Medical Reasons for Implant Removal or Replacement
From mild discomfort to more serious medical concerns, there are a number of reasons patients may want to have their implants removed or replaced.
Infection
Regardless of implant type, preventing infection is essential. Any surgery comes with the risk of infection, and breast augmentation is no different. If your incision site isn’t properly cleaned and cared for, during or after surgery, you may be at risk for an infection. Signs of infection include skin necrosis, nipple discharge, breast discomfort, or slowed wound healing.
Postoperative Complications
Hardened scar tissue around one or both implants, also called capsular contracture, can cause tightness, pain, and tenderness.
If a silicone implant ruptures, common symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Hard knots
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Burning
The silicone gel will often stay inside the implant or surrounding tissue because of its thickness. You may not notice a decrease in breast size for some time.
Non-Medical Reasons for Implant Removal or Replacement
Many women who have breast implants may decide to have them removed later. Patients who are starting a family and don’t want to breastfeed with implants may seek a removal procedure. In some cases, a patient is no longer happy with the current size of their implant. Other than medical necessity, lifestyle changes are among the most common reasons patients seek implant removal.
