Breast Implant Removal in Long Island
Breast implant removal has become increasingly common as more women reconsider the look, feel, or long-term comfort of their breast implants. Whether your decision is driven by physical concerns, implant longevity, or simply a shift in your personal aesthetic, choosing to remove your implants is an important and highly personal choice.
If you wish to restore comfort, improve the appearance of your breasts, and feel that your body shape is more aligned with your current lifestyle, breast implant removal performed at Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, with offices serving Southampton, Smithtown, Woodbury, Scarsdale, New York City, Princeton, and Boca Raton, can help you achieve your goals.
If you are considering breast implant removal or would like to learn more about this procedure, we encourage you to contact our practice at (888) 680-2090. Our staff will be happy to assist you in scheduling a consultation with our team to explore your breast implant removal options so you can enjoy natural-looking, gorgeous results.
- Intro
- What Is Breast Implant Removal?
- What Are The Benefits of Breast Implant Removal?
- Common Reasons to Have Breast Explant Surgery
- Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Implant Removal?
- How Is Breast Implant Removal Performed?
- What To Expect From Your Breast Implant Removal Recovery
- How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost in Long Island?
- Faqs
At Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, we prioritize patient safety and satisfaction above all else. Double board-certified Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS; Jason M. Weissler, MD, FACS; Stephanie A. Cooper, MD; and Jacqueline Ross, MD, are dedicated to providing you with a comfortable and positive experience from start to finish. If you are ready to explore the possibilities of breast implant removal, contact us at (888) 680-2090 to schedule your consultation with us at our New York City location in Manhattan, our office in Scarsdale, or one of our offices on Long Island: Southampton, Smithtown, or Woodbury, as well as Princeton and Boca Raton.
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What Is Breast Implant Removal?
Breast implant removal, also known as explant surgery, is a procedure performed to take out silicone or saline breast implants placed during breast augmentation. The surgery can be performed in several ways, depending on your needs, anatomy, and goals. Some patients simply have their implants removed, while others may need all or part of the surrounding scar tissue taken out through a capsulectomy or an en bloc capsulectomy.
What Are The Benefits of Breast Implant Removal?
Improved Comfort
Removing your breast implants can relieve symptoms such as tightness, pressure, pain from capsular contracture, or systemic symptoms. It can also alleviate discomfort caused by implants that feel too large or heavy for your frame.
Aesthetic Improvements
If an implant shifts out of position (known as implant displacement), it can distort your breast shape and overall silhouette. Implant malposition will not resolve on its own, so implant removal or revision is usually required to improve the appearance of your breasts.
Easier Mammograms
Depending on the implant type you have (saline or silicone) and placement (under or over the pectoral muscle), implants can sometimes make breast imaging more challenging. Once your implants are removed, mammograms may become easier to perform and interpret.
Improved Self-Image
Your preferences and perception of your body often evolve over time. Breast implant removal can help ensure that your body shape and breast size better align with your current lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and physical and emotional well-being.
Common Reasons to Have Breast Explant Surgery
Women seek breast implant removal for a variety of reasons, most of which fall into one of two main categories: resolving complications or changes in personal preference.
Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture is a common complication after breast augmentation that occurs when the scar tissue that naturally forms around your breast implant hardens and constricts. This can distort the appearance of your breasts and cause them to feel hard and uncomfortable. The exact cause of capsular contracture is unknown, though factors like inflammation or bacterial contamination may play a role. When capsular contracture occurs, removing the implant and the scar tissue capsule is typically the most effective treatment.
Implant Failure
Implant failure is a term that refers to a rupture or leak in your breast implant. Saline ruptures are easy to spot because your breast rapidly deflates. Silicone ruptures may be more subtle, as the gel tends to remain inside the implant pocket. Regardless of implant type, a rupture requires surgical removal.
Implant Displacement
If implants are placed improperly or are too big for your frame, they can migrate out of their intended position, which is known as breast implant displacement or malposition. The three most common types of implant displacement include:
- Bottoming out, which occurs when the implant drops below the breast crease.
- Lateral displacement, which occurs when the implant shifts outward toward your armpit.
- Symmastia, which occurs when the implants shift inward, giving the appearance of a “uniboob.”
These implant complications typically require implant removal and pocket repair.
Age of the Implants
Breast implants are not intended to be lifetime devices. While some implants last for many years, most should be removed or replaced around the 10-year mark to prevent leaks or ruptures.
Changes to Your Lifestyle
It’s not unusual for your aesthetic preferences to change over time. Some women may decide they want to change the size or type of their implants, while others may decide to remove their implants permanently. Maybe you want to return to a more natural look, or your larger breasts are hindering you from participating in certain physical activities or wearing your favorite outfits. Weight fluctuations and the natural aging process may also play a part in your decision to undergo breast implant removal.
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Implant Removal?
You may be a good candidate for breast implant removal if you are no longer satisfied with the appearance or feel of your implants. Ideal candidates for breast implant removal include patients who:
- Are in good overall health
- Want to refine the look of their breasts
- Are experiencing pain or tightness due to implants
- Have a ruptured or leaking implant
- Need or want their implant replaced
You should also have a clear understanding and realistic expectations of what can and cannot be achieved with breast implant removal.
How Is Breast Implant Removal Performed?
Breast implant removal is usually performed as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia. Whenever possible, Dr. Greenberg uses the same incisions from your original augmentation to minimize new scarring. He uses several techniques for the procedure, including implant removal alone, an en bloc capsulectomy, or a total capsulectomy. He will choose the implant removal approach that is the safest and most effective for you based on your health and aesthetic goals.
Breast Implant Removal
If implant removal is being done solely for cosmetic reasons, the implant can typically be taken out without removing the surrounding capsule. If you are replacing your implants, the new device may be placed in the existing pocket. You may also choose to undergo a breast lift if the skin on your breasts has stretched over time, causing sagging.
En Bloc Capsulectomy
In an en bloc capsulectomy, the implant and the entire capsule are removed together as a single unit. This technique is preferred when a silicone implant has ruptured, as it helps contain the gel within the pocket. Dr. Greenberg typically uses an inframammary incision and carefully separates the capsule from surrounding tissue before removing it.
Total Capsulectomy
A total capsulectomy removes all scar tissue surrounding the implant but does not require the implant and capsule to be removed together. This method is often used to address capsular contracture, as the entire scar tissue capsule must be removed before the implant can be replaced. In situations where removing all scar tissue might compromise support or safety, a partial capsulectomy may be performed instead.
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What To Expect From Your Breast Implant Removal Recovery
What To Expect From Your Breast Implant Removal Recovery
In most cases, recovery after explant surgery will be similar to your initial breast augmentation recovery. Soreness and tightness are common for several days after surgery, particularly if the capsule was removed. While everyone heals at a different rate, you should plan to take at least a week off work to recover. Any pain or discomfort can be alleviated with prescription or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain medications.
You’ll wear compression garments as directed by Dr. Greenberg to provide support for your healing breasts and help minimize swelling. Avoid strenuous activity—especially chest exercises—for at least four to six weeks or until you’re cleared by Dr. Greenberg. Your specific recovery timeline and activity restrictions depend on the extent of your surgery and whether new implants or additional cosmetic procedures were performed. You will receive more information on recovery and aftercare before undergoing explant surgery.
How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost in Long Island?
The cost of breast implant removal varies based on several factors, including:
- The complexity of the surgery, such as the removal technique used and the correction of implant malposition
- Anesthesia fees
- Facility fees
- Additional procedures, such as implant replacement or breast lift surgery
When you come in for your breast implant removal consultation, Dr. Greenberg will create a personalized treatment plan, and you will receive a cost estimate that reflects your specific requirements. Financing is also available.
Contact
To learn more about breast implant removal, contact Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology today at (888) 680-2090 to schedule a consultation for your breast implant removal procedure in Long Island. Dr. Greenberg and his expert team can answer any questions you may have about the process and can let you know if you are a good candidate.
FAQs About Breast Implant Removal
Yes. If you wish to address sagging breasts or stretched skin, a breast lift can be performed at the same time as your implant removal or scheduled for a later date.
The final appearance of your breasts after implant removal will depend on your skin elasticity, remaining natural tissue, and breast position. Our experienced surgeons perform each explant surgery to ensure that you receive optimal results, so they may recommend undergoing a breast lift or fat transfer when appropriate.
En bloc removal is typically reserved for ruptured silicone implants. Most patients benefit from total or partial capsulectomy instead. When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Greenberg will examine you to determine which technique is appropriate for your needs.
The appearance of your breasts after implant removal depends on several variables. Some women’s breasts “bounce back” and look similar to what they looked like before augmentation, while others may look deflated or sag, especially if the implants were large or in place for many years. A lift or fat transfer can help improve your breast shape and overall appearance.
Yes. Dr. Greenberg can reshape your breasts using your natural tissue and may use fat transfer to further sculpt and refine your results.
Most explant surgeries last one to three hours, depending on factors such as scar tissue, implant rupture, or the addition of other cosmetic procedures.
No. Most cases of breast implant removal involve removing or replacing implants due to complications or the age of the device, neither of which allows them to be reused.
It is recommended that you wait at least one year after your breast augmentation before seeking removal to allow full healing, let your implants settle into place, and for you to get used to your new silhouette.
After implant removal surgery, your breasts will immediately appear smaller, but your final results typically evolve over several months to a year as your tissues recover.
Breast implant removal may be covered by insurance, but whether or not you are eligible will vary according to the insurance company, your specific plan, and their coverage requirements. Implant removal to address complications may be considered “medically necessary” and therefore covered; however, implant removal for cosmetic reasons is not.
Skin stretching over time will typically alter the original contour of your breasts. Fortunately, Dr. Greenberg can recommend strategies (including a breast lift or fat transfer) to restore a more youthful, natural-looking appearance to your breasts.
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