Breast Implant Removal Without Drains is an option for patients who want to get rid of their breast implants but think that drains will create an obstacle during the recovery process. Drainless breast augmentation or breast implant removal without drains is a non-invasive surgery that uses a technique called tumescent liposuction to remove the excess fat from the body before and after the operation.
In this guide, we review the aspects of Breast Implant Removal Without Drains, after breast implant removal side effects, breast implant removal recovery tips, and are drains necessary for breast implant removal.
Breast Implant Removal Without Drains
Have you ever had breast implant removal and wondered what it would be like to have a procedure without having drains? I’m sure we all have. While every woman’s body reacts differently, there are some cases where it is possible to remove certain breast implants with no drains. In this article, I’ll discuss why drains are used during surgery and whether or not they can be avoided in your case. Then, I’ll walk you through the experience of having an implant removal without drains and explain what recovery is like for women who choose this option.
Why are drains used in breast implant removal?
In a breast implant removal, when the implants are removed, they leave behind space in your body. If that space isn’t filled with something else or if there is any movement of the tissues around it, fluid can build up and cause pressure on your internal organs. Drains also help prevent infection by keeping contaminants out of areas where they could grow (and cause problems).
Drains are also used to minimize blood clots from forming after surgery. If you have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy and drains have been placed, this may be due to one or more of these reasons:
- Preventing fluid from building up in the body
- Preventing infection
- Preventing blood clots
Why are drains sometimes not used in breast implant removal?
Why are drains not always used during breast implant removal?
- Because the implants can be removed in a way that prevents bleeding, you may not need the drain.
- Some women have had their implants for many years and are ready to get them removed. In these cases, removing all of the saline or silicone gel from your body could mean that it would take longer to recover than if only some of it were left behind in your breasts.
- Sometimes scar tissue has formed around an implant, which can make it difficult to remove without causing excessive bleeding. If this happens, you may need drains after surgery so that your doctor can monitor how much blood you’re losing during surgery and make sure enough blood is flowing back into your body afterward.
What does the experience of having breast implant removal without drains entail for me?
Having your breast implants removed without drains will remove the need for incisions and incisional scars. This means that you will have no visible scars on your breasts and minimal scarring anywhere else on the body. You won’t experience any pain, swelling or bruising during recovery, or for that matter any other side effects such as numbness or sensitivity in the area where the implant was placed.
What does the recovery process from a breast implant removal without drains look like?
The recovery process is about the same as it would be if you had drains placed. A small scar will be visible, but it should fade over time.
It can take three to four weeks before you feel completely normal again. You’ll start by wearing an elastic bandage and some padding, which your doctor will remove after a few days. Then you’ll probably have some bruising and discomfort for a couple of weeks after that.
You shouldn’t need any pain medication or antibiotics during this time—if you do, talk to your doctor because something could be wrong!
But most importantly: no drains! This means no second surgery and no having to worry about infection or any other complications from drainage tubes (which are pretty serious).
It is possible to remove certain breast implants with no drains.
As we mentioned, many women are concerned about the possibility of complications from having breast implants removed. One possible complication is infection, which can be caused by a surgical site that’s not properly cleaned before surgery. Another concern is the use of drains—tubes inserted into the incision after your breast implant removal to help drain fluid from around and near your incision. While this might sound like something worth avoiding at all costs, it’s important to know that drains aren’t always necessary in breast implant removal surgery.
Drains don’t always need to be used when removing certain types of implants—namely saline-filled or silicone gel–filled implants made with smooth shells that don’t have wires or textured surfaces inside them (the latter are more likely than others to cause complications). Most doctors will still recommend using drains with other types of implants because they generally offer more protection against leakage than alternative methods like sutures alone do; however, some surgeons feel comfortable cutting down on complications by using no drains at all when removing these particular kinds of protective shells around their patients’ breasts’ natural tissue structures.
after breast implant removal side effects
A cosmetic surgical procedure, like breast implant removal recovery any form of surgery, is a collaborative procedure. Sure, your surgeon brings their skills, knowledge and expertise (quite literally) to the table, but the patient also has a role to play. It’s up to them to look after their bodies both leading up to the breast implant removal surgery and prior to the surgery. Any cosmetic surgeon worth their salt knows that their responsibility to the patient does not end the moment they leave the practice. Far from it. Every surgeon has a responsibility to ensure that their patient receives the very best aftercare and is given all the information and guidance they need to make a speedy and effective recovery that helps them to get the cosmetic results they need.
This is true of any cosmetic procedure and certainly applies to a breast implant removal. There are many reasons why a woman may have second thoughts about her breast augmentation. She may be disappointed that the results of her prior procedure were not what her surgeon had promised her. She may have begun to experience capsular contracture (this is where the scar tissue around the breast tightens leading to pain, tenderness and distortion of the breast shape). She may need to change the size of her breasts via a breast revision procedure or she may even experience leakage of her implant and need to have it removed for her safety.
Nonetheless, even if she has resigned herself to the fact that a breast implant removal is the right thing to do, she may still have a great deal of trepidation. She may worry that it might take a long time to heal and that she may not be able to return to her normal life. Here we’ll look at how long it takes to recover from a breast implant removal and what you can do to ensure that you heal as quickly and effectively as possible.
How Long Does It Take To Heal After A Breast Implant Removal?
Before we address this question, it’s important to remember that there is a difference between how long it takes for your body to heal enough for you to live your normal day-to-day life and how long it can take until you start to see the desired results.
Usually, there will be a sizeable discrepancy between the two. However, for both it is important to follow your surgeon’s personalized instructions for a safe, healthy and speedy recovery as well as cosmetically optimal results.
It’s important to note that every woman is different and as such it’s hard to make hard and fast assertions when it comes to recovery time. Your surgeon will be able to tell you;
Following a breast implant removal procedure your incision wounds will be sutured and dressed and drains will be fitted which can usually be removed after 2-3 days.
Your surgeon will likely recommend that you not return to work and remain as relaxed as possible for at least a few days. Your surgeon may prescribe some pain medication to help keep you comfortable. It’s important to take these as pain (as well as other forms of stress) can slow down the healing process. Your surgical incisions must not be subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion while they are healing. For this reason it is not recommended to return to the gym or undergo strenuous exercise or sports for 4-6 weeks.
Most patients are usually able to return to work following a breast implant removal after a week or so. However, this may vary depending on the nature of your job and how physically active it requires you to be.
When Can You Expect To See The Results & What Can You Expect?
While you can expect to return to your normal life within about a week and return to the gym or sports within 6 weeks it can take substantially longer to see the final results. In most cases it can take up to a year for all the tissues to fully heal following your surgery and you can expect to experience swelling and fluctuation in your breast size and shape even after your surgical incisions have fully healed. When your breasts are fully healed it’s important to bear in mind that they may still look different to how they did prior to your surgery.
The final results of breast implant removal surgery depend on a number of factors. They depend mainly on;
In some cases the breast tissue may be thin as a result of having implants for an extended period of time. Thus, you may feel that the results are not as cosmetic as you may have hoped or look very different to the initial appearance of your breasts before their augmentation. In some cases, it may not be possible to achieve the most cosmetically optimal results with a single procedure and additional surgery may be necessary.
In the majority of cases, however, a successful surgery and a satisfactory result is achieved so long as the surgeons instructions are followed.
Is There Anything I Can Do To Heal From Surgery More Quickly?
As previously stated, it’s important to give your incision scars plenty of time to heal before undergoing strenuous exercise or returning to the gym. It’s also important to reduce stress in your day-to-day life as much as possible. This is because psychological stress can be extremely tough on your body and can actually slow down the healing process. As previously stated, this is why effective pain management is also very important.
Your diet is also an important way to boost your chances of a speedy and effective healing process. Your body is much better able to repair damaged tissue when it has the nutrients it needs to do so optimally. As such, you should ensure that after surgery your every plate contains nourishing foods like;
Meanwhile, processed foods should be avoided (especially processed meats which are type 1 carcinogens). Dairy products can also exacerbate post-surgical constipation and should be phased in gradually.
Can Complications Arise From A Breast Implant Removal?
As with any surgical procedure, there is always a low risk of complications. Complication rates for breast implant removals are generally less than 1%. Nonetheless, be wary of any surgeon who tells you that there is no risk entailed in a breast implant removal.
Some complications that may arise include;
Is There Anything I Can Do To Reduce The Risk Of Complications?
Absolutely! The most important thing you can do to avoid complications is to follow your surgeon’s personalized advice post-surgery. It’s absolutely imperative that you follow your surgeon’s instructions following your procedure as this will go a long way towards reducing your risk of complication and maximize your chances of getting the desired cosmetic results.
For example, you will likely be asked to wrap your chest wall for a week or so after your surgery to keep the tissue compressed. This is an extremely important step as keeping the affected tissues compressed will help your new body shape to heal properly, in a smooth and even way.
It’s also very important to ensure that you avoid stress and strain as mentioned above and maintain a clean, healthy diet and a relaxed lifestyle.
Why You Can Trust Doctor Nir
Entrusting a surgeon with your breast implant removal procedure is not a decision to be made lightly. We’ve seen how important aftercare and the right personalized post-operative instructions are in facilitating better and faster healing. Doctor Nir and his support team are dedicated to providing the personal touch as well as a combination of outstanding surgical talent and cutting-edge technology.
Doctor Nir MD FACS is a Board Certified Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon with almost 20 years of experience in Aesthetic Surgery of the Face, Body, and Breasts. His meticulous approach, passion for perfection and genuine care for all of his patients have built a thriving medical practice.
If you’re ready to talk to us about a breast implant removal procedure call us today on 561-899-8118, or you can click here to get in touch with us digitally.
breast implant removal recovery tips
Breast implants are a great solution if you want to make breasts bigger and perkier. They can fix breast asymmetry and restore a younger and tighter breast contour. Nevertheless, the day might come when you’ll need or want to bid your implants farewell. There are a variety of reasons to undergo Breast implant removal. Capsular contracture, implant leak, or malposition can all happen years after you get your breast augmentation. You can either replace your implants or remove them without replacing them.
Either way, a good recovery after breast implant removal is essential for a great result. Like it is the case with other Breast procedures, you can expect some level of breast discomfort, bruising, and swelling. After 3-4 weeks, you should be able to return to your normal daily routine.
Dr Jeremy Hunt is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with cosmetic clinics in Sydney and Wollongong NSW. He has performed hundreds of breast procedures in over 20 years of practice. Dr Maryam Seyedabadi has recently joined the practice of Dr Jeremy Hunt in Edgecliff and is available now for consultations on a range of plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery for women by women.
Preparing for Breast Implant Removal
After your breast implant explantation, you will need to spend a few days at home resting. You will need to limit your physical activity. In fact, you won’t have much energy to pursue many activities.
This is why it is important to plan and prepare your recovery period before you have your breast implants taken out. Here are a few things you can do to prepare:
What to Expect During Recovery after Breast Implant Removal
So, what will recovery be like after you have your breast implants removed? Will it be painful? How long will it last? Removing breast implants is not a procedure as invasive as breast augmentation, for example. Sure, it does include tissue dissection, however, most of the cut tissue is fibrous (scar) tissue and contains no blood vessels. Nevertheless, an explant procedure is still a complex surgery that causes tissue injury. Therefore, it is normal to have some side effects after.
Normal symptoms that you should expect after your implants are taken out include:
1. Minor Pain and Discomfort
2. Breast Swelling
3. Bruising
4. Numbness or Tingling
Tips for the Recovery after Breast Implant Removal
We’ve put together a list of tips and advice to help you recover faster after the removal of your breast implants. These aftercare tips will help speed up recovery and prevent complications:
1. Wear your surgical compression bra as instructed
2. Sleep on your back
3. Get a recliner
4. Avoid smoking and vaping
5. Be prepared
Dos and Don’ts for Recovery after Breast Implant Removal
Below is a list of DOs and DON’Ts after breast implant removal:
DON’T: Things to avoid
DO: Things to Do
A Timeline for Recovery after Breast Implant Removal
So, what will the weeks after your explant be like? To answer this question, here’s a detailed week-by-week recovery timeline with all the info you need to know:
Early Days – Right after the Explant Surgery
After you wake up, it is normal to feel tired and a bit dizzy after surgery. You might have a couple of thin plastic drains coming out of your breasts. These are to prevent fluid and blood collection and Dr Hunt will remove them after a few days.
are drains necessary for breast implant removal
Following your procedure, a surgical drain may be required to prevent a build-up of fluid the body naturally produces in the early stages of healing. If your drains are not removed while you’re in hospital, it may be required for you to discharge from hospital with the drains in place.
What are surgical drains and how do they work?
The surgical drains used by both Dr Moncrieff and Dr French are a silicone rubber tube, inserted into the body through a small incision made close to the wound. At the external end of the drain, a small bulb collects the excess fluid, which is then periodically measured and emptied. After the bulb is squeezed empty, the seal is closed, creating a gentle suction to help pull more fluid into the bulb again.
Your surgical drain will draw out serous fluid and some blood from your surgical site, allowing your wound to heal together efficiently. If this fluid is left to accumulate and is not drained, it essentially takes up too much space and prevents the wound from healing back together. Surgical drains help to minimise risk of infection and help to prevent common post-operative fluid collections, such as seromas and haematomas.
Which plastic surgery procedures require surgical drains?
Generally smaller breast surgeries, like standard breast augmentations or smaller lifts do not require drains. However, most of our larger breast and body procedures require drains. These procedures include:
Where will the drains be located?
Drain placement varies depending on the procedure and your surgeon’s preference. For most breast procedures, a drain is placed just under the armpit on either side of the chest. For a tummy tuck, two drains are inserted just below the suture line through the mons pubis area. For larger procedures such as a lower body lift, up to six drains may be required.
When can I have my drains removed?
For surgical drains to be ready for removal, you must be draining under 40mls in a 24-hour period.
How long do i need to wait for drainage after breast and tummy tuck surgery?
For breast reduction and lift patients who are staying in hospital overnight, the drains will likely be removed the day after surgery before you are discharged. For implant revision or tummy tuck patients, you may be discharged with your drains still in place. Your surgical drains may remain in place for anywhere between 3-10 days.
Once your drains are collecting less than 40mls in a 24-hour period, please call one of our friendly team a call on 4920 7700 to schedule your drain removal appointment with our nursing team.
How do I track how much I’m draining?
The easiest way to track how much fluid you are draining is to use a log like the one below. You will be provided with a printout copy upon discharge.
My drain site is leaking! Is this normal?
Yes! It is not uncommon to experience some leakage around the drain site. If this occurs, you can use an absorbent dressing to reinforce the existing dressing. The most important thing to note here is whether the drain itself is still collecting fluid. If you notice your drain does not seem to be collecting fluid, please alert the hospital staff or our nursing team after discharge.
Once the drains are removed, you may still have some fluid escape through the drain site. This is completely normal and will subside over the following days.