Breast Implant Removal, Revision, or Exchange
Switch My Implants Please!
Do I Need New Implants?
Figuring out whether or not you need to switch or remove your implants can be confusing. Sometimes, the answer is clear. If you have a complication, an infection, or pain, it may be obvious that something should be done. If not, and it’s just a matter or how long they have been in, this may be less obvious.
There are many reasons why patients switch out their breast implants. Sometimes there is a problem, sometimes they want a size change, sometimes they had a body change, and sometimes there is just a newer device they would prefer. Dr. Bartsich manages all types of breast augmentation revisions, breast implant removals, and breast implants switches on a regular basis. She is well versed in capsulectomy and pocket restoration procedures, which are sometimes required in cases with ruptures or contractures. If you are not sure whether or not you need a change, please arrange a consultation. Implant-based surgery does require maintenance in the best interest of implant and patient alike.
Should I Remove My Silicone Implants?
Silicone implants have a long and less-than-perfect history, including having been taken off the market in the 1990s because of safety concerns. While they have been back with us for a while now in many forms, new and old issues continue to arise, and we find ourselves asking the same question all over again: Are silicone breast implants safe?
In the last few years, I have transitioned from using silicone to a structured saline implant called IDEAL. For me, the choice is simple: if you have a potentially safer and equally aesthetic alternative, why not use that. This move has also been the result of years of practice, wherein I noticed that some patients simply do not tolerate the silicone. Add to that issues of silent rupture and what we know about free silicone in the body, and there seems to be cause for potential concern.
New and recurrent safety concerns have prompted physician and lawmakers to revisit this issue. On March 25th-26th 2019, the FDA held a formal hearing on the safety of medical devices such as silicone breast implants. While the outcome of this session yielded no change in formal recommendations, one manufacturer of textured implants finally recalled their devices in July of that year.
If you want to remove or switch out your implants, consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Keep in mind that the capsule that forms around the implant may also require removal, and this should be discussed and decided with your doctor. Make sure that your surgeon is well versed with the issues associated with breast implants, and offers you comprehensive options and an effective surgical plan. While breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries in the United States year over year, we are likely on the verge of a paradigm shift. Let’s talk more.
Should I Get Rid of My Implants Completely?
While many patients do well with breast implants, a small percentage of them may have a bad reaction. This may manifest in fatigue, auto-immune disorders, or other symptoms that are not specific to breast-implant associated illness. It is important to know that the medical community continues to study this phenomenon, and many questions remain.
There is today no test that can determine whether or not you will have a bad reaction to your implants, nor whether you are having one with the implants already in place. An experienced surgeon who has treated patients for this condition is your best bet for guidance and advice. Importantly, should you choose to remove your implants completely, find a board certified surgeon with experience in tissue rearrangement who can give you the optimal aesthetic outcome once the implant is removed. The effect that implants have on breast tissue and skin, especially after many years of wear, may distort and thin tissues requiring structural rebuilding. Call for you consultation.