After Breast Implant Removal Side Effects -

When you have breast implants removed, some effects may last for several months. These side effects include pain and swelling. However, most women feel better after eight weeks and can go back to their normal routine. If the side effects are severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor about what treatment options would be best for you.

In this guide, we review the aspects of After Breast Implant Removal Side Effects, flat after breast implant removal, rib pain after breast implant removal, and breast implant removal recovery tips.

After Breast Implant Removal Side Effects

After breast implant removal, you may experience some side effects. These are usually minor, but it’s important to know what they are so that you can take steps to avoid them or treat them if possible. Here’s a list of the most common side effects after removing your implants:

Breast Implant Removal Side Effects

After breast implant removal, you may experience side effects. The severity of these symptoms depends on the type of surgery you have and how your body responds to the procedure.

Side effects can be temporary or permanent.
They may be severe or mild.
Side effects may include: swelling, bruising, pain, infection, bleeding.

Swelling and bruising

Swelling and bruising after breast implant removal is common. The swelling and bruising usually begins to subside within a few days, but it can take several weeks to fully resolve.
To reduce swelling and bruising, try applying ice packs to the area for 15 minutes at a time every two hours for the first 24 hours after surgery. Avoid heat (like hot showers) or massaging the affected area for at least 24 hours after surgery.
If you have any concerns about your recovery or if your symptoms do not improve within one week, contact your doctor immediately. They will be able to advise you on what steps to take next and whether any additional treatment is necessary.

Nipple Height

How your nipple looks after breast implant removal depends on the type of implant you had to begin with. The type of implant and how long it was in your body can affect the way your nipple looks.
If you had silicone gel implants, they may have been implanted under the muscle, which makes removing them more complicated than with saline implants. These surgeries are also more likely to result in low or flat nipples because they can stretch out over time when they’re under the muscle—and that’s not good news if you want high nipples!

The changes in breast volume are more severe when the implants are larger.

How much your breasts change after breast implant removal varies from person to person. The larger your implants were, the more noticeable the changes will be. For example, if you had 2 large saline breast implants removed and replaced with smaller silicone gel-filled ones, there may not be much of a difference in volume at all. However, if you had small silicone gel-filled implants put in but want a much bigger size now that you’ve decided to have them removed for aesthetic reasons, you can expect there to be a substantial difference in volume between what they look like now and what they will look like after removal.

One thing that is true regardless of implant size is that removing them will cause some scarring around where they were placed in your body during surgery—whether this scarring affects how much they change or not depends on several factors (see below).

Size of the Breasts After Implant Removal

After a surgeon removes your breast implants, you may have smaller breasts than before. This is because the implant was removed and not simply deflated or retracted (as happens with saline implants). It is important to understand that breast implants are a permanent solution to your breast size issue, so if you choose to have them removed, they must be replaced by another type of augmentation surgery. If this is the case for you, there are several options available for implant replacement:

You can replace your old silicone implants with new silicone ones (the same brand and model).
You can replace your old silicone-gel implants with new saline-filled ones (the same brand and model).
You can replace both of these types of implantation techniques altogether by replacing them with other types of augmentation surgeries such as fat grafting.

Dimpling of the Skin On the Breasts

The dimpling of the skin on the breasts is a common side effect of breast implant removal. It may be caused by scarring or skin stretching, which can occur during surgery to remove the implants. In some cases, it’s permanent and cannot be treated with surgery.

If you’re concerned about your dimpled chest, talk to your surgeon about whether or not she thinks you should undergo additional treatment such as liposuction or fat transfer.

Capsular Contracture, Scarring and Illness from Breast Implants

If you’re looking for information about breast implant removal side effects, you may have found yourself on a site that only lists the positive results of breast implant removal. However, it’s important to know exactly what can happen after removing your implants.

Capsular Contracture: This happens when scar tissue forms around your implant and causes it to be hard and painful.
Scars: Your doctor will use stitches to close up any incisions they make during the operation. Sometimes these scars can look like wrinkles or lumps under your skin after healing has occurred. If that happens, talk with your surgeon about options for treatment such as dermabrasion (to remove the top layer of skin), laser resurfacing (to reduce scars), or fillers (to smooth out wrinkles).
Illness from Breast Implants: The materials used in breast implant shells include silicone gel or saline solution with some kind of filler material inside—either silicone foam or polyurethane foam—and metal shells made from aluminum oxide ceramic (Aloxi) or zirconia ceramic(Ceravision). These materials are inert and safe but there is always a chance for bacterial growth in any wound site unless cleaned properly before closing up incisions after surgery which could lead to serious infections such as necrotizing fasciitis if left untreated .

Lymph Node Irradiation and Geopathic Stress Lines to Treat Breast Implant Illness Symptoms

If you were irradiated for breast implant illness, the following side effects may occur:

fatigue
muscle weakness
poor sleep quality and insomnia

You may have some side effects after removing your implants.

Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure, and like any surgery, it is not without risk. You should be aware that you may need to take antibiotics for a few days after surgery to reduce the risk of infection. You may also experience swelling, bruising, or pain in the area between your sternum (the middle part of your chest) and armpits for several weeks or longer. If you have concerns about these side effects after removal and want more information on how to treat them, talk with your doctor.

flat after breast implant removal

Foreword: Every patient’s medical situation is unique. The information in this introduction is not comprehensive, and may or may not apply to your individual situation. Please speak to your healthcare provider if you are considering explant. Any and all information provided by Not Putting on a Shirt and its representatives is for informational purposes only and should not to be considered as medical or legal advice. Statements should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed physician.

Introduction to Going Flat After Breast Implant Removal

Explant is the surgical removal of breast implants. According to Dr. H. Jae Chun, whose practice is focused exclusively on explant surgery, proper explant also includes complete removal of the scar tissue that forms around the implants (total capsulectomy), and is especially critical in cases where the patient is experiencing symptoms of BIA-AII (breast implant associated autoimmune illness), or ASIA (autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants), both generally referred to as “breast implant illness“).

Note: Autologous reconstruction (breast mounds created from the patient’s own tissue) can also be removed, but this is less common.

Why explant?

Explant rates have increased 10% over the last few years, and that trend will likely continue. Women’s reasons for explanting include, but are not limited to:

BIA-ALCL is Clearly Linked to Implants

Certain breast implants (textured implants, especially those manufactured by Allergan) are clearly linked to a significantly increased relative risk of developing a type of lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Risk estimates vary but have been climbing steadily in recent years. Growing awareness and testing for BIA-ALCL surely contributes to this unsettling upward trend, and it is important to consider both the high level of uncertainty involved in these estimates as well as the fact that the numbers we have today are likely low (due to many factors). These implants were banned by dozens of countries before bring recalled in the US by the manufacturer in July of 2019.

In September 2022, the FDA issued a new warning about other cancers linked to implants, specifically other lymphomas and squamous cell carcinoma.

The Connection to Autoimmune Disease

While acknowledged by the FDA, the connection between breast implants and autoimmune diseases is not yet widely recognized in the medical community. A growing number of women are connecting their deteriorating health after implant reconstruction with the implants themselves – and deciding to explant. These women can face serious pushback from their medical and insurance providers. Why?

The National Center for Health Research’s BIA-AII page explains why these women’s interests are not being served by the status quo:

“Although well-designed large and long-term studies are lacking, for decades women with implants have reported developing autoimmune symptoms that later improved when their implants were removed.

If you already have an autoimmune disease, breast implants could make your symptoms worse. If autoimmune disease runs in your family, you may be at increased risk of developing an autoimmune reaction to breast implants.”

– National Center for Health Research

The link between breast implants and autoimmune diseases is not as clear as for BIA-ALCL, probably for reasons the NCHR delineates in this excellent report. NCHR also has an excellent review of the scientific literature here. The FDA page on BIA-BII is here.

For individual patients suffering from BIA-AII symptoms, many surgeons now believe that removing the implants and capsules to see if their symptoms improve is the right medical course. Dr. Lu-Jean Feng has published several studies, and Dr. H. Jae Chun says that in his clinical experience, 80% of his patients with BIA-AII see significant improvement in their symptoms after explant. These data suggest that for women experiencing BIA-AII symptoms, explanting may be the solution they’ve been searching for.

Are There Specific Risks to Going Flat After Explant?

Quality of life studies on going flat vs. mastectomy with breast mound reconstruction (BMR) are mixed. This means that statistically speaking, BMR offers no clear or significant benefit to women, and going flat presents no harm. We also know that patients tend to overestimate the negative impact of going flat and overestimate their projected satisfaction with BMR. All of these factors suggest that going flat after explant may be the best option for some women.

The Explant Procedure

General Risks. For more information on the risks associated with explant surgery, please see the ASPS page – it presents similar risks to those inherent in any breast surgery, but unique to explant is a small risk of pneumothorax (only for implants placed under the muscle). Talk to your surgeon about your specific risk profile.

Changes in sensation. This is a risk of all breast surgery. Since explant involves both tissue removal and relief of tension on the tissues from implants and scar tissue, women can experience changes in sensation both for the better and for the worse. Some women report numbness, pain, or itching – but others report that their sensation actually improves after explant, and they begin to regain feeling at their chest wall.

Additional surgeries. While it’s an important goal, it may not always be possible at the initial surgery to safely and completely remove the scar tissue that has formed around the implants. There may also be aesthetic reasons for additional surgery – skin contracture and/or muscle changes as a result of the implant removal, for example.

Heads Up: Potential Anatomic Changes From Implants

Pectoral muscles. Most breast implants are placed under the pectoral muscle. This involves some separation (cutting off of the chest wall) of part of this muscle. Ask your surgeon whether your implants are under or over the muscle, and how they approach potential muscle repair during explant. Muscle repair is an aspect of explant that seems to be largely a matter of surgeon preference based on their own clinical experience.

Physical therapy can drastically improve your muscular function after mastectomy or explant. Ask your surgeon or your PCP for a referral. The Lymphedema Association of North America certified physical therapists (find a PT here) are trained in mastectomy massage for breaking up scar tissue as well as general rehabilitation post-mastectomy.

Rib cage. The forces produced by tissue expanders and implants between the pectoral muscle and the rib cage, can cause rib cage deformation – this means that there may be an indentation (concavity) left where the implant was removed. This is usually purely a cosmetic issue that may improve with time. More about concavity here.

Proceeding with Explant Surgery

Insurance Coverage

For more detailed information, visit the National Center for Health Research’s excellent page on insurance coverage for explant.

In the US, the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 requires almost all insurance companies (Medicaid being the biggest exception, where coverage varies by state) to cover all breast cancer related surgeries. This includes explant with aesthetic flat closure. However, your surgeon will have to code for the procedure correctly as a breast cancer related revision surgery and be prepared to deal with any denials and appeals processes.

Patients may encounter a surgeon who is not aware than an explant with aesthetic flat closure is considered a covered revision surgery. If your surgeon is not supportive of your decision to explant, or does not know how to code for the procedure, you may need to find another surgeon.

Find a Surgeon

If your surgeon says that your explant procedure itself and/or your aesthetic flat closure won’t be covered by insurance, and the out of pocket cost is prohibitive (we have seen prices vary from several thousand to over ten thousand dollars), you may want to consider a second opinion.

Our Flat Friendly Surgeons Directory is growing every day, and includes surgeons recommended for explant – you can also filter your search results to show only surgeons who are ALSO listed on the HBII and BII explant lists! (Note: NPOAS is not affiliated with HBII or BII). Note: insurance coverage varies by provider, insurance plan, and also over time.

Aesthetic Flat Closure After Breast Implant Removal

Removal of excess skin

While your explant surgeon will not be able to identify and account for all factors contributing to appearance of the end result, there is one aspect they do have almost full control over: whether or not to remove the excess skin that previously covered the implant. This is where you can advocate for yourself to ensure you receive the best possible aesthetic result.

Unfortunately, some plastic surgeons think the patient will “change her mind” and decide to leave the stretched excess skin behind after the implant removal. This creates a “deflated” appearance that can be deeply upsetting for the patient. The extra skin can be removed with a subsequent surgery, but since many patients who explant are exhausted and concerned with the risk of multiple surgeries related to their reconstruction, most patients just want to be “one and done.”

Let’s be clear: women are allowed to and may change their minds. But this does NOT justify any surgeon’s actions overriding the patient’s clear directive. An aesthetic flat closure typically does not preclude future reconstruction, but it may make it a longer process.

Will my chest be concave?

Whether or not your final chest wall contour includes any areas of concavity is determined in part by surgical technique and in part by your unique anatomy. The removal of the capsules often produces a thinner “flap” of skin over the mastectomy site, which can make any existing concavity of the underlying chest wall structures more pronounced.

Surgeons often assume that patients will have bothersome concavity, but this is often not the case. Patients may wish to wait until after healing from their explant surgery to evaluate their aesthetic outcome and decide whether they want to undergo any additional procedures.

Tissue rearrangement and fat grafting are the two main ways to address concavity at both the initial mastectomy and at explant. Tissue rearrangement happens during the explant procedure and can involve re-purposing excess tissue to “pad” or bulk up the mastectomy site (more about tissue rearrangement here). Fat grafting, which normally involves multiple sessions over a number of months, comes with risks that patients should be aware of before deciding to undergo this additional procedure (more about fat grafting here).

rib pain after breast implant removal

An increasing number of women are opting to have their breast implants removed. The numbers are still dwarfed by those wishing to augment their breasts with implants, but there is some growth in implant removal. This could be due in part to the recent FDA recall and ban on Allergan Biocell textured implants due to their risk of possible development of a type of lymphoma known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Regardless of the reasons, Dr. Leedy helps patients who want to remove their breast implants. He often combines removal with a breast lift for the best aesthetic results.

What is breast implant removal?

Breast implant removal with Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute is a surgical procedure where Dr. Leedy removes a patient’s breast implants from a former augmentation procedure. The implants can usually be removed using the same incision locations from their placement, making for a straightforward procedure.

When Dr. Leedy is removing the implants, if he finds an excessive amount of scar tissue from capsular contracture, he will also remove most of that hardened capsule of tissue. If the scar tissue is still soft and malleable, it will likely be left in place.

What are the common reasons a woman would want to have her implants removed?

There are different reasons a woman may opt for implant removal:

Capsular contracture is the main reason. Capsular contracture is the process of excessive scar tissue forming around the implants causing tightness and pain in the chest. The implants are removed through revision surgery, along with most of the excess scar tissue. Most women opt to have new implants placed, however.

Other women don’t feel they need implants any longer, whether they’ve reached an older age (over 55 years of age, for instance), or whether they’ve come to accept their body without larger breasts. As they reach old age, they’d rather do so without an augmented chest.

Other women are reporting symptoms that have been given the term “breast implant illness.” Although there isn’t any research to specifically link implants to health outcomes, patients anecdotally report these symptoms: fatigue, memory loss, headaches, joint and muscle pain, hair loss, recurring infections, and swollen lymph nodes. At this point, breast implant illness hasn’t been confirmed through research, but some women are worried about the potential and want their implants removed.

There has been confirmation of BIA-ALCL, as discussed above. The incidence has been quite low, but it has led the FDA to require Allergan to remove all textured Biocell implants from the market permanently. The FDA has not, at least at this point, recommended that women with these implants have them removed.

How will my breasts look after my implants are removed?

Some patients assume their breasts will look the same as they did prior to their augmentation, but this is not the case. The weight of your implants will have stretched your breast skin and the support tissues. With larger implants, changes can also occur in the rib area. Without the implants, it’s likely your breasts will be sagging and flattened. They may be asymmetrical.

For most implant removal procedures, Dr. Leedy recommends performing a breast lift at the same time to address these issues.

Is a breast lift necessary after implant removal?

It’s likely that once your implants are removed, your breasts will have many of the characteristics that women seek to correct with a breast lift. That’s why in the majority of cases Dr. Leedy recommends a breast lift as a part of the implant removal process. This is because with a breast lift, he can remove the loose hanging skin, reposition the remaining breast tissue, and likely relocate the nipple/areola complex.

The goal with a breast lift is to return the breasts to a higher position on the chest, which will be important for you to be satisfied with the appearance of your breasts after removing your implants. As mentioned, without a lift, it’s likely your breasts will be quite flat and saggy without the implants. This is especially true the longer you have had implants, and with larger implant sizes.

“Dr. Leedy and staff were wonderful. They were very kind and professional. I was treated with much respect and didn’t hesitate to answer my questions to resolve my anxiety before my procedure. They listen and take the time you need to make sure what is truly best for you. I am extremely happy with my results. Definitely recommend ! 👍” – Jeannieann B.

What will my recovery be like after having my implants removed?

Your recovery will depend upon if you also had Dr. Leedy perform a breast lift at the time your implants were removed.

These are not difficult recoveries if you simply have Dr. Leedy remove the implants. You’ll be sore on the small incisions for a few days, but you won’t have a lengthy recovery. Your chest will feel different without the implants, but it isn’t a sensation of pain.

As mentioned above, however, most patients having implants removed also request a breast lift so they aren’t left with flattened sagging breasts after the implants are removed. Because there is more tissue repositioning and excision of excess sagging skin, the addition of a breast lift makes these recoveries more involved. You won’t be able to lift anything more than a gallon of milk for about one month. Any heavier lifting or strenuous exercise will need to wait for six weeks after a breast lift.

Will I have noticeable scarring after my implants are removed?

That depends. Dr. Leedy will use your original incisions to remove your implants, so obviously this doesn’t create any new scarring. But if he also performs a lift to improve the sagging loose skin, that will create some scarring. The typical incision method for a lift in these cases would be either a lollipop incision (circling the areola and dropping down to the breast crease) or an anchor incision (the lollipop incision plus the incision extends along the breast crease in both directions). The method he uses will be dictated by the amount of sagging skin that needs to be removed. This will leave scarring.

How to prepare for Breast Implant Removal Procedure?

The below-mentioned guidelines will enable the patient to prepare appropriately for breast implant removal: Arrange to have the health records sent from the physician and specialist directly to the surgeon’s office Enlist all medications such as prescription drugs, NSAIDs, blood-thinner, herbal supplements and vitamins that the patient currently uses Get medical tests and mammograms done according to the instructions of the surgeon If the surgeon wants to alter the schedule of any prescription drugs, they will do so in discussion with the prescribing physician In case the patient is a smoker, they will need to quit smoking for the period specified by the surgeon Complete any urgent work-related or household tasks in advance of the procedure to enjoy a relaxed recovery duration Ask a family member or friend or engage a caregiver for assistance during the early recovery period, as required The patient should enlist someone responsible to drive them home following the breast removal plastic surgery

The surgeon’s team may provide the patient with a copy of common surgery instructions or do’s and don’ts to allow her to prepare for her impending breast implant revision plastic surgery. These guidelines may include: Do not use aspirin, ibuprofen, and other blood-thinning meds as well as NSAIDs for a minimum of two weeks prior to the surgery. Do not take vitamin C, vitamin E, homeopathic remedies, herbal medicines, and supplements, for at least two to four weeks prior to the procedure. Avoid wearing makeup, body piercings, jewelry, or contact lenses to the surgical venue. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable shoes, and clothing on the day of the surgery. The top should ideally be front-open as the procedure involves the upper body. Avoid the consumption of alcohol for a minimum of 48 hours before the surgery. In case the breast revision surgery is being undertaken general anesthesia, avoid eating and drinking for eight hours before the procedure. Patients with diabetes should have their parameters evaluated on the morning of the procedure.

How safe is the Breast Implant Removal procedure?

It is necessary to wear the recommended compression bra 24 hours a day until the first follow-up visit after surgery. The garment can be removed for showering but should be worn at all other times. Patients will likely need at least two compression bras to accommodate this amount of wear. Depending on the healing process, Dr. Leedy may advise patients to continue wearing compression for 4 to 6 weeks.

How long will I need to wear a compression bra after Breast Implant Removal?

Are there any risks associated with Breast Implant Removal?

The vast majority of patients who undergo breast implant removal do so with no complications or with minimal post-surgical side effects. That said, all surgeries carry some degree of risk. Breast surgeries, including breast implant removal, carry risks for unsatisfactory cosmetic outcomes as well as infection, bleeding, poor wound healing, asymmetry, fluid or blood accumulation beneath the skin, and nerve damage resulting in nipple or tissue numbness or other changes in sensation.

What are “Cupping” and “Fluffing” and why does this occur?

Cupping is a form of alternative therapy that involves placing specially designed, flexible “cups” against the skin to create mild suction. Cupping is done for many reasons, including to help with pain, inflammation, and blood flow. Some women who undergo breast explantation perform cupping or have this therapy done by a trained practitioner to enhance their healing process. The technique must be done accurately and not before 4-weeks post-op.

Fluffing is the term that is commonly used to describe the natural smoothing and softening of the breasts after any kind of breast surgery. Even after explantation and a breast lift, the breast tissue can be firmer and tighter due to fluid in the soft tissue. As inflammation and fluid accumulation subside, the breasts become softer and more natural-looking and feeling.

breast implant removal recovery tips

Breast augmentation involving implants is still generally considered to be a safe procedure. However, health concerns and even lifestyle changes can cause people to reverse their decision later and to have their breast implants removed.

Women who show symptoms of breast implant rupture may experience medical problems or misgivings associated with the implant. They need to be especially selective of the type of technique used as well as the surgeon for their breast implant removal.

It takes an advanced surgical skill set and training to perform breast implant removal (explant), and this is essential for women who choose to remove their implants entirely. Due to the complexity of this type of implant removal, Dr. Florence Mussat, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, is well qualified to achieve an excellent outcome.

Techniques like the En Bloc breast implant removal procedure is the most complex and sophisticated breast implant removal option. Known as explantation or capsulectomy, this surgery may be the best way to protect the patient from further health complications.

En bloc, meaning “at once, together,” refers to the removal of the implant as well as the scar tissue surrounding it. This scar tissue, known as the capsule, is tissue created when the body encounters a foreign object like a breast implant. All foreign medical devices, including pacemakers, stents and artificial joints draw some scar tissue. Full capsule removal through En Bloc or Total Capsulectomy is often the preferred surgical technique. It reduces the possibility of rupturing the implant or disturbing the capsule.