Why Do Women Get Their Breast Implants Removed?

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Many women undergo breast augmentation surgery and remain happy with their implants for many years. However, some become unhappy with their breast implants for a variety of reasons and choose to have them removed.

This decision may be medically or aesthetically motivated.

Medical Reasons to Have Breast Implants Removed

• Rupture and capsular contracture
• Implant complications including rupture or displacement
• Regrets about choosing implants that are too large or too small
• Symptoms that may be related to “breast implant illness”

BII (Breast implant illness) refers to a constellation of symptoms that include headaches, fever, chronic pain, and other health issues that some women believe may be related to their implants.

When other causes for these symptoms have been ruled out, some women choose to have their implants removed, and in some cases, symptoms are improved. 

In cases of capsular contracture, scar tissue surrounding the implant becomes too thick and constricts around the implant, causing pain and aesthetic distortion. Breasts feel hard, and implant removal may be required. This procedure is generally undertaken as an explant and capsulectomy surgery or en bloc capsulectomy.

During this surgery, the scar tissue and implant in each breast are removed, the area is cleaned, and the incisions are closed. 

A breast lift procedure can be added after your explant surgery to lift and reshape the breast tissue for a perkier, more natural appearance.

Aesthetic Reasons to Have Breast Implants Removed 

• To increase or decrease implant size
• Reasons relating to changes in breast shape due to aging
• The patient no longer desires to have implants 

Cultural changes and personal preferences may dictate a desire to decrease or increase a woman’s breast size. 

A person’s professional status or age may also play a role in this decision. Whatever the reason, changing her mind has always been a woman’s prerogative and remains so to this day.

When decreasing the size of the implant or removing it altogether, a breast lift may be recommended to avoid any sagging that can result from the stretching of breast tissues. 

If the age of the implants becomes an issue, or they no longer enhance the breasts as before due to time and gravity, a woman may opt to have their implants removed or replaced, and their breasts reshaped with a lift.

Breast Implant Removal or Replacement

The number one complaint among younger women who have received breast implants is that they feel they are too small, so they choose to increase the size of the implant. However, many women, who originally wanted large breast implants, found that as they aged and entered menopause, their implants became uncomfortable. 

The decision to remove breast plants altogether is a personal one and depends on many factors. For some women, removing or replacing them with a smaller size is the best solution. 

Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon to Remove or Replace Your Breast Implants Near Phoenix

Dr. Robert Spies is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a highly-skilled plastic surgeon who performs cosmetic and reconstructive breast procedures, including explant and capsulectomy surgery in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Call Arizona Surgery Center today at 480-359-1019 to learn more or schedule an in-depth consultation with Dr. Spies.

Find more information about rupture and capsular contracture on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website.