Implant Removal and Lift – Monterey, CA
Breast implant patients tend to be some of our happiest patients. However, breast implants may not be for everyone and some patients eventually want them removed for different reasons:
Breast implants are not meant to be life-long devices as their integrity and structure can change over time. The FDA recommends they are exchanged approximately every decade. We have seen many patients who have had implants in for 25 – 45 years and are experiencing changes in the breast as a result such as capsular contracture, rupture of the implant, asymmetry, and breast pain. Most of these patients desire to have their implants removed.
Occasionally, we will have patients who have had disproportionately large implants placed in the past and are fed up with the resulting back pain and neck pain. In the 1990s and early 2000s, “the bigger the better” was the trend for breast implants. However, patients now desire a much more natural appearance and feel. Their native breasts have also changed too over the years and often have enlarged over time. These patients may be a candidate for complete removal of the implants and breast lift of the residual native breast tissue.
Many of our patients are in their 6th and 7th decade where their breast implants are weighing them forward and negatively affecting their posture. As long as they have no medical illnesses or conditions that preclude them from having a safe anesthetic experience, they are candidates for removal of the implants and capsules and breast lift of the residual native breast tissue.
Lastly, a small population of patients may have Breast Implant Illness (BII) where they experience vague symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, chronic pain, anxiety, brain fog, sleep disturbance, etc. This may be due to some type of autoimmune response that is difficult to diagnose and may or may not be resolved with removal of the implants and capsules.
Why Do I Need A Lift?
Having a foreign body in your breast tissue creates permanent change. The skin is stretched, the soft tissue is thinner and the entire breast has aged faster from the weight of the implant. Typically, if only the implant is removed, the breast may look deflated and the tissue can contract unpredictably. Occasionally, patients who have enough natural breast tissue and a reasonable position of their areolas are candidates for implant removal only. For the best and most predictable outcome, Dr. Wong will typically recommend performing a breast lift the same time the implants are removed.
Does Insurance Cover This Procedure?
Some insurance companies may include removal of the implants as a benefit in their plans while others do not. Check with your insurance company to find out what procedures they will cover.
Reduce Back & Neck Pain!
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