Breast Implant Removal and Replacement Surgery

There are many reasons why patient seek removal of breast implants. If you have any of the concerns listed below or you have other concerns which are not mentioned in the list then you may wish to consider a consultation for more information or advice regarding ‘explant’ or removal of your breast implants.

If your breast implants need to be removed or replaced for whatever reason, it is important to consult with a doctor who has extensive experience and who can help you achieve the best results possible. Dr Konrat, one of a very few qualified female Cosmetic Doctors in Queensland, has made a particular study of remedial breast surgery and has extensive experience with complicated breast implant removal. 

Reasons for Breast Implant Removal Surgery

Life changes, or changes in personal circumstances can occasionally lead previous breast augmentation patients to seek implant revision or removal. It is very important to discuss this with a qualified practitioner, who can explain the details and implications of this surgery.

Concerns with Breast Implants May Include

• Deflation or rupture
• Shifting or rotating out of position
• Wrinkling, rippling, or asymmetry of the implants
• Neck, shoulder and upper back tension or pain
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Formation of scar tissue that tightens around the implant (capsular contracture)
• Formation of dead tissue around the implant (necrosis), which may prevent the wound from healing.
• Calcuim deposits
• Capsular contracture
• BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant Associated Anaplatic Lare Cell Lymphoma) A rare immune cell cancer related to breast implants
• A recent diagnosis of breast cancer or following medical care for breast cancer

Recommendations for Breast Implant Removal and Replacement Surgery

Cosmetic doctors know that not every breast augmentation works out perfectly for every patient. There are some risks involved in breast implant surgery and some patients do experience complications.

Dr Konrat will always support you through any issues that may develop, to minimise any stress and fear you might experience and also to provide any additional procedure that is necessary.

Permanent removal is sometimes the best or the only solution. Breast enlargement surgery actually changes the state of the natural breast tissue, and if the implants are removed, the breast skin may be stretched. In many cases, the breast will contract and slowly reduce once the implants are removed. Significant loss of volume of the breasts may need Mastopexy or breast lift surgery at the time of removal of implants. Removal of breast implants can be simple and straight-forward, or it can be a complex and sometimes difficult surgery requiring skill and experience.

Dr Konrat has extensive experience with breast implant removal. She has removed many different types of breast implants in many different circumstances and she aims to achieve a functional and healthy outcome for each patient.

Many women are concerned that when they have their breast implants removed they will be left with flat empty volume breasts. The options possible are varied and at times complex and require extensive discussion to help you determine which procedure/s will be suitable for your goals.  

You should never make a decision by reading a web page alone, no matter how comprehensive the information is. We encourage you to book a personal consultation with Dr Konrat, where she will assess you, explain the procedure in detail and help you to understand all the options as well as the risks and complications of surgery in general and breast surgery in particular. You will also be given the opportunity to discuss any of your concerns and what is your ideal outcome.

Dr Konrat will ask important questions about you and your health (your medical history).

Dr Konrat will examine your breasts with their implants, noting their condition, size and shape, the quality of your skin and other physical details to assist in planning to address your issues for the best possible outcome.

Dr Konrat will provide you with her informed opinion on the options available to you and will discuss her reasons for her recommendation.

You will make a final decision as to if/how to proceed to address the issues you have with your implants. We understand that you may not remember or understand everything you hear in your consultation, so we encourage you to make notes as soon as possible after the consultation, and to call or email Dr Konrat with any questions or concerns you may have about your intended surgery.

If you decide to have your implants replaced, Dr Konrat will assist you to choose the new implants in the same manner as for any breast augmentation surgery.

Pre-Operation Consultation

In-depth consultation with Dr Georgina Konrat regarding your concerns and ideal outcome.

Dr Konrat will ask important questions about you and your health (your medical history).

Dr Konrat will examine your breasts with their implants, noting their condition, size and shape, the quality of your skin and other physical details to assist in planning to address your issues for the best possible outcome.

Dr Konrat will provide you with her informed opinion on the options available to you and will discuss her reasons for her recommendation.

We understand that you may not remember or understand everything you hear in your consultation, so we encourage you to make notes as soon as possible after the consultation, and to call or email Dr Konrat with any questions or concerns you may have about your intended surgery.

If you decide to have your implants replaced, Dr Konrat will assist you to choose the new implants in the same manner as for any breast augmentation surgery.

Before making a decision to proceed with surgery, please review our Consent for Surgery form about this surgery.

Surgery Consent Form

The Operation

Breast implant removal surgery is performed in an accredited Day Surgery Hospital under General Anaesthesia.

The procedure usually takes between 1 and 21/2 hours depending on the complexity of reasons for removal in the first place.

Dr Konrat carefully removes the implants through an opening or incision in the crease below the breasts called the inframammary fold (if the implant is filled with saline, the doctor may choose to deflate it first to facilitate removal.)

If the implants are to be removed because of infection, hematoma, necrosis or capsular contraction, then those issues will be dealt with when the implants have been removed.

If new implants are to replace the old implants, then the new implants chosen in consultation with Dr Konrat will be placed in the space (the surgical pockets) that have been prepared following the removal of the old implants.

The small opening through which the implants are removed is then closed with sutures and a dressing or surgical tape placed to seal the wound. If a breast lift or Mastopexy is performed following removal of the breast implants then the implants and scar tissue will be removed through the breast lift opening. Routinely you will go home with drains, (small silicone tubes which drain excess fluids from the surgery site) which will be removed in the few days after surgery.

Post-Operation

For the first few days after your breast implant removal surgery, there may be mild discomfort, swelling and bruising.

Many patients will be able to return to everyday activity within a few days, and full activity within two weeks. Full recovery often takes a few months and it can take up to 9 months to appreciate your final results.

What You Should Know About Breast Implant Removal Surgery and / or Replacement

1. Emotional effects of breast implant removal – Some women suffer from psychological distress after breast implant removal. The change in the body’s shape affects some women as profoundly as a mastectomy affects others. Dr Konrat and her staff are aware of the challenges patients face and her role is to guide and support you in your post-operative journey.
2. Removal of large breast implants: If your implants were large and particularly if they were subglandular (on top of the muscle and under the breast tissues), and you opt not to replace the breast implants you may be left with significant cosmetic deformity of your breasts. Breasts may also be smaller than they were before the implants because of hormone changes or weight loss.
3. Seroma – this is a collection of fluid that sometimes occurs following surgery. If there is a danger of this, Dr Konrat will insert a drainage tube for the first couple of days after the surgery.
4. Hematoma – these are collections of blood or large bruises that can form where the fibrous capsule and implant have been removed. If a large haematoma develops, it may require return to hospital to evacuate the large blood clot and ensure that there is no more bleeding.
5. Change in nipple and skin sensation – some change in sensation is not unusual right after surgery. Most patients regain normal sensation within a few months of surgery. Occasionally, partial or permanent loss of nipple and skin sensation or hypersensitivity may occur in one or both breasts. Changes in sensation may affect sexual response or the ability to breastfeed a baby.
6. Chest Wall Deformity – in very rare cases, the chest wall (the underlying rib cage) may appear deformed upon removal of the implants. Chest wall deformity has been reported following the use of tissue expanders and breast implants. The significance of chest wall deformity is not fully understood but is not believed to produce any known health consequences.

Risks Specific to Breast Implant Removal and / or Replacement

Infection

Antibiotics are prescribed at the time of surgery and for one week post-operatively.

Further surgery may be required to improve scars if severe infection occurs.

Tissue necrosis or tissue breakdown has been reported following the use of steroid drugs, chemotherapy, radiation to breast tissue, smoking, and excessive heat or cold therapy. Occasionally, it can occur without any identifiable cause, but this is very rare.

Bleeding

Bleeding with collection of blood and bruising (hæmatoma) can occur.

Further surgery to stop the bleeding may be required. However, returning to the operating theatre for this is very rare.

Changes in Nipple and Skin Sensation

Some change in, or loss of nipple sensation immediately after surgery is not unusual.

It may take 9 to 12 months for full sensation to return.

Occasionally, partial or permanent loss of nipple and skin sensation, or hypersensitivity may occur in one or both breasts.

Changes in sensation may affect sexual response, or the ability to feed a baby.

Permanent Scarring

The degree of scarring varies according to many factors. Dr Konrat can discuss this with you at your initial consultation.

Breast Asymmetry

Your breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical in size and shape after surgery.

General Risks of Surgery

Because surgery is such a vital part of modern medicine, there is a tendency to forget that there are risks associated with every type of surgery. While these risks are small, every person undergoing surgery should be aware of the risks.

Wounds

All internal and external wounds need time to heal after surgery. Sutures and other material are used to hold wounds closed while they heal.

Infections

Despite taking precautions, infections can occur during and just after surgery. These may be general, such as pneumonia, or specific to breast surgery.

Pulmonary Risks

Patients have a risk of forming a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) that breaks off and gets stuck in the lung circulation (pulmonary embolism). This is minimised by the wearing of surgical ‘stockings’ during the surgery, and by getting the patient out of bed as soon as possible.

You will also be encouraged to breathe deeply when you wake up from the anæsthetic, as this expands your lungs and helps ensure your blood oxygen levels are good. Walking around the house when you get home from hospital and exercising your legs gently reduces your risk of developing a DVT.

Risks of Anaesthesia

Dr Konrat will take a full medical history and will order a number of tests prior to surgery. She will also make lifestyle recommendations to ensure your health is optimal before the surgery.

Mental Health Disorders and Elective Surgery

It is important that all patients seeking to undergo elective surgery have realistic expectations that focus on improvement rather than perfection.

Complications or less than satisfactory results are sometimes unavoidable; they may require additional surgery and can be stressful.

Please discuss openly with Dr Konrat in your consultation prior to surgery, any history of emotional depression or mental health disorders. If you are unsure whether a matter is relevant, please mention it anyway. Although many individuals may benefit psychologically from the results of elective cosmetic surgery, the effects on mental health can never be predicted, and could possibly have a negative influence on emotional stability.