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Breast Implant Removal

Conveniently located to serve the areas of West Covina, CA

When a woman undergoes a breast implant procedure, it can enhance her figure and self-esteem and it is crucial that she is satisfied with her results. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved saline and silicone breast implants as safe, durable, and long lasting, occasionally there are circumstances when breast implant removal is desirable or necessary. Sometimes patients get their implants replaced because they want to alter their breast size or shape while others who originally chose to have saline implants placed over their muscle (subglandular) may decide they want new gummy bear implants placed under the muscle (submuscular) to achieve a more natural look.

For whatever reason, if you are a woman who is unhappy with your breast implants, Dr. Daniel H. Lin offers breast revision surgery, also referred to as a “re-do”, to correct the look of your previously augmented breasts. From his state-of-the-art facility, Shine Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Lin offers surgery for women who want a breast implant exchange (from saline to silicone or vice versa), to increase or decrease the size of their implants, or to remove their implants altogether. You may be a candidate for removal of breast implants if you desire to have previously placed breast implants removed for medical or personal reasons and basically, breast implant removal is ideal for customizing the look of your breasts after your initial surgery to ensure that your breasts look and feel the way you want them to.

If adequate post surgical care is received, breast implant complications are rare but some conditions breast implant removal can benefit.

Breast Implant Removal Benefits

Implant wrinkling
Capsular contracture (hardening of the tissue around the implant) and other complications after breast augmentation
Bottoming out (a drop in the location of the implant)
Implant malfunction or trauma, including implant rupture, leak, or deflation
Implant rippling or shifting
Breast ptosis, or sagging
Implant out of place
Nipple out of place
Poor healing and scarring
Change in size preferences
Change in implant type
Areola reduction
Infection
Asymmetry
Changes from the effects of pregnancy or drastic weight fluctuations

For the rare occasion where a patient with breast implants is diagnosed with breast cancer, breast implant removal without replacement may be the best option.

Breast implant removal involves surgically re-opening the breast using the same breast augmentation incisions as the original procedure. By removing and reinserting the implant through the same incisions used for the initial breast augmentation, no new scarring should result from breast implant removal although reopening the incisions means that they will need to heal again. Breast implant surgery can be performed under local anesthesia if just the implants are being removed however is if capsules or scar tissue around the implants are also being removed; sedation and local or general anesthesia will be required. Dr. Lin will remove the breast implant and any capsules (scar tissue) present around the implant. The scar tissue removal (capsulectomy) may be required if the breast implants are not being replaced, if new breast implants are being inserted in a different position, or if there is evidence of silicone breast implant leakage.

When new breast implants are not replaced after your original implants are removed, the skin may be permanently stretched and Dr. Lin may recommend a breast lift (mastopexy). This procedure is necessary to remove excess, sagging skin and position your breasts in a natural, aesthetically pleasing location. The breast implant procedure typically takes one hour with an additional hour of recovery time before leaving the surgery center. Swelling and minimal bruising in the area may last up to three weeks and you can return to work in a few days depending on your healing capabilities. Complete recovery from breast implant removal may take a few months and it is important to know that breast implant removal will return you to a smaller breast size and shape. In some cases, this outcome may be undesirable and fortunately Dr. Lin is able to perform other plastic surgery procedures to provide more satisfactory results if necessary. Patients whose breast implant removal surgery involves implants placed under the pectoral muscle will generally have slightly longer recovery times than patients whose surgery involves implants placed over the pectoral muscle.

Correct Unexpected Cosmetic Problems

Breast implant removal can correct unexpected cosmetic problems that occur months or years after your original breast augmentation. Dr. Lin understands that every patient has a different reason when they seek breast revision surgery and he personally works with you to design a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. Breast implant procedures vary widely and they can be simple or extremely complex and for this reason, Dr. Lin’s goal is to resolve your problem while providing a satisfactory aesthetic outcome.

Dr. Lin consistently offers his expertise and experience in plastic surgery to patients in California and beyond so please contact Shine Cosmetic Surgery if you are interested in receiving more information on breast implant removal. Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape the normal structures of your body in order to improve your appearance and self-esteem so if you are concerned about some aspect of your breast implants, we encourage you to call and let us schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Lin today. During your meeting, Dr. Lin promises to give you a realistic expectation of your personal outcome and he will answer any questions or concerns you have about breast implant removal or any other procedure offered at Shine Cosmetic Surgery.