TOP BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL SURGEONS IN CHICAGO, IL
Breast Implant Removal by Award-Winning Chicago Plastic Surgeons
“After 17 years I was extremely scared of removing my breast implants. Exceeded my expectations!”
Modern Breast implants have a very high satisfaction rate among women who have them, and a majority of women don’t have any issues with them. However, breast implants are not for everyone, and some women may change their mind or would like to have them removed due to issues like capsular contracture, rupture, movement or other reasons.
At Chicago Breast & Body Aesthetics, we specialize in Breast Implant Removal or Explantation.
It’s often not an easy decision to make, but some are opting to have their breast implants removed. Our caring team and board-certified surgeons will guide you through the entire process to make your implant removal experience a positive one. We will make sure your procedure is done safely and appropriately to give you the best possible outcome. Our hope is that you can be informed and reassured of your decision to remove your implants so that you move on with your life knowing you made the right decision for you!
What Is Breast Implant Removal Surgery?
Breast implant removal or "breast explant" surgery is when your breast surgeon removes your implants. Your surgeon will also remove any scar tissue that has formed around the breast implant if necessary.
Breast implants are medical devices and are not designed to last forever. Many patients can develop discomfort due to their breast implants over time. The most common reasons for breast implant removal are:
- Capsular Contracture
- Rupture or leakage of the implant
- Change in aesthetic preference – desire to no longer have implants
- Pain, discomfort, or unexplained generalized symptoms
breast implant removal
frequently asked questions
What is Capsular contracture?
Capsular contracture is a condition in which the scar-tissue membrane becomes thickened and contracts which can cause the breast to become hard, misshapen, and can even cause the patient pain.
When breast implants are placed, your body naturally responds by forming a protective layer around the implant, known as the implant capsule. This capsule acts as a pocket for the implant. Typically, this capsule is a very thin and nearly see-through layer that doesn't cause any problems, helping to shield your body from the implant. Capsular contracture, a condition where this capsule thickens and tightens around the implant, can happen to one or both breasts. However, it's very uncommon, affecting only about 3-5% of individuals with breast implants.
What happens when my implants rupture?
Breast implant rupture is very uncommon, only occurring in 1% or less of patients with implants.
Having breast implants comes with a small risk that increases slightly the longer you keep them. However, it's rare for problems to occur. If you have saline (salt water) implants and they break, you'll notice right away because they will deflate. The good news is that the saline solution inside is safe and will be naturally absorbed by your body. This saline is just like the fluid doctors give through an IV to hydrate you. If a saline implant breaks, it's recommended to either replace or remove it within 1-2 weeks to avoid issues with the surrounding tissue shrinking around the empty implant.
If you have the newer silicone gel implants, made after 2004, they won't deflate if they break because the gel inside is thick and stays in place. These implants are made to keep the gel contained even if they tear, so it doesn't leak out. The only way to know for sure if a silicone implant has ruptured is by getting an MRI scan because there won't be any obvious signs like deflation. Symptoms of a broken silicone implant might include pain, tightness, or a slight change in shape or feel of the breast, but sometimes you might just feel that something isn't right. If you or your doctor suspects a rupture, it's important to have the implant replaced quickly. At Chicago Breast & Body Aesthetics, our team specializes in dealing with these situations. We can often arrange for your surgery to replace or remove a ruptured implant within a few days.
Breast Implant Removal Video
Have you ever wondered what 29-year-old breast implants look like? Top Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Anh-Tuan Truong performed a Breast Implant Removal and Implant Replacement Mastopexy Breast Lift and Lipo360 (liposuction around the abdomen, flanks, back) to give her a nice flat tummy to complete her amazing Mommy Makeover transformation.
How are breast implants removed?
Breast implant removal requires a surgical procedure to remove the implants. If a patient does not have severe symptoms, signs of capsular contracture, or implant rupture, the implants can simply be removed without the capsule. The capsule may have to be scored or cauterized to encourage closure of the pocket following removal. If the procedure is done this way, there is usually very little discomfort and the recovery is relatively easy. Simple explantation can be done under local anesthesia if desired.
However, if there are significant symptoms including capsular contracture, signs of infection, or believed to have severe BII, then a complete capsulectomy or complete removal of the capsule, and explantation should be performed. This procedure usually requires heavy IV sedation or general anesthesia. When possible, the explant capsulectomy should be done “en-bloc” which avoids opening the capsule or exposing the implant during removal. Total capsulectomy explantation may involve more postoperative discomfort and bleeding associated with more involved recovery process. Sometimes the surgeon may choose to leave temporary drains.
What is recovery like after breast implant removal?
If implants are removed and not replaced, the breasts will lose the volume of the implants. If there is still significant natural breast tissue, then the breasts may still look aesthetically pleasing, albeit less full. However, in patients with very little or atrophic natural breast tissue, the breasts may appear very deflated and the skin may appear very wrinkled and saggy. Some patients with long-standing implants may even show signs of chest-wall deformity due to long-standing pressure from implants. Over a period of weeks to months, the skin will contract to an extent, alleviating some of the wrinkled look, but this may depend on age and quality of the skin. In most cases, patients are pleasantly surprised how aesthetically acceptable their post-explanted breasts can look when given enough time to heal and for the skin to retract.
What is the cost of breast implant removal?
If implants are removed and not replaced, the breasts will lose the volume of the implants. If there is still significant natural breast tissue, then the breasts may still look aesthetically pleasing, albeit less full. However, in patients with very little or atrophic natural breast tissue, the breasts may appear very deflated and the skin may appear very wrinkled and saggy. Some patients with long-standing implants may even show signs of chest-wall deformity due to long-standing pressure from implants. Over a period of weeks to months, the skin will contract to an extent, alleviating some of the wrinkled look, but this may depend on age and quality of the skin. In most cases, patients are pleasantly surprised how aesthetically acceptable their post-explanted breasts can look when given enough time to heal and for the skin to retract.
What is breast implant illness?
Breast Implant Illness or BII, is a term that describes unexplained symptoms that occur in women who have had breast implants. Sometimes the symptoms are signs of implant rupture or implant leakage, but in many cases the implants can show no visible defects.
Common BII symptoms include: joint pain, muscle aches, weakness, generalized fatigue, flu-like symptoms, rashes, hives, itchiness, swollen glands and tissues, hair loss, unexplained infections, chest pain, heart palpitations, hair loss, depression and anxiety, premature menopause or perimenopause, or other unexplained, non-specific symptoms. Some patients may even have diagnosis of autoimmune disorder, viral illness, fibromyalgia, or psychiatric syndromes.
There is no test for Breast Implant Illness so the only way to confirm BII is to remove the implants and document improvement of the symptoms.
Do breast implants cause breast cancer?
There is no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer. In 2011, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported a possible link between breast implants and a very rare form of cancer called ALCL or anaplastic large cell lymphoma. ACLC is not breast cancer and does not grow in the breast itself. Women with breast implants are no more likely to develop breast cancer than women without. There is some argument that breast implants may make breast cancer detection more difficult, but this is debatable and with modern mammography and MRI technology, breast cancer detection is still effective even with implants.
What is ALCL or BIA-ALCL?
ALCL is a very rare form of lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) that occurs in patients with or without breast implants. In 2016, the FDA re-classified cases which occurred in women with history of breast implants as Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). The cancer cells were discovered in the implant capsule or scar tissue around breast implants and not in the breast tissue itself. The FDA also reported that most or all of these cases occurred in patients with textured breast implants. When detected early prior to spread, ALCL is curable with removal of the implant capsule and scar tissue where it resides.
The lifetime risk of developing BIA-ALCL from textured breast implants is estimated to be from one in 4,000 to one in 30,000 which is very rare. Considering 90% of women with modern breast implants have smooth implants and not textured, the association is even more exceedingly rare. Researchers have not been able to directly link the presence of smooth breast implants to increased risk of BIA-ALCL.
Although any association between increased cancer risk in a procedure is concerning, it is important to keep the potential risk in perspective. If you are considering breast implants, it’s advisable to do research and obtain information from credible reliable sources or from your doctor. If you have implants and are concerned, it’s best to attend your regular follow-ups an discuss any concerns with your surgeon.
Read about the FDA statement on BIA-ALCL
What can be done to improve the look of my breasts after implant removal?
After implant removal, some women may want to improve the appearance or size of their breasts without the use of implants. Depending on the issue of volume or ptosis (drooping of the breasts), these options include a mastopexy or breast lift and/or an autologous fat transfer or fat graft. Our surgeons at Chicago Breast & Body Aesthetics are experts in both mastopexy and fat transfers and can offer these procedures to patients after breast implant removal.
Implant removal in Chicago costs between $3000 to $15,000 depending on the extent of the type of anesthesia and extent of the procedure. The cost will be additional if IV or general anesthesia is used, or if a more difficult procedures like total en-bloc capsulectomy, mastopexy, or fat graft are required.
Your Breast Implant Removal procedure can be financed using one of our financing partners including Care Credit. At Chicago Breast & Body Aesthetics, our patient coordinators can assist you obtaining information and applying for financing.
What will my breasts look like after implant removal?
Voted Best of Plastic Surgery In Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Breast and Body Aesthetics is your premier destination for cosmetic procedures of the body, breast and face. Our team is comprised of accomplished and board-certified plastic surgeons, known for their exceptional skills and commitment to delivering outstanding results.
Dr. Anh-Tuan Truong is a triple-board certified cosmetic surgeon, including the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, American Board of Surgery, and the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Truong is the founder and CEO of Chicago Breast & Body Aesthetics and is considered a renowned Skinny BBL, Breast Enhancement, Tummy Tuck, and Mommy Makeover surgeon in Illinois.
Dr. Pey-Yi Kevin Lin is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago who emphasizes tailored care and treatment to each individual patient. Dr. Lin is skilled in both Plastic and Reconstructive surgery trained under nationally renowned aesthetic and reconstructive surgeons, gaining valuable insight and an unparalleled experience with stunning results. Dr. Lin's specialty lies primarily in Breast and Body Contouring including Liposuction & Breast Enhancement, and Breast Reduction.
Dr. John D. Rachel, a distinguished figure in the realm of facial plastic surgery, holds four board certifications: Facial Plastic Surgery, and by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, and Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery). Dr. Rachel is known for his facial rejuvenation results and specializes in Rhinoplasty, Face Lift and Blepharoplasty procedures. He is also esteemed as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, indicating his profound commitment to medical excellence.
Dr. Miami Squad Members in Chicago, Illinois: A New Era in Cosmetic Surgery
Dr. Anh-Tuan Truong and Dr. Kevin Lin have joined the Dr. Miami, a renowned group of elite surgeons, ushering in a new era of excellence in the plastic surgery industry to Chicago, Illinois. Together, their combined expertise, talents, and innovation allow patients to benefit from the highest standards of care and stunning aesthetic results.
Breast Implant Removal Before & After Gallery
Seeing is believing and our before & after gallery is second to none, with thousands of surgeries, and zero serious complications, it’s no wonder our Chicago Breast & Body surgeons are among the Top Breast Implant Removal surgeons in Chicago.