Breast Implant Removal in Fort Worth

Breast augmentation using implants is a popular cosmetic surgery. Breast implants do not last forever, though, and after enough time has passed, they will need to be replaced or removed. Some women elect to have their breast implants taken out entirely because of implant encapsulation, rupture, or simply because they don’t want them anymore or feel the implants make them look heavier than they are.

If you are considering a breast implant removal procedure, contact our Fort Worth office so you can understand your options and what to expect. Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Matthew H Steele is familiar with all the latest in breast implant technology and can be trusted to safely and efficiently remove and replace defective implants and restore your desired look.

Reasons to Choose Breast Implant Removal

Multiple factors could impact a person’s decision to undergo breast implant removal surgery. Whether a decade has passed, or you are experiencing complications related to breast implants, Dr. Steele can help correct the issues and get you back to the figure you desire.

Capsular Contracture

After breast implant placement, some scar tissue will naturally form around the implant. Usually, this tissue capsule remains soft, but it can cause pain and distort the breast shape if the scar tissue grows and hardens. When removing implants, Dr. Steele will most likely perform a total capsulectomy removing the entire capsule with the implant. In less severe cases, and sometimes in combination with implant replacement, some of the capsule may be left behind to bolster blood supply and minimize the risk of complications, such as injury to the chest wall and ribs.

Rupture

blue and white round ballModern breast implants utilize highly cohesive gel (gummy bear implants) that will not leak out of the implant capsule. However, older generation implants with thinner shells and loose silicone gel have a higher rupture rate with a possibility of extra-capsular spread of the gel. When this occurs, the implant and any ruptured gel will need to be removed. An MRI is very sensitive and specific for detecting implant rupture with intra- or extra-capsular silicone extravasation. Additionally, capsular contracture may indicate the possibility of implant rupture.

Pain or Dissatisfaction

After some time spent having larger breasts, some women might decide they want to return to a smaller size. Large breasts can sometimes lead to back or neck pain over time. In some cases, a significant encapsulation may cause pain around the breast as well. A person might also simply decide that they no longer desire the shape their implants give their breasts.

Expectations for Breast Implant Removal

Breast implant removals at our Fort Worth office are performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Steele will make an incision either along the fold underneath the breast and remove the breast implant and breast capsule if a capsulectomy is planned.

If the implants are removed and not replaced, the breast will have an altered size and shape. After removal, the breasts may be flatter, and there may be indentations or other irregularities in the skin that the implant previously filled. In some cases, a breast lift may be performed simultaneously to improve the breast shape and nipple/areola position. Ultimately, no two women will have the same results following a breast implant removal procedure. Fortunately, Dr. Steele can help patients prepare and make a treatment plan that is customized for their specific needs.

Call Our Fort Worth Office to Schedule a Breast Implant Removal

Most women who decide to have a breast implant removal at our Fort Worth office are pleased with their decision. Breast implant removal can be a very personal and sometimes emotional process, and Dr. Steele is an experienced specialist plastic surgeon you can trust with your medical and cosmetic needs. Set up a consultation to discuss your concerns and goals with our medical staff today.