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Breast implant removal: A guide to surgery and recovery

You may be looking to get breast implant removal for many reasons. Perhaps your body, lifestyle, or aesthetic has changed, and you’d like to remove your implants completely. Or you might be exploring breast implant revision surgery to replace your current implants. 

No matter the circumstances, it’s helpful to have a clear idea of how breast implant removal works. Our guide is here to walk you through both the surgery and recovery so you know what to expect when you book your breast implant removal.

Why might you want to remove breast implants?

Every person’s relationship with their body and their breast implants is different. Some of the most common reasons for going implant-free include:

  • Health reasons: Although complications are rare, they can arise after breast augmentation, and this may be a reason to look into implant removal. Issues can include ruptured breast implants or discomfort due to breast surgery scar tissue.
  • Cosmetic reasons: You may find that the look of your breast implants isn’t for you any more. You might want to go for a different size or feel that your implants are sagging. Perhaps one implant has shifted, creating breast asymmetry.
  • Lifestyle and comfort: Some people find that, as their lifestyle changes, their implants are no longer suitable. For example, if you take up a sport or become very active, your breast implants might get in the way or become uncomfortable.

    Similarly, if you notice back or neck pain, it could indicate your breast implants are now too heavy.

    Another factor may be cost — if your lifestyle has changed, you may feel you don’t have the finances to replace your implants every 10 to 15 years.
  • Psychological or emotional effects: Some people may feel that implants no longer align with their sense of self, and this can create distress. If you were unhappy with the results of your breast augmentation in the first place, this can also have an emotional impact. 

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you want to breastfeed, you may feel more comfortable removing your breast implants.

What happens during breast implant removal surgery?

Your reasons behind breast implant removal will also affect the type you go for. This could be:

For the explant part of the surgery, you can usually expect the following process.

Step one: Consultation

A consultation is the first step of any breast surgery, and it’s essential for getting the best results. It’s your chance to explain the results from implant removal and for your surgeon to ensure you’re a good candidate for the surgery. 

They’ll also be able to show you some breast implant removal before and after photos so you can feel confident that they’re the right surgeon for you.

Step two: Preparation

As with any other breast surgery procedure, there are a few key ways to prepare for going into the clinic for explant surgery.

We always recommend that you stop smoking or vaping at least four weeks before your surgery. 

The night before your explant surgery, it’s helpful to wash your chest, abdomen, and underarms with antibacterial soap and avoid any deodorant or perfumed cosmetics. Your surgeon may also advise you not to eat on the morning of your surgery day — but always double-check.

Step three: Anaesthesia

You’ll undergo general anaesthetic for breast implant removal surgery. When you get your procedure with Adam Critchley, you’ll be in the safe hands of Dr Adnaan “Billy” Qureshi, our Consultant Anaesthetist and a key member of the team. He’ll guide you through the process and make sure you’re comfortable.

Step four: Breast implant removal

To remove your breast implants, your surgeon will make careful incisions along your breast crease or around your areola and then take the implant out, along with any scar tissue.

If you’re having new implants fitted, these will be placed inside now. If you’re going implant-free, your surgeon may sculpt the breast tissue and skin to create a lifted shape.

Step five: Closing the incisions

Your surgeon will then neatly sew up the incisions, and you’ll return to the ward to recover.

How long does breast implant removal usually take?

All in all, removing breast implants usually takes between one to three hours.

What to expect after breast implant removal

After waking up from the general anaesthetic, your chest may feel a little tender. As part of our enhanced recovery service, your surgeon, Adam Critchley, will be on hand to answer any questions and ensure you are healing as you should be. He will check in on you before you’re discharged and arrange follow-up appointments on Days 8 and 15 after your procedure.

What will my breasts look like after implant removal?

There will usually be some swelling, so you may not be able to see the full results for a couple of weeks.

If you’ve had your implants removed and aren’t adding any new ones, your breasts may seem to sag. When you had your augmentation, the skin then had to stretch to accommodate the implants, so it can take a bit of time for it to adjust back. As skin ages, it loses elasticity and may not fully recover, leading to sagging of the breast. Tightening the skin envelope at the same time (mastopexy) can help avoid this.

Will breast implant removal leave scars?

Breast surgeons usually try to use the scars existing from your breast augmentation, so you shouldn’t end up with new scars after implant removal.

What is the recovery period for breast implant removal surgery?

Breast implant removal recovery usually takes around six weeks. We recommend taking at least one week off from work so you can rest up — if you have a desk job or similar, you may feel well enough to return after this time. However, if you have an active job, you might need to take at least two weeks off.  

Take a look at our breast implant removal page for more advice on recovering after your explant surgery.

Breast implant removal with Adam Critchley

As one of Newcastle’s leading Consultant Breast Surgeons, Adam Critchley is well-placed to provide high-quality explant surgery. From your initial consultation to your follow-up appointments, you’ll be well cared for. 

Learn more about our breast implant removal cost options, and please get in touch to arrange your consultation.