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Breast Implant Removal NYC

Removing Breast Implants

Getting breast implants was a major decision, and having them removed is also a big decision. You may be considering breast implant removal in NYC, commonly known as a breast explant, because you want to increase your confidence about your body. Or you may just no longer feel good about the presence of your breast implants.

Before undergoing any type of procedure, New York Group for Plastic Surgery patients will need some solid information so that they can make an educated choice about their own bodies.

client after her breast implant removal in NYC

What is a breast explant?

A breast explant is a type of cosmetic procedure that is performed to remove breast implants and some, or all, surrounding scar capsules. Patients commonly consider the procedure if they want to return to being free of breast implants or have begun having complications with their breast implants.

During your procedure, your plastic surgeon – either Dr. Andrew Salzberg or Dr. Jordan Jacobs – will also be removing silicone from the shell of the implant and cleaning within your breast pocket.

What are some reasons I may need a breast explant procedure?

Some common reasons why a patient would need a explant surgery in NYC include:

For the removal of breast implants that are leaking silicone gel or have ruptured
To remove breast implants causing pain or other types of complications
For the replacement of damaged implants
To improve the aesthetics and feel of the breasts
For the removal of capsular contracture (tight scar tissue around an implant)

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Preparing for Breast Implant Removal

Before your breast implant removal procedure is performed, certain steps must be taken. As certain medications can interfere with the procedure, you should avoid taking medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and anti-inflammatory medications for one week prior to your procedure.

You should also avoid taking blood-thinning medications for up to six weeks prior to your breast implant removal procedure. Some common blood thinners include coumadin and heparin. Inform your prescribing physician about your plans to undergo a breast implant removal procedure so that they can recommend when to stop taking the medications.

You should arrange for someone to drive you home after your procedure and remain with you for at least 24 hours after your breast implant removal in NYC. You must also undergo an examination to determine if your breasts are healthy enough to undergo a breast explant.

What Are Some of the Breast Implant Removal Procedures?

Your surgeon may administer either local or general anesthesia, depending upon what was agreed upon at your consultation. In either case, you will experience no pain. If you are given general anesthesia, you will be completely unconscious during the entire procedure. Your surgical team will continuously monitor your vital signs so that you remain safe throughout your procedure.

Skin Preparations

Once you are under the effects of the anesthesia, your surgeon will prepare the surgical area and ensure that all needed equipment is on hand and ready. The area around your breasts will be cleaned with antibacterial soap to guard against infection.

Placement of Incisions

The incisions needed for breast implant removal can be formed in one of three locations: the crease under the breast, around the areola, or vertically placed in the armpit. Your surgeon will create the necessary incisions, draining any accumulated fluid in the area.

Removal of Implants

The next step of your breast implant removal in NYC is the removal of the implants from each breast. Your surgeon may proceed using a variety of methods, such as:

Prying out implants from beneath breast tissue
Cutting through the shell of the implant if it is sticking to nearby tissues
Implant removal using instruments attached to the breast implant, allowing for its slow removal through pulling

Scar Tissue Removal

Once your surgeon has removed your implants, they will also remove any excess skin or scar tissue around your nipples. They will then cauterize the area. Once any scar tissue has been removed, your surgeon will reconstruct the area, leading to a more natural appearance.

Sealing of Incisions

In the next step, your surgeon will be re-attaching your skin, stitching it and applying dressings to prevent the area from becoming infected while you are healing. Explant surgery in NYC normally takes anywhere from one to three hours to complete, depending upon the extent of needed work, including the removal of scar tissue and area reconstruction.

What Is Recovery Like?

Once your procedure is complete, you will be awakened from anesthesia and taken into a recovery room. As sensation returns to the area, you may experience some discomfort. You’ll be provided with pain relief medication when you are in the recovery area.

You’ll probably spend about an hour in the recovery room before you are allowed to return home. You will be provided with post-procedure instructions on how to care for yourself and the incision sites in the days and weeks following your surgery.

Some post-procedure instructions that you may be provided with include information about:

How to wear your compression bra
How to take any prescribed antibiotics
How to apply a cold compress to the surgical site

When it comes to recovering from your breast implant removal in NYC, your recovery should be quite similar to that which you experienced after your initial breast augmentation surgery. So expect three solid days of downtime, which is the most difficult part for most patients.

You will be dealing with some swelling, bruising, soreness, and sensitivity for a few weeks. By the first few days after your procedure, these post-operative effects should have faded enough to allow you to return to most of your routine activities without serious discomfort.

Within one week, most patients are able to resume light activities, with more vigorous activity possible in about six weeks.

Breast Implant Removal FAQ

The following are some commonly asked questions about breast implant removal:

Will I feel better after breast implant removal?

Many patients find that their symptoms are reduced after their breast implant removal procedure. It is very much an individual matter. When you meet with your surgeon, they can inform you of what to expect after your procedure.

How painful is breast explant surgery?

There is no pain associated with explant surgery in NYC. Your surgeon will administer anesthetic so that your chest area is completely numb the entire time. You may be administered either local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending upon factors like your overall health, personal desires, and location and size of the breast implants that will be removed.

Local anesthesia is often used for those wanting to remove smaller breast implants from over the chest muscle. Those who have implants beneath the chest muscle, or those with larger implants, may want to receive general anesthesia. This means that you would be both pain-free and asleep while your surgeon performs the procedure.

Will the original incision sites from my breast implant procedure be reused for my explant procedure?

Your surgeon will do their best in concealing any needed incisions, reusing the old ones from your previous procedure. There are cases in which new incisions must be formed. Your surgeon will try to make any needed incisions as small and unobtrusive as possible. Before your procedure, they will let you know where they plan to make the needed incisions.

How long will I need to wait before undergoing a breast explant procedure?

It can take some time for a patient to develop a feeling of dissatisfaction with the results of their breast implant procedure, as breast tissue settling, as well as swelling and bruising, take some time to occur and resolve.

It can also take as long as six months before the final results of a breast implant procedure can be seen. So most surgeons recommend waiting at least six months before committing to a revision procedure for cosmetic reasons.

What happens to your breasts when you remove implants?

This is an individual situation that depends upon your unique factors, such as:

Size of your original implants
Changes to your body
How long your implants have been there

Since implants would have added some volume to the breasts, their removal should be expected to result in a reduced volume of the breasts once they have been removed. The area can look somewhat deflated after the procedure.

Fortunately, cosmetic procedures are available to reverse these post-procedure issues.

What is the average cost to have breast implants removed?

The cost of breast implant removal in NYC varies widely, depending upon a range of factors. Some factors involved in the cost include the cost related to the operating facility, post-care essentials, tests used, and prescription medication cost.

In most cases, breast implant removal procedures are not covered by health insurance. However, the determination of whether a procedure is covered or not depends upon the medical need for the surgery.

If a breast explant procedure was performed following a mastectomy, for example, and medical removal is necessary, insurance companies are obligated to cover the costs related to the surgery because of the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Acts of 1988.

To determine the cost of your breast implant removal, meet with your surgeon during a consultation.

Get Started with Breast Implant Removal in NYC

Whether you’re seeking a breast reduction or enhancements such as breast augmentation, the New York Group for Plastic Surgery provides effective solutions to address the varied concerns commonly experienced by women regarding their breasts.

If you’re considering a breast implant removal in New York, please request your consultation online or give us a call at 888-664-8381 (New York City) or 914-366-6139 (Tarrytown). The New York Group for Plastic Surgery serves patients in all of New York and communities in Hudson River Valley, Northern New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Western Connecticut.