Top breast implant removal surgeons in Chicago

Breast implant removal requires surgery. If there are no severe symptoms, the implants can be removed while leaving the capsule in place (simple explantation), which can be done under local anesthesia with minimal discomfort. For patients with symptoms like capsular contracture or suspected BII, a complete capsulectomy (removal of both implant and capsule) is recommended, often performed “en-bloc” under general anesthesia.

Capsular contracture is a condition where the normal scar tissue that forms around breast implants becomes thickened and contracts. This can cause the breast to feel hard, appear misshapen, and sometimes cause pain. It is the most common complication of implant-based breast surgery, with an overall incidence of 10.6% reported in a published review, so most women with implants do not develop it. When it does happen, the standard treatment is surgery to remove or release the capsule (capsulectomy or capsulotomy), which our surgeons perform as part of breast implant removal.

Source: Headon et al., Archives of Plastic Surgery, 2015

Rupture rates are very low in the first years after surgery and begin to increase after 6 to 8 years; one published review reports a 10-year rupture rate of 9.3% for primary breast augmentation with round silicone implants. With saline implants, you’ll notice immediate deflation, but the saline is safely absorbed by your body. Silicone implants (made after 2004) maintain their shape if ruptured as the gel stays in place. A rupture without symptoms can still be found with routine imaging: MRI is the most effective method for detecting a silent rupture, and ultrasound is an acceptable alternative for screening patients who have no symptoms.

Sources: Hillard et al., Gland Surgery, 2017; U.S. FDA, Risks and Complications of Breast Implants

After implant removal without replacement, breasts will lose volume. Those with sufficient natural breast tissue may still have aesthetically pleasing results, while those with minimal tissue may experience deflation and sagging. Over time, skin typically contracts, improving appearance. Many patients are pleasantly surprised by how well their breasts look after healing and skin retraction.

BII refers to unexplained symptoms in women with breast implants, including joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, rashes, swollen glands, hair loss, unexplained infections, chest pain, heart palpitations, depression, anxiety, and other non-specific symptoms. There is no specific test for BII; diagnosis is confirmed when symptoms improve after implant removal.

No, there is no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer. Women with implants have the same risk of developing breast cancer as those without. Modern mammography and MRI technology allow effective breast cancer detection even with implants in place.

Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is not breast cancer. It is an uncommon type of lymphoma (a cancer of the immune system) found in the scar tissue and fluid around a breast implant, not in the breast tissue itself, and the FDA considers an individual’s risk low. It is linked to textured implants: a published review puts the average U.S. lifetime risk for patients with a textured surface implant between 1 in 51,000 and 1 in 355. In most patients, it is treated successfully with surgery to remove the implant and the surrounding scar tissue.

Sources: Lynch et al., Annals of Breast Surgery, 2021; U.S. FDA, Questions and Answers about BIA-ALCL

Yes. Options include mastopexy (breast lift) and/or autologous fat transfer (fat grafting) to improve appearance without using implants. These procedures can address volume loss or drooping that may occur after implant removal.

Implant removal starts at $6,995 and up depending on the complexity of your case. More involved procedures like en-bloc capsulectomy, mastopexy, or fat grafting increase costs.

Financing options are available through partners like Cherry or CareCredit.