Choosing to have breast augmentation is a very personal decision each woman makes for her own reasons. And the same is true for the decision to remove or replace breast implants when they no longer fit with where a woman is in life.
Seasons change, trends come and go, we all age and grow. A breast augmentation choice that served a woman well in her 20’s might not feel right after having children. For another woman, newer, more natural-looking implant options may have her thinking about making a change to line up with her preferred look.
Breast implant removal was in the spotlight earlier this year when model Chrissy Teigen announced her decision to remove her implants on social media. It seemed like a surprising decision to some, but the fact is that breast implants are not meant to stay with a woman her whole life, and most women with implants will have a subsequent surgery to remove or replace their implants after about 10 to 15 years.
How to Get Started
Once you begin thinking about removing your breast implants, there are several steps you must take to turn that thought into a reality. In many cases, the plastic surgeon who performed your initial augmentation may be the best choice for the revision or removal procedure.
You can schedule a consultation with them and talk more about what you’re hoping to achieve. You also may want to talk with a few other plastic surgeons in the area, so you have additional opinions and perspectives.
Your Breast Revision Consult
As part of your consultation, your plastic surgeon should discuss what you can expect cosmetically after surgery. In some cases, a breast lift or more extensive revision may be necessary to reshape your breast tissue and create smaller breasts with an attractive shape and position.
Because implant removal procedures can be more invasive than an initial augmentation surgery, healing can take longer than your first surgery. Be prepared and talk with your plastic surgeon so you have a realistic idea of the results you can achieve and what to expect as you recover.
Author: Dr. Drew Davis
Dr. Drew Davis completed his residency in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center and is proud to be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After practicing for many years in the Bay Area, Dr. Davis has chosen private practice in the Sacramento area to allow him to provide the most personal and individualized patient care.
