Breast Implant Replacement/Removal

Generally, any medical device placed in the human body is not bound to last a lifetime.  This case applies even to breast implants, thus the need to remove or replace them.  Aside from age however, there are other reasons why it becomes necessary to perform a breast implant removal or replacement.  The most common reasons for such a procedure are leakage or rupture of the original implant, the want to change the shape or size of the original implant and due to capsular contracture.  These 3 reasons alone already comprise more than 70% of surgeries for breast implant removal.
Two of the most common breast implants are silicone and saline.  When a woman finds a difference in the shape of her breasts, it might be because one of them leaked.  Leaks from saline implants are quite apparent because the patient’s breasts and body becomes softer when it absorbs the leak.  Silicone gel implants however may go unnoticed when it leaks since leaks are contained in its own pocket or capsule. Capsular contracture happens when the breasts becomes hard, ball-like and distorted.  This can cause the woman some discomfort and pain and the need to be removed becomes urgent.
When having this procedure done, the patient will need only general anesthesia or sedation.  After this, incision will be made under the breast or around the areola to hide the scarring.  Next, the pocket around the breast implant will be cut into and carefully removed.  New ones are then inserted to replace the old implants.  If on the other hand, the patient has no intentions of having her implants replaced, then the pocket or capsule placed around the implant will also be removed.
If the surgery will only be that of a breast implant replacement, the pain experienced by the patient is minimal.  However, if it is only removal, then the need to remove the capsule that holds the implants will cause the patient more pain, similar to that of the initial implants.  The problem with breast implant removal is that the person may be quite disappointed with the shape of the breasts.  Breast asymmetry is almost always certain and getting additional surgery to gain better shaped breasts may be necessary.  Others will require breast lifts instead.  However, regardless of the procedure you will need to undergo, what is truly necessary is to get a reputable cosmetic surgeon that will ensure you safety along with beauty.