Implant Removal, Exchange or Replacement of Breast Implants

Changing or removing breast implants eventually becomes a reality for virtually all women who carry them.

There are 4 main reasons that lead women to undergo this type of procedure:

• With age, some women no longer see the benefit of keeping these foreign bodies in their body. They request their removal: in this case, it is a definitive implant removal.
• A second group of women experiencing problems with implant integrity most commonly request an implant exchange: here we see how important it is to have the most extensive warranty possible to reduce costs in case of rupture or any other implant defect. Dr Weiss uses the best-warranted implants on the market for this reason.
  Sometimes an alert regarding poor design of certain implants, as seen in the PIP affair, leads women to implant removal or exchange: in this case, part of the procedure is covered by the implant manufacturer's insurance.
• Implant replacement is also performed when a woman with implants wishes to change volume, either increasing or decreasing: in this case, the warranty does not apply.
• Finally, a last group of women change or have their implants removed as a precaution, following highly publicised information, sometimes following new scientific discoveries, such as the current issues with textured implants.
  For information: in reality, the risk of developing anaplastic large cell lymphoma is minimal (200 cases described worldwide) compared to the risk of breast cancer, which can affect one in eight women.

The decision to remove, exchange or replace implants must be carefully considered after thorough discussion with the patient over several consultations and preliminary interviews.

Two main types of procedures can be proposed:

• breast implant exchange
• implant removal

In the case of implant removal, the question to ask is: "what next?"

The surgeon will explain that the result will be the most realistic morphology of your breasts after implant removal: you will discuss together a possible breast reshaping if the appearance is too unsightly.

Dr Weiss will advise you as best as possible without influencing your choice.

Performed as outpatient surgery using the original incision scar, for both implant exchange and removal.

The procedure is painless, post-operative care is very simple, and after removal of the first dressing at 4 or 5 days, showers are permitted as well as partial resumption of sports activity.

However, in the case of additional reshaping, more significant scarring from mastopexy should be expected.

Obviously, implant removal does not permanently close the door to future implant placement: everything is possible for a patient who later regrets her decision.