Deciding to Remove your Breast Implants – Yes or No?

Dr Scott Turner - FRACS (Plas)

Should you remove your Breast Implants? – The Pros and Cons of Breast Implant Removal

There are many reasons for wanting to remove your breast implants and seek Breast implant removal surgery in Sydney including:

  • Wanting to exchange for a more modern, low, or non-textured implant
  • Change of lifestyle – No longer wanting the implants
  • Suffering from breast implant complications like capsular contraction or rupture or breast pain
  • Post-weight loss or post-pregnancy breast changes
  • Fear of Breast Implant-Associated ALCL (BIA-ALCL) – a type of lymphoma affecting 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,000,000 implanted patients depending on the type of implant.
  • Suffering from a range of symptoms related to breast implants – called BII or Breast Implant Illness.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Scott Turner can help you decide whether to remove or replace your breast implants and whether a capsulectomy or en-bloc removal may be helpful. Here are the pros and cons of deciding to remove your breast implants

Reasons to Remove Your Breast Implants – Breast Implant Removal PROS

1. Reduced breast pain

If you are suffering from breast pain – removing your implants may help. Capsular contracture around the implants can cause breast pain. It occurs when scar tissue forms around the breast implant and tightens. Moreover, large-size implants can lead to shoulder, back, and neck pain. You may also be suffering from BII – Breast Implant Illness. Once you get your breast implants removed and fully recover, you’ll probably notice a reduction in breast pain.

2. Eliminates the ongoing concern about ruptures

Breast implants are not lifetime devices and the shell will weaken over the years. No matter the type of breast implant, there is always a possibility of rupture. The most common reasons a breast implant ruptures are intense physical pressure, defective implants, aged implants that have weakened, and capsular contracture. Once you remove your breast implants, you’ll no longer need to worry about ruptures.

3. No need for implant replacements in the future

Since breast implants age over time, it has been recommended to replace your implants every 10-15 years. Besides the need for a surgical procedure, the cost expenses are not usually covered by your insurance. Choosing to remove your breast implants means you don’t have to worry about replacing your implants every time they get old.

Reasons NOT to Remove Your Implants – Breast Implant Removal CONS:

1. You may have descending breasts and extra skin after removal

Removing the implants can lead to descending breasts and extra skin. The size of your implants and the length of time you had them can influence these changes.

2. Breasts lose volume

When removing your silicone implant because of a rupture and leakage, Dr Turner may need to remove some breast tissue when performing a capsulectomy or ‘en bloc surgery’. If you have a ruptured implant that has leaked significantly, then more tissue may need to be removed along with the ruptured implant. Losing too much breast tissue can lead to volume loss. You may need a Breast Lift or Fat Grafting as a separate or combined procedure to address this.,/

3. There is a risk of infection post-surgery

Like any surgical procedure, breast implant removal surgery has risks such as the development of an infection around the post-surgery incision site or in the cavity where the implant was located. Infections will slow down recovery and depending on the infection severity, you may require drain tubes or antibiotics.

4. More visible scarring after breast implant removal surgery

The breast implant removal surgery will always use the same incision sites used for implant placement, however, you may notice more scarring than before depending on how your body heals. The scar will be visible and will take time to become less noticeable.

5. You may lose some feeling in the nipples

The breast implant removal surgery may cause loss of sensation in the nipple area. The periareolar incision can cause a loss of sensation as the tiny nerves that send signals to your nipple can get severed during surgery.

Walking into FacePlus Bondi Junction

Next Steps

Always Do Your Research

  • Enquire to find out more about your surgery.
  • Please read our website to learn more about your intended procedure.

Do you need a Medical Referral to see Dr Turner?

  • A medical referral is helpful but NOT essential for purely cosmetic consultations.
  • Please obtain a referral from your GP or Specialist if you want a consultation for an MBS item number surgery.
  • Please note that your Medicare Rebates will NOT be claimable without a valid recent Medical Referral.

Making The Most of Your Consultation

  • Please arrive early for your in-person consultation.
  • You are welcome to bring a friend or relative to help consider the information and discuss your options.
  • Ensure you also take a lot of notes during the consultation and thoroughly examine all the documents provided.

Want more information before scheduling your consultation?

How to Book Your Consultation

  • You can book your initial consultation by paying the $350 cosmetic consultation fee in advance – when you make your appointment.

Book a Phone Call for More Info

To find out more information about surgery you can book a FREE 15-minute phone conversation with our Friendly Patient Care team via Calendly- Book Consultant 1 or Book Consultant 2.

Contact us or call 1300 437 758 to arrange your surgeon consultation in Sydney.

Email us for more information: [email protected]