with your surgeon.

Capsular contracture is one of the most common reasons for breast augmentation revision surgery and surgeons use a grading system known as The Baker System to assess the severity of capsular contracture on their patients.

• Baker I / Grade 1 – This is when there is scar tissue surrounding the implant but there is no change to the shape, size or texture of the breasts. There is no firmness and breasts should feel soft.
• Baker II / Grade 2 – Firmness may be felt around the implant but there is so change to the appearance of the breast
• Baker III / Grade 3 – Breasts will be form and start to change shape such as becoming rounder, sitting higher or becoming bulgy on the top of the chest.
• Baker IIII / Grade 4 – As well as firm breasts and an abnormal shape, the breasts will also become sore and tender.

How is capsular contracture diagnosed?

Your surgeon will perform a physical examination of the breasts to diagnose capsular contracture. No further testing is required. It is common for capsular contracture to occur within the first 2 years after breast implant surgery. Capsular contracture that is diagnosed after 2 years will often require further testing to ensure there is no rupture to the implant.

Ruptured implants are a big cause of late-onset capsular contraction.

In most cases Baker 1 and Baker 2 do not require surgery but more severe cases of capsular contracture will require surgery of capsular removal and implant removal or replacement.

Your breast implant removal procedure does not need to be performed by the same surgeon who performed your breast enlargement procedure.

It is best if you have as much detail about your implants as possible ahead of your consultation with your new surgeon. This includes the type of implants that you have, their size and where they are placed within the breast. You should be able to request this information from your original surgeon or clinic if you do not have it already.

We advise patients to allow two weeks of recovery time following their implant removal surgery. Patients should try and spend their time sitting upright to reduce the risk of swelling.

Many patients feel comfortable enough to return to work after 1 week but this will depend on the nature of your job role, it is best to discuss this with your surgeon and nursing team ahead of your procedure.

Strenuous exercise should be avoided for 6 weeks but gentle light exercise can be resumed after 4 weeks.

In the majority of cases, patients’ breasts will return to their previous size following breast implant removal. However there are a number of factors that could impact this which includes any weight loss or gain, pregnancies, and breast feeding.

The skin of your breasts may have also stretched during the time you have had breast implants which can cause breasts to feel smaller post-surgery.

You can find out more about what to expect after breast implant removal surgery here.

As a potential breast implant removal patient, you need to consider the potential risks and consequences that sometimes can occur with the surgery you are seeking.

Breast implant removal surgery will carry risks just like any surgical procedure would do. Common risks include infection, seromas, excessive bleeding or reaction to the anaesthetic.

Your plastic surgeon will explain in detail all the risks associated with surgery to ensure that you fully understand the procedures you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

You will also be provided with a copy of our patient guide which will provide comprehensive information about the procedure that you are considering undergoing.

The Private Clinic has clinics nationwide so we are sure to have an expert breast surgeon located near to you where you can discuss implant removal procedure.

Our clinics are in:

• London– 98 Harley street, W1G7HZ
• Manchester– 25 St John Street, M3 4DT
• Birmingham– 88 Hagley Road, B16 8LU – West Midlands
• Leeds– 45 Park Square North, LS1 2NP – Yorkshire
• Buckinghamshire– Virtual Consultations Only
• Northampton– 82 Billing Road, NN1 5DF – East Midlands

To find out more about booking a consultation at a clinic near you, contact us here.

The Private Clinic sees over 15,000 new patients every year and perform over 10,000 procedures, with one of the highest –patients’ satisfaction in the sector, Trustpilot excellent rating, 98% would recommend us to their friends and family. 

The Private Clinic prides itself on its commitment to Medical Expertise, Patient Care and Satisfaction, Honest advice and most importantly Results. We are above all committed to Quality.

For more information about The Private Clinic, our experience and medical expertise click here.

Please feel free to contact us for any advice or to book a consultation with one of our expert Breast surgeons. Breast Implant removal cost can be part of your decision to undergo a procedure but it should never be the deciding factor.

The cost of removal of breast implants starts from £5,290.

We don’t follow a one-price-fits-all policy and prices are quoted on a case by case basis. You will be given an accurate quote for your requirements following your consultation.

The Private Clinic have collaborated with Chrysalis Finance to offer finance options for our patients to help spread the cost of their treatment. Breast Implant Removal monthly costs could start from £144.48pm*. Acceptance is subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Find out more here.

Consultations with our breast surgeons are £100 at our clinics in London Harley Street, Birmingham, and Northampton.

We also offer consultations with our highly experienced Patient Coordinators which require a £25 refundable deposit to secure your place.

These are available in Birmingham, and Northampton. Patient coordinators can offer you all the required information before meeting a surgeon. Please note all consultations available at our Harley Street clinic are with a surgeon.

*The total amount of Credit £5290. Total charge for credit £1644.92. Total Amount Repayable £6934.92. Repayable by 48 monthly payments of £144.48. Representative 14.9% APR. Example based upon treatment costing £5290 repayable over 48 months. Acceptance is subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.

This will depend on the reasons as to why you are removing your original implants and the results that you are hoping to achieve.

If you are happy with the appearance of your breast implants but they need to be removed due to implant fault or end of lifespan then an implant replacement procedure may be best for you. Find out more about breast implant replacement surgery here.

However if you are unhappy with the appearance of your breasts with implants and are seeking a more natural appearance then an implant removal procedure is probably the best option.

We have a selection of different options for breast implant removal such as Breast Auto Augmentation procedure which is a great option for patients who wish to achieve the appearance of a breast implant, without the implant. Find out more about Breast Auto Augmentation surgery here.

If you are feeling unsure about what is best for you then we recommend visiting one of our expert breast surgeons who will be able to listen to your thoughts and concerns about surgery and help you make a more informed decision. They will also be able to assess you in person and give their advice on what you can expect to achieve from surgery.