Breast Implant Removal In Tulsa

Why Do Women Remove Their Breast Implants?

Popular motivations for breast implant removal surgery are correcting cosmetic and health concerns that stem from implants shifting over time or the body reacting to the implants. Breast implants do not last a lifetime and the longer you have the implants the more likely they will need removal or replacement to prevent medical and cosmetic complications.

Possible changes in appearance of the breasts that may occur with implants and aging include skin rippling/wrinkling, firmness, asymmetry, change in the position of the implant, visibility of the implant, and drooping of the breast tissue. Further, if the scar tissue around the implants hardens, your breasts may feel unnaturally tough, resulting in significant discomfort. In rare cases, when a breast implant ruptures or leaks into surrounding scar tissue (capsule), surgical removal is necessary to prevent additional health problems.

Breast Implant Illness

For some patients, there may be medical concerns leading to the removal of the implants. Breast implant illness refers to a wide range of symptoms that occur after getting breast implants. It is not an official medical diagnosis and there is continued research being performed to better understand it. Researchers do not know the exact cause, but current research suggests the possibility of an autoimmune or inflammatory reaction to parts of the implant including heavy metals use for the manufacturing of the implant shell or silicone as well as bacterial biofilm on the surface of the implant. People may have symptoms whether they have saline filled or silicone-filled implants. There is no test to diagnose breast implant illness and surgical removal of implants may improve symptoms for some people.

Procedure For Breast Implant Removal

The breast implant removal procedure begins with the administration of general anesthesia. Then, Dr. Kreitzberg will make an incision on your breasts. Typically, the breast implant removal incision is made along the lower breast fold to minimize the appearance of scars afterward. Dr. Kreitzberg will remove the scar tissue around the implants (also known as capsule) along with the breast implants, and this can be performed En bloc. If needed to correct ptosis (sagging) and you are a good candidate, a breast lift can be performed at the same time. Dr. Kreitzberg will determine if a breast lift can be safely performed at the same time as implant removal or at a later time. To address the change in breast volume with implant removal, the implants can be replaced by new implants (saline or silicone gel) or the breast can be enlarged with your own tissue via autologous fat transfer. Lastly, our surgeon will close the small incisions on your breasts with absorbable sutures. In some cases, and only if required, drains will be placed for 1-2 weeks.

Recovery Process

After the procedure, you will have upper body lifting restrictions for 4-6 weeks. However, many patients return to work after one to two weeks of recovery. Typically, breast implant removal patients will feel fully recovered in six to eight weeks. After that time, you can return to strenuous activities. Depending on your circumstances, it may take a year after the surgery for your breasts to fully heal and residual swelling to subside.