Breast Implant Removal Surgery

Breast implant removal is surgery to take out saline or silicone breast implants and, in many cases, some or all of the scar tissue that forms around them. Sauk Prairie Healthcare offers breast implant removal at its Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. Dr. Rosaline Reynolds, a plastic surgeon trained at the University of Wisconsin, cares for patients from Sauk City and Prairie du Sac, the greater Madison area, and communities across south-central Wisconsin. Some patients need surgery because an implant has caused a problem, and others have decided they no longer want implants.

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Breast implants are medical devices, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that they are not lifetime devices. The longer implants stay in place, the more likely a complication becomes, and many people will need another surgery at some point. Pain, firmness, or a change in breast shape often prompts a visit. Feeling fine and simply being ready to live without implants is also a good reason to talk with a surgeon.

Reasons People Choose Breast Implant Removal

Implant removal is one of several cosmetic plastic surgery procedures offered at the clinic, and people come to it for different reasons. These are the concerns that most often lead someone to ask about explant surgery, which is another name for implant removal:

• Capsular contracture. Your body forms a layer of scar tissue, called a capsule, around any implant. Sometimes this capsule tightens and squeezes the implant, which can make the breast feel hard, look misshapen, or hurt.
• Implant rupture. A saline implant that breaks usually deflates within days, so the change is easy to see. A silicone implant can break without any symptoms, which is called a silent rupture. The FDA recommends that people with silicone implants have an MRI five years after surgery and every three years after that.
• Shape or position changes. Implants can shift, ripple, or sit unevenly over time.
• Breast pain or discomfort that does not go away.
• A change in preference. Some people want a smaller or more natural look, or simply no longer want implants at this stage of life.

If you have your implant card or records from your original surgery, bring them to your visit. Knowing the implant type, fill, surface texture, and age helps Dr. Reynolds plan the safest approach for you.

Breast Implant Illness and BIA-ALCL

Some people with implants report symptoms throughout the body, such as fatigue, joint and muscle pain, hair loss, and trouble thinking clearly, often called brain fog. These symptoms are commonly grouped under the name breast implant illness, or BII. The FDA recognizes these reports, but BII is not a formal medical diagnosis, there is no test for it, and its cause is still unclear. Research reviews have found that many patients who have their implants removed report that their symptoms improve. However, not everyone improves, and studies have not proven that implants cause these symptoms.

Because conditions such as thyroid disease, autoimmune disorders, and fibromyalgia can cause similar symptoms, Dr. Reynolds may suggest a visit with your primary care provider to look for other causes. Checking for these first helps make sure a treatable cause of your symptoms gets found and cared for.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare cancer of the immune system, not a form of breast cancer. It usually develops in the fluid or scar tissue around an implant and occurs more often with textured implants than with smooth ones. The most common sign is lasting swelling or fluid around the implant, often many years after surgery. A lump or ongoing pain also deserves a prompt exam. When BIA-ALCL is confirmed, treatment generally involves removing the implant and the entire capsule, and some patients also need chemotherapy or radiation. The FDA does not recommend removing implants in people without symptoms solely because of this risk.

Types of Breast Implant Removal Surgery

Implant removal can be done on its own or paired with a second procedure to improve shape or replace lost volume. Your plan depends on the condition of your implants and capsules, your health history, and the result you want.

Implant Removal With Capsulectomy

A capsulectomy is the removal of the scar tissue capsule. In a total capsulectomy, the surgeon removes the entire capsule. In a partial capsulectomy, only part of it is removed, which may make sense when the capsule is soft and healthy. An en bloc capsulectomy removes the implant and capsule together in one piece, along with a rim of nearby tissue, and is the standard approach when BIA-ALCL is confirmed. Removing more tissue can add surgical risk, such as bleeding, so Dr. Reynolds decides how much to remove based on what she finds and what you need.

Implant Removal With a Breast Lift

Skin that stretched to hold an implant may sag or look deflated once the implant is gone. A breast lift, also called mastopexy, removes extra skin and raises the breast and nipple to a higher position. Dr. Reynolds typically stages the lift to three months after implant removal, to see how the skin settles, and to minimize risks such as wound healing issues.

Implant Exchange

Some people want to keep implants but need new ones, often in a smaller size or a different type. During an exchange, the old implants come out, the capsules are treated as needed, and new implants are placed in the same operation.

Fat Transfer

Fat transfer uses liposuction to take fat from another area, such as the abdomen or thighs. The fat is then purified and injected into the breasts to add volume. Because the body may reabsorb part of the transferred fat, the gain in size is usually modest, which suits patients who want a soft, natural result.

What to Expect During Surgery and Recovery

Your care starts with a consultation. Dr. Reynolds will review your health history and implant records, examine your breasts, and talk through your goals. If a rupture is suspected, imaging may be ordered before surgery. Bring your questions, since this visit is the best time to ask them. If you smoke or use nicotine, you will be asked to stop for several weeks before and after surgery, because nicotine slows healing and raises the risk of wound problems.

Implant removal is usually done under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, so most patients go home the same day. Plan to have someone drive you home and help you around the house for the first day or two. Dr. Reynolds typically uses an incision that is hidden underneath your breasts.

After surgery, you will wear a support bra or compression garment to reduce swelling. Small tubes called drains may be placed under the skin for a few days to carry away extra fluid, and the care team will show you how to empty them at home. Soreness, bruising, and swelling are normal and tend to ease over the first few weeks. You will need to avoid heavy lifting and hard exercise for several weeks, and Dr. Reynolds will tell you when it is safe to return to each activity.

As with any surgery, risks include bleeding, infection, fluid buildup, changes in nipple or breast sensation, and breasts that look uneven. Your breasts will also keep changing for several months as the skin tightens and swelling fades, so early results are not final.

Breast Implant Removal With Dr. Reynolds

Dr. Reynolds earned her medical degree and a Master of Science in Translational Research at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her integrated plastic surgery residency at University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison. She is board eligible with the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and a Candidate Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Her practice centers on cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, including implant revision and removal.

Many patients appreciate being able to see a female plastic surgeon for such a personal decision. Dr. Reynolds takes time to understand why you are considering removal and what you hope your body will look and feel like afterward. Most patients are seen for a consultation within about two weeks. Patients travel to the clinic from Madison and the rest of Dane County, as well as from towns up and down the Wisconsin River.

There is no single right answer about whether to remove implants. A good decision usually starts with accurate facts about the implants you have and a realistic idea of how your breasts may look afterward.

Schedule a Breast Implant Removal Consultation

Call the Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Clinic at 608-643-4140 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Reynolds. During your visit, she will review your implants, answer your questions, and explain which removal options fit your goals. The clinic is located at 250 26th Street, Suite 135, in Prairie du Sac, and virtual consultations are also available. No referral is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Implant Removal

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References:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Risks and Complications of Breast Implants.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. What to Know About Breast Implants.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Things to Consider Before Getting Breast Implants.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Breast Implant Removal.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Is Breast Explant Surgery Right for You?

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. BIA-ALCL Frequently Asked Questions.

Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Breast Implant Illness as a Clinical Entity: A Systematic Review of the Literature. 2024;44(9):NP629.

Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. Self-Reported Breast Implant Illness: The Contribution of Systemic Illness and Other Factors. 2023.