Breast Implant Removal

It is important to note that breast implants are not lifetime devices, and most women will be required to remove (or replace) their implants with breast implant revision surgery at some point in time.

Women seek breast implant removal (commonly referred to as a explant surgery) for a number of different reasons, including breast implant complications such as capsular contracture, implant rupture or implant malposition. Less commonly, patients may remove their implants due to concerns around breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) or breast implant illness (BII).

Many women seeking explant surgery simply choose to remove their breast implants due to change in their personal preference or lifestyle.

Yes we do. We understand that surgery is a serious investment. To help you understand your payment options you may like to read our dedicated article here.

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The two most common breast implant removal procedures include an implant removal alone or an implant removal with a breast lift.

Breast implant removal surgery is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made in the inframammary fold (breast crease). If your original breast implants were inserted using this incision, the same scar will be used but slightly extended to accommodate for the removal of the implant. The prosthesis and the surrounding capsule are then removed (if a complete en bloc capsulectomy is required). A drain may be inserted to remove any fluid that accumulates post-operatively, and the wound is closed using dissolvable sutures.

For patients combining their implant removal with a breast lift, more information about how this portion of the procedure is performed can be found here.

To perform breast implant removal, an incision is made in the inframammary fold (breast crease). If your original breast implants were inserted using this incision, the same scar will be used but slightly extended to accommodate for the removal of the implant. The length of an implant removal scar is typically about 10cm.

If a breast lift is performed at the time of your breast implant removal, Dr Moncrieff will use a modern anchor incision technique to address sagging or stretched breast skin, reshape the areolas and improve the overall breast shape.

You may like to read our dedicated blog on how a breast lift procedure is performed.

Like any surgical scars, how noticeable that scar is depends on a number of factors including surgical technique, genetics and adherence to post-operative instructions.

You can find before and after examples of breast implant removal surgery (with and without a breast lift) in our gallery.

All surgery is serious and you need to weigh up the potential benefits with the risks. 

There are two main categories of risks and complications to consider when considering breast implant removal surgery.

The first category of risks apply to all forms of major surgery and include medical complications such as: infection, bleeding and an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic. 

The next category of risks which are more specific to breast implant removal include: change in breast sensation or loss of sensation in the nipples, delayed wound healing (including death of tissue), asymmetry and in rare cases, loss of the nipple.

Your surgeon will discuss these risks, and how you can reduce them before and after surgery, in your consultation. You will also be given written material covering these risks.

More information about the risks of plastic surgery and broader general surgery can be found on our dedicated risks page.

There are several options available for breast implant revision surgery.

Many women chose to have their breast implants removed and replaced with new implants to maintain breast volume or change breast size. More information about implant removal and replacement can be found here.

Yes, in some cases Dr Moncrieff not only removes the implants, but the entire surrounding scar tissue capsule (called an en bloc capsulectomy procedure).

An en bloc capsulectomy or complete removal of the capsule may be recommended in cases of extensive implant rupture, capsular contracture or BIA-ALCL.

This is a more extensive procedure and comes with higher risks. These issues are something you can discuss with him in more detail in your consultation.

Yes, Medicare Item Numbers – 45551 – removal only.

We do not see patients within 6 months following surgery elsewhere. This is because the original doctor is required by law to provide post-operative care and surgery takes time to settle. We also have no insight into exactly how the surgery has been performed, the implants used and infection control employed so we can’t have a full insight into how patients from other clinics should be managed in the post operative phase, unlike our own patients.

If you remain unhappy about your results after 6 months and you have been unable to get a agreed path forward with your original doctor, then we recommend you see your GP for a referral to us and also a referral for an ultrasound before you see us.

If you are experiencing a serious complication from surgery elsewhere such as an infection or wound breakdown, you should contact that clinic urgently. You should also consider presenting at emergency or your GP if you are unable to get in contact with that clinic.

Your breasts will likely not look exactly the same as they did before your original breast implant surgery. The appearance of your breasts following breast implant removal surgery is dependent on a number of factors, including:

• The size of your breasts before implants
• The size of your implants
• Pregnancy, weight changes or hormonal changes following your primary breast augmentation
• Your age and the length of time the implants have been in place

Breast implants stretch the natural breast tissue and surrounding skin. For this reason, Dr Moncrieff often recommends combining breast implant removal surgery with a breast lift to address the additional skin created by the breast implant.

The level of pain experienced during breast implant removal surgery varies from person to person, depending on the complexity of the procedure. It's important to note that breast implant removal is a surgical procedure, and like any surgery, it involves some degree of discomfort and a recovery process. Breast implant removal surgery will involve swelling, bruising, bloating and discomfort in the immediate post-operative period.

Our anesthetists will prescribe post-surgery pain medication to help manage discomfort in the immediate post-operative period. Patients are advised to follow our post-operative care instructions carefully to minimise discomfort and promote proper healing. In most cases, patients report discomfort gradually decreases two to three weeks following surgery. The total healing process is about 12 weeks for most patients.

In some cases, Dr Moncrieff will combine breast implant removal with fat transfer, however it is important to note that fat transfer will not replace the volume of the implant. More information about fat grafting can be found here.