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Breast Implant Removal Sydney

Your complete guide and quick links to everything you want to know about Breast Implant Removal in Sydney! ​

Breast Implant Removal

Breast implant removal, also known as explant surgery, involves the removal of both breast implants, either with or without their surrounding breast capsules.

Breast implants are never lifetime devices. Most women who have had breast implant surgery will eventually require further breast surgery in the form of one of the following:

  • Removal and replacement of their existing implants, or
  • Revision of their existing implants, or
  • Removal of their breast implants permanently without replacement.

If you have had recurring or significant complications with your breast implants, you may be advised that your breast implants are best removed and not replaced.

Why Some Women Need Breast Implant Removal

  • Implant complications e.g.:
    • Capsular contracture
    • Capsular calcification
    • Implant rupture
    • Implant deflation
    • ‘Double bubble’ deformity
    • Implant rippling/wrinkling
    • Unappealing breast appearances
    • Excessive movement of the implant (‘animation’)
    • Asymmetry
    • Implant movement over time because of weight loss, weight gain, or pregnancies.
  • Dissatisfaction with the result of the original breast augmentation. Some women may feel their breast implants are the wrong size or shape. 
  • Changes in appearances due to ageing of the breast.
  • Persistent breast pain or exercise-related discomfort.
  • Women concerned about the risk of BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma) may request breast implant removal to eliminate the risk.
  • Women with Breast Implant Illness (BII) – a term used to describe a variety of symptoms that some women report after having breast implants – may request breast implant removal
  • A recent diagnosis of breast cancer.
  • Lifestyle changes no longer requiring implants.
  • Old implants e.g. those more than 10-15years old
  • A simple preference to no longer have implants or a desire for a more natural breast appearance.

How Is Breast Implant Removal Done?

Breast implant removal usually takes between one and three hours and is usually performed as day surgery in a Licensed Hospital under General Anaesthesia administered by a Specialist Anaesthetist.

Depending on your recovery, you should be able to return home after 1-2 hours in Recovery.

However, you cannot go home alone. You must be accompanied by a responsible adult who can also be with you for the first 24 hours.

If your original breast implant surgery was performed through an infra-mammary incision in the fold under the breast, your Plastic Surgeon will perform the breast implant removal through the original scar, and therefore, you will not have a second scar.

If, however, your original surgery was performed through the any of the other three approaches (armpit, peri-areolar, or navel), your Surgeon will still need to make his incision under the breast, and therefore, you will have an additional scar. Nevertheless, Breast Implant Removal scars typically heal very well and become very inconspicuous over time.

If your surgeon has inserted a drain into one or both breasts, hospital staff will instruct you as to how to care for the drain at home until it needs to be removed.

Recovery After Breast Implant Removal

You will likely be surprised that the recovery after simple removal of breast implants is far easier, smoother, and much less uncomfortable than your original breast implant surgery.

Immediately following the surgery, expect to have some discomfort, swelling, and bruising around the breast area. For most, the discomfort is only mild and is easily managed by pain- relievers. Most patients feel able to resume normal routines and non-physical work after 1-2 weeks.  

You will likely need to wear a surgical compression bra to support the breasts during their initial healing phase.

Your plastic surgeon will give you specific post-operative instructions based on your individual lifestyle and needs. You can gradually resume mild exercises as advised by your surgeon but avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks after your surgery.

If your breast implant removal involved a Capsulectomy in addition to the removal of breast implants (e.g. for Capsular Contracture or BIA-ALCL), or if you’ve also had a Breast Lift after the breast implant removal, expect to have a little more discomfort and a longer recovery time. This discomfort can be easily managed with pain-relievers until it settles. 

Breast Implant Removal scars typically heal very well and finally end up very inconspicuous.

How Your Breasts Will Look After Breast Implant Removal

As breast implants always stretch the overlying skin envelope, the breasts will look quite deflated after breast implant removal.

Depending on the size of your implants and amount of natural breast tissue, removal of breast implants can leave the breasts looking very deflated, saggy, and misshapen. The stretched skin will be loose and most likely very wrinkled. Nipples and areolas will point downwards.

One option to correct the deflated appearance is to include a Breast Lift at the same time as the Breast Implant Removal. If indicated, the Breast Lift can be combined with a Fat Transfer but bear in mind that as only a variable percentage of transferred fat cells survives, you might need an additional Fat Transfer procedure some months later to further fill the deflated breast.

Potential Risks & Complications of Breast Implant Removal

Specific Risks and Complications of Breast Implant Removal:

  • Hematoma of the implant pocket which could require a return to Theatre for drainage.
  • Seroma (fluid collection in the implant pocket) requiring one or more aspirations.
  • Numbness of the Breast or Nipple – usually temporary, rarely permanent.
  • Infection of the operative site requiring topical and antibiotic treatment.
  • Raised & thickened incision scars if you are prone to them, or pigmented scars if you have brown or Asian skin.
  • Pneumothorax: accidental perforation of the thin chest wall muscles between the ribs allowing air to enter the chest. This would require a short stay in hospital to insert tubes into the chest to drain the air.
  • Residual asymmetry of the breasts. No two sides of our bodies are ever perfectly symmetrical, and including the breasts. Moreover, as each breast could have reacted differently to the presence of an implant, the breasts could look even more asymmetrical than they did prior to implants.

General Risks of Breast Implant Removal

  • Allergic reaction to medications, sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions.
  • Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and its potential to cause life-threatening Pulmonary Embolism. To reduce the risk of DVT, Calf Massagers can be applied for the entire duration of your surgery to prevent the blood in your leg veins from pooling and clotting.
  • Adverse Reactions to Anaesthesia or Medication:The safety of anaesthesia nowadays in Australia is well established. Nevertheless, potential risks exist with all anaesthesia and unexpected reactions can occur. These may include nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions ranging from minor to severe. Respiratory failure, heart failure, heart attack and stroke are rare but documented risks of any general anaesthesia.

The Cost of Breast Implant Removal In Sydney

  • Breast Implant Removal

The cost of Breast Implant Removal can sometimes be greater than the original surgery for the following reasons:

  • Breast Implant Removal may require additional and more complex procedures than just a simple removal. Such additional procedures could include Capsulectomy, or a Breast Lift with/without a Fat Transfer to counteract the expected deflated breast appearance.
  • Such additional complex procedures involve longer theatre times which are reflected in higher Hospital Theatre Costs and Anaesthetist Fees.
  • Surgical Fee:

    Understandably, therefore, the Surgical Fee and approximate total cost cannot be estimated until our Plastic Surgeon has assessed you and determined what needs to be done and how long it will take.

  • Additional costs will include Hospital Fee, Anaesthetist Fee, and Post-operative Support Bra.
  • Follow-up appointments for up to 6 months are included.

Can I Claim a Medicare or Private Health Insurance Rebate?

Breast Implant Removal may be eligible for a partial Medicare rebate depending on the reasons for the implant removal.

If your Surgeon has allocated a Medicare Item Number for your surgery, and you also have Private Health Insurance, you may be able to claim a variable portion of your Hospital Fees depending on your Fund and Level of Cover.