Breast Implant Removal Surgery Cost & Procedure Guide

Why have breast implant removal surgery?

Aesthetic reasons

The aesthetics of the breast can change due to weight changes, pregnancy, or simply over time. If patients are no longer content with the way their breasts look, breast implant removal procedures can:

• Decrease the size of the breasts
• Improve any asymmetry
• Improve the shape of the breasts

Aged implants

Breast implants are designed to be long-lasting and safe. The surgeon will examine the patient's breasts during the consultation and, if they recommend a revision, patients can choose to have the implants replaced or removed altogether.

Capsular contracture

When breast implants are put in, breast tissue forms a collagen-fibre ‘capsule’ around the implant, a normal part of the healing process. The capsule may tighten. This can cause a change in shape or can lead to discomfort. Breast implant removal surgery is one way to restore the desired size and shape.

PIP scandal

Patients may wish to have breast explant surgery due to health concerns. This may be the case for those who have received PIP Implants. PIP implants contain an unapproved silicone gel and carry a higher risk of rupture. If anyone has PIP implants, they may consider discussing the matter with their GP.

Other factors

• Lateralisation
• Double-bubble
• Gravity effect
• Implant rupture

If patients have implants and are in any discomfort, they should seek medical advice from their GP. Symptoms that may indicate a problem with the implants include swelling or a lump around the breast; a change in the shape of the breast; redness, pain, or a burning sensation.

How much does breast implant removal cost?

Breast implant surgery in the UK varies from £4000 up to £5000. A patient's personalised price for breast implant removal surgery will depend on various factors such as:

• The need for additional procedures such as uplift or a capsulectomy
• Specialist cases that require additional care
• Choice of surgeon
• Choice of hospital

Following consultation, patients shall receive their bespoke price for the breast implant removal surgery that figure will be transparent and absolute.

After a free no-obligation consultation with a surgeon, patients shall receive a complete procedure plan and price. Should they wish to proceed, this breast implant removal surgery price will be inclusive of all:

• Hospital fees, including overnight stays
• Surgeon's expertise
• Anesthestist's experience
• Postoperative appointments
• Any necessary medications prescribed

How is breast implant removal surgery performed?

Consent

Before breast explant surgery, the surgeon needs to get consent to carry out the procedure. It is important to ensure that all patients are fully aware of the operation’s risks and benefits. The surgeon will explain these, but patients should ask and resolve any questions they may have before signing the consent form.

Anaesthesia

Before having an implant removal procedure, patients will meet with an anaesthetist. Breast implant removal procedures will be done under a general anaesthetic, which involves placing the patient into a dreamless sleep with medication. The anaesthetist will ask questions about the patient's health and medical history, prior experience of general anaesthetic, and any allergies.

The procedure

1. The surgeon will, in most cases, make an incision in the same place where the incision was made in the previous procedure.
2. Then the tissue will be divided to reach the implants.
3. The surgeon will need to make incisions in the capsule. The capsule is a fibrous layer of scar tissue that forms around implants. This capsule formation is a normal process that occurs with breast implants.
4. Once the implants are reached and identified, they are then removed from the breast along with the capsules.
5. The skin is then brought together and sutured closed.

What are the limitations of breast implant removal surgery?

Excess skin in the cleavage area

Breasts can naturally droop as a result of ageing as the skin begins to sag. Breast implant removal surgery will not fix this problem. If patients are experiencing this, they may wish to consider having a breast uplift to reshape the breasts. This can often be performed at the same time as implant removal.

Nipple changes

Breast implant removal surgery will not treat any issues in the nipple-areola complex. If patients are looking to alter the size or shape of the nipples or areola, the surgeon may suggest a nipple reduction or nipple correction surgery instead.

Can breast implant removal surgery be combined with other surgical procedures?

Yes, this procedure may be done in combination with other surgical procedures, including capsulectomy and mastopexy, also known as a breast uplift. It can also be a part of a series of personalised procedures called a Mummy Makeover.

How to prepare for breast implant removal surgery

Following a breast implant removal procedure, some everyday tasks or activities may be difficult for some time. Below are some general breast implant removal surgery tips to help you have the smoothest recovery with the best possible results.

• Do a big food shop for nutritious foods before your surgery.
• Prepare and freeze meals to ensure you do not have to worry about cooking.
• Complete your household chores before the day of your surgery; these tasks may be too strenuous or painful in the days after the breast implant removal procedure.
• Reorganise your home to ensure any necessary items are within easy reach. This will help you avoid straining and help the healing process.
• You may benefit from finding someone to help take care of young children or pets for the first week following your surgery. This can help you focus your energy on getting better and allow for a quicker recovery.

Learn more about the importance of planning ahead.

Risks and complications of breast implant removal surgery

Every surgery is associated with some risk. General surgical risks and complications include:

• Blood clots
• Anaesthetic risks
• Allergic reaction to a surgical component (i.e. medical tape)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain

The surgeon and medical team will do everything possible to prevent any breast implant removal complications from developing. Patients may be given medication to help prevent a blood clot, control pain or ease nausea. Compression socks may be prescribed as well as a compression bra to wear after surgery.

Infection

An infection can develop after any surgery. An infection will become apparent in the first two to three weeks in recovery from breast explant.

It is important to contact your surgeon at the first sign of infection.

In most cases, infections are mild and easily treated with a course of antibiotics. However, if allowed to continue untreated, an infection can be a serious breast implant removal complication. Infection can severely impact health and the look of the breast explant results.

if you have any of the following symptoms of an infection, speak to your surgeon promptly:

• A temperature above 38° C
• Redness surrounding your incision that begins to grow and spread out
• Any foul-smelling fluid coming from a surgical wound
• Pain or discomfort that isn’t controlled with painkillers

Disappointment with your results

While a vast majority of patients are very happy with their results after breast implant removal, some may regret having surgery or be disappointed with the look of their results. This is especially true if a breast lift was recommended alongside the explant but was not performed.

Choosing an experienced BAPRAS/BAAPS member surgeon for breast explantation will help reduce this risk. You should also choose a surgeon who can show you before, and after photos for breast implant removal procedures, they have performed previously.

Changes in sensation

After breast explant surgery, patients may experience an altered sensation across their chest. This breast implant removal complication is more likely to happen to the nipples and incision areas.

This is because nerve connections to the skin or breast tissue may have been damaged during surgery, especially if you have a more invasive procedure such as a breast lift included with your breast explant.

Any change in sensation will more than likely return to normal with time as the nerves heal. It can take several months for this to happen. However, in rare cases, nerve damage and loss of sensation can be permanent after breast implant removal.

Tissue necrosis

Damage to the breast tissue’s blood supply is a rare but possible breast implant removal complication.

Tissue necrosis develops when the cells of any tissue die. This can be caused by a loss of blood supply to sections of breast tissue during breast explant surgery.

Necrosis is much more common in smokers as it can damage their blood vessels. Diabetes and a very high BMI also increase the risk of necrosis after surgery.

If you have any of these symptoms of necrosis, contact your surgeon promptly:

• The breast skin becomes very dark or black
• New wounds develop on the breasts
• Your breasts feel lumpy, hard and painful

You may require further surgery to remove and repair the damaged tissue.

Bruising and bleeding

Some bruising and bleeding are to be expected after any surgery, including breast explant.

However, more severe bleeding can occur up to a few weeks after breast explant surgery.

Contact your surgeon as soon as possible if you have an incision that continuously bleeds or if your breasts become very swollen, bruised and feel tight after breast implant removal. You may need another small surgery to stop the bleeding.

Can anything potentially increase my risk of breast implant removal complications?

Outside of preexisting medical conditions, there are a few factors that can increase your risk of developing complications during or after any surgery.

Smoking & nicotine use

Nicotine, which is in cigarettes and other tobacco products as well as many e-cigarettes, is a vasoconstrictor meaning it naturally reduces blood flow.

Limiting blood flow to any tissue during surgery increases the likelihood of complications like tissue necrosis and infection. Limited blood flow may even increase the time it takes you to recover from breast implant removal.

It is strongly recommended to stop any nicotine use and smoking six weeks before surgery. For the best results possible, patients should continue abstaining from nicotine use or smoking for at least six weeks after surgery as well.

How to prepare for breast implant removal?

After surgery, patients will want to relax as much as possible to aid in recovery. Getting things prepared before surgery can help to do this.

Post-op bra

Not every surgery location provides a post-op bra and many patients choose to purchase an extra bra as they are likely to need this for four-six weeks following surgery. Patients should discuss with their surgeon which type of bra is most suitable for their surgery as each patient can need different bras.

Flight restrictions

Surgeons will often recommend patients do not fly for a period of time before and after surgery because of the increased risk of a thrombotic event (blood clot). Exact guidance can vary from patient to patient and their surgery, but generally, patients can expect:

• Not to fly about a week before their surgery
• No short-haul flights for a few weeks following surgery
• No long-haul flights four to six weeks following surgery

Patients must always follow their surgeons’ specific advice as it is tailored for them. If unsure, patients should ask in their consultation or check with their patient care advisor for specific flight advice.

Medication

It is important that patients provide an accurate account of their medication history prior to surgery, including prescription, over-the-counter, and homoeopathic/herbal remedies as many medications can interact and increase the risk of complications from surgery. Any new medicines started must be made clear to the patient’s surgeon if started following their consultation.

Which medications may need to be stopped:

Patients may be advised to stop Aspirin, Ibuprofen or other NSAID products (e.g. Naproxen, Nurofen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin) for up to a month before and after cosmetic procedures. It is vital patients check with their surgeon before taking any of these medications.

Patients taking the contraceptive pill or other hormone medication such as HRT may also need to take a short break for surgery.

Herbal remedies may interact with certain medications involved in surgery, such as St. John’s Wort. It is important the surgeon is aware of all herbal and homoeopathic remedies as well as prescribed and over-the-counter medication.

Household work

It is recommended that patients try to get some of the big jobs out of the way before having surgery. For example, patients may like to do the washing, take out the bins and do a general clean the day before the procedure. This way, patients will hopefully not have to stress or worry about doing these things in the first few recovery days.

Shopping

It is likely that patients will not feel like going to the supermarket to do a food shop in the first few days after the rhinoplasty. Therefore, it is advised that patients do a big food shop and stock up the fridge a day or so before they come into the hospital for the surgery. Patients may even like to make some meals and freeze them. This will mean that they won’t need to worry about cooking for a few days as the nose begins to heal.

Children and pets

To minimise stress levels during the recovery, they may like to organise some family or friends to help look after young children and pets.

Driving

Patients will be unable to drive themselves home after the surgery. They may like to ask a family member or friend if they will be able to drive them home after surgery.

Diet

After the surgery, the BAAPS/BAPRAS surgeon will recommend eating high-protein, low-sodium foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, they should try to stay hydrated with water and caffeine-free beverages. Perhaps consider avoiding consuming high amounts of salt and sugar during the recovery period.

Clothing

Following the breast implant removal, patients should wear items of clothing that fasten easily from the front or the back. Avoiding clothing that needs to be pulled over their head will help to avoid the surgery area.

Sleeping

Patients may find it more comfortable to sleep propped up after surgery, making sure there are plenty of extra pillows. In addition, it is advised that patients rest and sleep in an inclined position on their back for the first few days. This will help to avoid contact with the surgical area and will also help reduce swelling.

The surgeon will give you specific advice on your surgery preparation. Following the surgeon’s advice will help to achieve the results patients desire.

Aftercare & post-operative advice

How long will it take to recover from breast implant removal surgery?

It can take various lengths of time to recover from breast implant removal surgery. It is important to allow your body the time to heal properly to ensure the best results. Patients are often able to leave on the same day as surgery, but sometimes an overnight stay in hospital may be recommended.

A follow-up appointment is scheduled before discharge for around one to two weeks after the breast implant removal surgery. This is a check-up on how everything is healing, and any non-dissolvable stitches will be removed. This is also a great opportunity to resolve any queries and receive more personalised advice and information about recovery.

What can be done to look after the surgical wounds?

Patients should take care of their surgical wounds and any scars to ensure the best possible cosmetic result from the operation. To help the scars heal properly, keeping the scars out of the sun and using a high factor sunscreen if they are exposed is recommended. After the incision is fully healed, patients may wish to use scar gels or have a scar massage to aid the healing process.

What else can be done to ensure the best possible recovery from breast implant removal surgery?

• Patients may be advised to adjust their personal hygiene routine. It is important to keep the scars clean; however, patients may not be able to have a shower or get the treatment area wet for several days after the breast implant removal procedure.
• Limit physical movement for some time following surgery, which may require finding help for washing and cleaning the treatment area.
• Maintain a healthy diet to help recover from breast implant removal surgery: eating high-protein, low-sodium foods and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Wear comfortable clothing after your surgery. Dressing and undressing should be done carefully to prevent you from straining or raising your arms above your head.

Bathing and showering

To promote good healing, keep patients should keep their incisions clean and dry, and inspect them regularly. The surgeon will say when patients can shower and bath again after surgery. The usual advice is to sponge wash only for the first 48 - 72 hours after surgery. When starting to shower again and the incisions are undressed, it is important to wash them gently with soap and water. The white tape (steri strips) should be left in place. They are waterproof and should not come off in the shower.

Patients should ask their surgeon when they can use:

● Bathtubs

● Saunas

● Swimming pools

Breast implant removal recovery timeline

1 - 4 Days

• Sleep upright in bed, supported by pillows to help reduce swelling
• Wear a supportive bra
• Take things easy when you get home
• It is entirely normal to experience some pain in discomfort over these days

5 - 14 Days

• Any pain or discomfort should become more manageable, and the swelling will decrease
• If it helps you, continue to wear a supportive bra
• You may start driving again, only when you are comfortable
• Slowly begin to increase your mobility while still avoiding physical exercise

After 2 Weeks

• You will notice a continued reduction in swelling and bruising
• You should be able to return to work

After 4 Weeks

• Begin gently exercising if you wish, but avoid anything too strenuous
• The appearance of your breasts continue to improve

6 - 9 months

• Scars will begin to soften and fade
• After nine months, the healing process should be fully complete

Patients sometimes report a sense of dissatisfaction with the results of implant surgery in the first weeks or months after the breast enlargement procedure. This is because it takes time for the breast tissue to settle and the bruising and swelling to go down.

Furthermore, it can take up to six months before you will be able to see the final results. As a result, it is suggested that you wait at least six months after having implant surgery before considering having a revision for cosmetic reasons.

Ideally, your surgeon will try to conceal any incisions and use the old ones from your previous operation. However, in some cases, they may have to make new incisions. Your surgeon will make every effort to ensure these are as small and discrete as possible. They will inform you where they plan to make their incisions before you have your implant removal.

This appointment is essentially a health check to ensure patients are suitable for surgery. Many parts of the assessment can be undertaken by the patient via a questionnaire a few weeks prior to the surgery date. Once the questionnaire is submitted, an individual assessment will determine if a face-to-face appointment prior to the surgery date is needed or if the patient can have their pre-op assessment on the same day as their surgery. For some locations, it is routine to have the assessment a few days to a week before surgery. It is vital to attend the pre-operative appointment.

What happens at a pre-operative assessment?

This can vary from location to location but it will generally consist of:

• A questionnaire on physical and mental health, including any medication
• Height and weight measure
• Blood tests
• Blood pressure measure and sometimes a physical examination

Occasionally patients will have an MRSA screen, this consists of taking swabs from parts of the body to check if the patient is an MRSA carrier. The aim of the assessment is to ensure that patients are as fit as possible prior to the operation. Typically patients will only hear back about their results if there is an issue.

This may be appropriate in some cases, as your surgeon will be familiar with your implants and will know how they performed the previous procedure. In some cases, however, it may not be possible or you may not want to use your old surgeon. When choosing a surgeon to perform your implant revision, make sure to use an experienced BAPRAS/BAAPS affiliated surgeon.

Scarring is a part of any surgical operation. It happens as part of the body’s natural healing process and is difficult to avoid. Your surgeon will try to reduce the amount of scarring from the revision procedure. They will try to use the old incisions rather than making new ones. Choose an experienced BAAPS/BAPRAS member surgeon to ensure the best results.

Outside of preexisting medical conditions, there are a few factors that can increase your risk of developing complications during or after any surgery.

Smoking & nicotine Use

Nicotine, which is in cigarettes and other tobacco products as well as many e-cigarettes, is a vasoconstrictor meaning it naturally reduces blood flow. Limiting blood flow to any tissue during surgery increases the likelihood of complications like tissue necrosis and infection. Limited blood flow may even increase the time it takes you to recover from breast implant removal.

This is why Medbelle surgeons strongly recommend stopping any nicotine use or smoking 6 weeks before surgery. For the best results possible, you should continue abstaining from nicotine use or smoking for at least 6 weeks after surgery as well.

Every surgery is associated with some risk.

General surgical risks and complications include:

• Blood clots
• Anaesthetic risks
• Allergic reaction to a surgical component (i.e. medical tape)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain

Your surgeon and their medical team will do everything possible to prevent any breast implant removal complications from developing. You may be given medication to thin your blood, control your pain or ease nausea. You may also be given compression socks or a compression bra to wear after surgery.

Infection

An infection can develop after any surgery. An infection will become apparent in the first 2 to 3 weeks of your recovery from breast explant.

It is important to contact your surgeon at the first sign of infection.

In most cases, infections are mild and easily treated with a course of antibiotics. However, if allowed to continue untreated, an infection can be a serious breast implant removal complication. Infection can severely impact your health and the look of your breast explant results.

if you have any of the following symptoms of an infection, speak to your surgeon promptly:

• A temperature above 38° C
• Redness surrounding your incision that begins to grow and spread out
• Any foul-smelling fluid coming from a surgical wound
• Pain or discomfort that isn’t controlled with painkillers

Disappointment with your results

While a vast majority of patients are very happy with their results after breast implant removal, some may regret having surgery or be disappointed with the look of their results.

Choosing an experienced BAPRAS/BAAPS member surgeon for your breast explant will help reduce this risk. You should also choose a surgeon who can show you before and after photos for breast implant removal procedures, they have performed previously.

Changes in sensation

After breast explant surgery, you may experience an altered sensation across your chest. This breast implant removal complication is more likely to happen to the nipples and incision areas.

This is because nerve connections to the skin or breast tissue may have been damaged during surgery, especially if you have a more invasive procedure such as a breast lift included with your breast explant.

Any change in sensation will more than likely return to normal with time as the nerves heal. It can take several months for this to happen. In rare cases, however, nerve damage and loss of sensation can be permanent after breast implant removal.

Tissue Necrosis

Damage to the breast tissue’s blood supply is a rare but possible breast implant removal complication.

Tissue necrosis develops when the cells of any tissue die. This can be caused by a loss of blood supply to sections of breast tissue during breast explant surgery.

Necrosis is much more common in nicotine users as nicotine can damage their blood vessels. Diabetes and a very high BMI also increase the risk of necrosis after surgery.

If you have any of these symptoms of necrosis, contact your Medbelle surgeon promptly:

• The breast skin becomes very dark or black
• New wounds develop on the breasts
• Your breasts feel lumpy, hard and painful

You may require further surgery to remove and repair the damaged tissue.

Bruising and bleeding

Some bruising and bleeding are to be expected after any surgery including breast explant. However, more severe bleeding can occur up to a few weeks after breast explant surgery.

Contact your surgeon as soon as possible if you have an incision that continuously bleeds, or if your breasts become very swollen, bruised and feel tight after breast implant removal. You may need another small surgery to stop the bleeding.

All of the information found on our website is sourced from highly reputable experts, government-approved authorities and is widely used by healthcare professionals.

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pip-implants/ NHS
• https://baaps.org.uk/patients/procedures/5/breast_uplift_mastopexy British Association Of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
• https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/corrective/capsular-contracture Breast Cancer.org
• https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/corrective/implant-extrusion Breast Cancer.org