Breast implants removal/exchange
The aim of the surgery is to remove breast implants in patients after breast augmentation or breast reconstruction. During the procedure, the silicone material from the leaky implant and the capsule, which is scar tissue surrounding every breast implant, can also be removed. Often this tissue is soft and does not need to be removed, but it can harden, causing pain and discomfort. This is a reason to remove the implants along with the surrounding capsule (so-called “en block” resection).
Breast implants are not lifelong devices and it is important for the patient to be aware of this. There is no set time after which implants should be removed or replaced. Dr Pietrasik recommends his patients who have undergone breast augmentation with implants to undergo breast ultrasound check-ups once a year, and after the warranty expires (i.e. 10 years after the surgery), they undergo magnetic resonance imaging of the breasts. In the case of alarming symptoms, Dr Pietrasik orders both of these tests to be performed earlier.
During preoperative consultations, the following topics are discussed: the method and scope of the surgery, the location of the incisions, the expected results and possible complications.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
The duration of the operation varies from 45 minutes to 3 hours, depending if capsule is removed or not.
Patients leave the clinic on the day of surgery or stay overnight depending on the scope of surgery and preferences.
Return to normal professional activity takes 7-10 days.
In the postoperative period, it is necessary to wear an elastic bra for 8 weeks.
Sport activity can be resumed after 1 month, and exercises involving pectoral muscles after 3 months after the surgery.
The result obtained is permanent. In a situation where aesthetic result after breast implant removal is expected to be unsatisfactory for patient, Dr. Pietrasik recommends simultaneous breast lift with or without new breast implants.
| Duration | 30min – 3h |
| Anesthesia | general |
| Stay in the facility | 12-24h |
| Recovery | 7 d |
| Sutures | dissolvable sutures – do not require removal |
| Contraindications | menstruation, premenstrual period, mental illnesses, blood clotting disorders, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, cardiac arrhythmias, active infections, pregnancy |
| Recommendations before the procedure | breast implant removal pre-op.pdf |
| Recommendations after the procedure | breast implant removal post-op.pdf |
This short information doesn’t replace medical consultation in the office.