Breast Implant Removal in Santa Monica
Breast augmentation does not have to be a lifelong procedure, as many women have opted to completely remove their breast implants after childbirth and pregnancy. Removing your saline or silicone breast implants can be a straightforward decision, especially if you still have perky breasts without sagging. The top reasons to undergo breast implant removal in our Los Angeles plastic surgery office include the following:
- Breast implant pain
- Implant displacement or asymmetry
- Capsular contracture
- Breast implant illness (BII)
- Breast implant rupture or deflation (in both silicone and saline breast implants)
- Breast implant leakage
- Silicone nodules or granulomas
- Opt out of implants and replace volume with fat transfer or grafting
Removing a breast implant begins with a consultation with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian in Santa Monica. Dr. Karamanoukian offers a minimally-invasive approach to breast implant removal for patients who have minimal breast ptosis (droopiness) and desire a more natural breast volume. In these patients, replacement of a breast implant is not necessary and complete removal of the intact breast implants is all that is needed.
If your breasts have some element of sagginess, you may require breast implant removal in addition to a breast lift. In this procedure, the breast implant is removed followed by a breast tuck using internal sutures to lift up the nipple and areola relative to the breast. In cases of capsular contracture, Dr. Karamanoukian advises patients to remove the breast implant and capsule in one procedure. The decision to replace the implant or perform a breast lift depends on individual breast biometrics and patient expectations.
Breast Implant Illness
Breast augmentation with saline or silicone breast implants have been deemed safe by the FDA in the United States; even after decades of clinical trials and longterm data. Breast implants can improve the volume and shape of the female breasts, but some patients may have untoward effects related to these implantable devices. Recent data published in the plastic surgery literature has described a constellation of symptoms that are attributable to breast implants; and the removal of the implants is advised in patients who have symptoms associated with Breast Implant Illness. In Los Angeles, Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is a trusted resource for women who wish to remove the breast implants, either en bloc or through a capsulectomy, to reduce the longterm effects of BII.
If you have undergone breast augmentation, whether new or old, and believe that your symptoms are associated with the breast implants; BII is treatable with a capsulectomy or en bloc implant removal. Our Los Angeles plastic surgery office is here to help.
Breast Implant Removal Procedure
Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the breast to remove the entire breast implant. In some cases, this procedure is more complicated when a breast implant is ruptured, or there is associated complications such as capsular contracture. Dr. Karamanoukian may opt for a full capsulectomy or en bloc removal of a breast implant, where appropriate.
- General anesthesia is administered in an accredited surgical center.
- An incision is placed into the skin at the site of your previous surgery, unless the previous implant was placed through your belly button or axilla.
- The ruptured or intact breast implant is removed with the capsule of scar tissue around the implant.
- The incisions are sutured and a dressing is applied. You will likely need a few days to recover from the surgery, during which time you should refrain from strenuous activity.
Schedule a consultation for breast implant removal in Santa Monica with Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian by calling (310) 998-5533.