Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure to remove silicone or saline breast implants. This procedure may be performed because the patient no longer wants the implants, has experienced complications with the implants, or has developed scar tissue around the implant (a condition known as capsular contracture). The surgery involves making an incision in the breast and carefully removing the implant.

What is breast implant removal?
Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure in which breast implants are removed from the patient’s body. The procedure may also involve the removal of scar tissue or silicone that has leaked from the implant. The surgery may be requested for a variety of reasons, such as to replace old implants with new ones, to remove implants that are no longer desired, or to address complications related to the implants.

Why is breast implant removal done?
It is generally recommended that breast implants be removed or replaced every 10 to 15 years, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, a plastic surgeon may not suggest removal if there have been no complications. Some individuals choose to have their implants removed due to changes in the shape of their breasts since their breast augmentation surgery.

• Age
• Breastfeeding
• Pregnancy
• Weight changes
  
  

Who needs to have breast implant removal?

In some cases, breast implant removal or replacement is medically necessary. The most common reason to remove implants is that scar tissue hardens around the implants. This hardening is known as capsular contracture. It can cause pain, discomfort or breasts that look different than they once did.

You may also want implant removal because of:

• Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare cancer that occurs in scar tissue around an implant. BIA-ALCL is associated with textured implants. You should check with your plastic surgeon to see if you’ve ever had textured implants placed.
• Calcium buildup around the implant.
• Leaking of the implant.
• Movement or shifting of the implant.