BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL
Dr. William Pittas offers breast implant removal surgery for various reasons, including aesthetic goals and functional concerns. Patients in Saginaw, Midland, Bay City and all of the mid-Michigan can trust him to provide high-quality care for both medical and cosmetic purposes, ensuring they feel and look their best.
WHAT IS BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL SURGERY?
Breast implants are synthetic medical devices that are surgically inserted either over or under the pectoral muscle to enhance the size and shape of the breasts. Each year, thousands of women opt for breast augmentation with implants to achieve improvements in size, projection, symmetry, and overall appearance.
While breast implant surgery generally results in high patient satisfaction rates, it may not be the ideal solution for everyone due to individual differences. In cases where breast implants cause physical discomfort or emotional distress, removal surgery, also known as explant surgery, may be the best option. Additionally, we can perform this procedure for patients who have had unsatisfactory outcomes from previous implant surgery performed by another provider.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL?
During your initial consultation with us, you can discuss your specific concerns related to physical symptoms or aesthetic preferences that you hope to address with explant surgery. We will conduct a physical examination of your breasts and carefully review your medical and surgical history to assess your eligibility for the procedure.
Candidates for breast implant removal may present with various medical and cosmetic issues, including:
- Ruptured, leaking, or deteriorating implants
- Physical discomfort caused by tightness, hardened scar tissue, implant weight, or symptoms of breast implant illness
- Dissatisfaction with the size, shape, or position of the implants
Ideal candidates for breast implant removal should be in good overall health and non-smokers. They must also be willing to adhere to all pre- and post-operative instructions provided by our team.
WHY IS BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL SURGERY PERFORMED?
Some of the most common reasons this surgery is performed include:
- IMPLANT DEGRADATION
- RUPTURED SALINE BREAST IMPLANT
- RUPTURED SILICONE BREAST IMPLANT
- BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS (BII)
- CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE
- IMPLANT REMOVAL FOR IMPLANT DISPLACEMENT (MALPOSITION)
- RIPPLING
- BOTTOMED-OUT IMPLANTS
- PERSONAL PREFERENCE
- HOW TO PREPARE FOR BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL
A personalized plan outlining the necessary steps to prepare for your explant surgery will be provided by our team. It is essential to strictly adhere to these pre-operative instructions to minimize the risk of complications and expedite your recovery process.
Prior to breast implant removal, a medical evaluation may be required, and lab testing may also be necessary. Preparation for the surgery may involve adjusting the dosage of certain prescription medications as advised, several days before the procedure. Furthermore, specific over-the-counter products such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory herbal supplements should be avoided in the days leading up to the surgery, as per our guidelines.
Smoking can hinder the body's ability to heal wounds effectively. Therefore, patients should refrain from smoking for an extended period before the explant surgery. Continued abstinence from smoking for several weeks post-procedure is also strongly recommended.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL SURGERY?
The specific techniques needed to achieve optimal results may vary from patient to patient. Prior to scheduling your procedure, Dr. Pittas will create a tailored surgical plan for you and go over it with you. While there may be differences in the specifics of each procedure, here is what you can typically expect during your breast implant removal surgery:
Anesthesia
You will receive either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, based on prior discussions between you and Dr. Pittas. This will ensure that you do not experience any discomfort during the surgery.
Incisions
The next step involves making the necessary incisions to access and remove the breast implants. These incisions can be located below the areola, around the areola, or along the inframammary fold (lower fold) of the breast. Dr. Pittas takes various factors into consideration when determining the most suitable incision placement for each patient. He will address any questions you may have about his recommendations before the surgery.
Implant Removal
Following the techniques discussed during your consultation, Dr. Pittas will remove your breast implants. If required, any capsular scar tissue will also be excised.
Incision Closure
Upon completing the procedure, Dr. Pittas will meticulously close your incisions using sutures and/or skin adhesives.
BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL RECOVERY
We will furnish you with comprehensive postoperative guidelines to facilitate a speedy recovery following your surgery. These individualized instructions will cover proper care for your incision sites, pain management, and medication administration.
During the recovery period, it will be essential for you to rest for several days. You will also receive guidance on movements and activities to avoid, ensuring that the incision sites are not subjected to strain, force, or friction.
Your recuperation will entail scheduled follow-up appointments with us. These visits will enable Dr. Pittas to monitor your healing progress and provide recommendations on when it is safe for you to resume work and your regular activities.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL SURGERY RESULTS
The full impact of the surgery on your breast contours may not be noticeable until several months post-procedure. However, relief from persistent discomfort related to your previous implants, such as neck and shoulder strain from large implants or symptoms of breast implant illness, may be experienced more quickly.
During your consultation, we will provide you with the necessary information to comprehend the potential outcomes of explant surgery. Factors that can influence the feasibility of achieving your desired breast contours solely through implant removal include:
- Size of the implants
- Quantity and quality of remaining natural breast tissue
- Amount and characteristics of scar tissue surrounding the implant
- Presence of implant leakage
CAN BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL BE COMBINED WITH ANOTHER BREAST SURGERY?
If the removal of breast implants alone is insufficient to achieve your treatment objectives, we may suggest a combined procedure, such as:
Removal of breast implants with a lift
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, involves the removal of excess skin and the elevation and reshaping of sagging breast tissue to restore a more youthful breast position. If factors such as aging or fluctuations in weight have led to breast tissue sagging, elongated breasts, or nipples pointing downward, it may be necessary to combine implant removal with breast lift surgery to achieve a satisfactory outcome. This combined procedure is commonly referred to as explant and lift surgery.
Breast implant removal and replacement
In this combined procedure, older and/or problematic breast implants are exchanged for new ones. You have the flexibility to select replacement implants from a wide range of saline and silicone options, similar to when you underwent your initial breast implant surgery.
The choice of replacement implants that best suit you will be influenced by any changes in your preferences since your previous breast implant surgery. While some women may decide on identical implants, others may opt for a different implant type, profile, and/or size to achieve a subtle or significant transformation in their appearance.
WHAT IS THE COST OF BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL IN MICHIGAN?
Because we customize breast implant removal to meet each patient's specific needs, the cost of this procedure can vary greatly. The total price of breast implant removal takes into account factors such as the techniques employed, the complexity of the treatment, the length of the surgery, and whether additional procedures are carried out simultaneously. Additionally, facility and anesthesia fees will be included in the overall cost.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
For breast implant issues such as ruptures, shifts, rotations, impacts on well-being, or dissatisfaction with your physique, please reach out to Dr. Pittas in Saginaw, Michigan, to schedule your consultation for breast implant removal. With Dr. Pittas, rest assured that your safety and treatment objectives will be the primary focus throughout every stage of the breast implant removal journey.