Breast Implant Removal in Houston, TX
Breast implants are designed to be long-lasting, but they are not permanent. Over time, changes in health, lifestyle, or personal preferences may lead some women to consider breast implant removal. While many patients remain happy with their breast augmentation results for years, others experience complications such as discomfort, implant failure, or displacement, or simply decide that their breast implants no longer reflect their aesthetic goals.
Whether due to necessity or personal choice, breast implant removal performed by Dr. Steven Kronowitz in Houston, Texas, can restore comfort, address medical concerns, or increase your confidence in your appearance.
What Is Breast Implant Removal?
Breast implant removal, also called breast explant surgery, is a procedure performed to take out previously placed breast implants. While implants are durable, they are not intended to last a lifetime, and some women eventually choose or need to have them removed. The reasons for breast implant removal vary—some patients experience complications after breast augmentation, while others may want a more natural look or feel, and their implants no longer suit their lifestyle or aesthetic goals. In some cases, a breast lift or reshaping procedure is performed at the same time as your breast implant removal to restore a balanced, natural contour to your breasts.
Am I a Candidate for Breast Implant Removal?
Women turn to this secondary breast procedure to repair or enhance the result of their initial breast augmentation. Breast implant removal is beneficial for women who:
- Experience implant complications
- Wish to return to a natural aesthetic
- Desire to upsize or downsize their implants
- Want to change the type of implant they have (material or shape)
Women who are good candidates for this procedure do not smoke, are in good overall health, and have realistic expectations for the results of the procedure.
If you think you may be a candidate for breast implant removal, contact Dr. Kronowitz and set up a consultation by calling (713) 523-0300.
What Are the Benefits of Breast Implant Removal?
Relief From Physical Discomfort
For many women, breast implant removal can bring significant physical relief. Pain and discomfort caused by complications like capsular contracture, implant asymmetry, or implants that are too large for the body can often be resolved once the implants are taken out.
Cosmetic Improvements
When implants shift from their intended position—known as implant displacement—your breasts can look and feel uneven and unnatural. In these cases, breast implant removal or revision surgery is necessary to restore balance to your figure and improve the overall appearance of your breasts.
Simplified Mammograms
In some cases, the type of breast implants you have and where they are placed (above or below your chest muscle) can obscure your natural breast tissue during a mammogram. Removing your implants can result in clearer, more precise imaging, making breast cancer screenings easier and more accurate.
Boosted Self-Confidence
Your vision of your “ideal” body often changes with time. Removing your breast implants or replacing them with a different size or material can be a step toward aligning how you look on the outside with how you feel on the inside, which can lead to renewed confidence.
Reasons to Undergo Breast Implant Removal Surgery
Some women undergo breast implant removal because they experience a complication like implant rupture, capsular contracture, or implant displacement. These complications require the removal of the implant—even if the patient is satisfied with the look and feel of her augmented breasts.
Other women choose breast implant removal because they are unsatisfied with their breasts after their initial augmentation. Permanent breast implant removal is also a possibility for women who wish to return to a natural breast aesthetic.
Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue that forms around the implant contracts, causing your breast to become hard, painful, and misshapen. It is the most common complication experienced by breast augmentation patients, affecting about one in six patients. While this may seem like a high number, many cases of capsular contracture are minor and don’t cause symptoms or require revision. Treatment requires removing both the implant and the surrounding scar tissue capsule, after which you can replace your implants or not.
Implant Failure
“Implant failure” refers to a rupture or leak in your breast implant. If a saline implant leaks or ruptures, it noticeably deflates. Silicone implants, on the other hand, may leak without obvious signs since the cohesive gel usually stays within the breast pocket. Regardless of whether they’re silicone or saline, ruptured or damaged implants must be surgically removed.
Implant Displacement
Sometimes implants are placed incorrectly or migrate from their original position, leading to visible changes, including:
- Bottoming out, where the implant drops below the breast crease.
- Lateral displacement, where the implant shifts sideways toward your armpit.
- Symmastia, where the implants move together toward the middle of your chest, creating a “uniboob” appearance.
Age of Your Implants
Although some implants can last up to 15–20 years, most are intended to be removed or replaced around the 10-year mark.
Lifestyle Changes
For many women, their aesthetic goals change over time. Some women choose to size up, size down, or remove their implants entirely to return to a more natural look. Others may find that implants interfere with athletic activities, clothing fit, or overall comfort. Weight changes and aging can also play a role in your decision to remove your breast implants.
How Is Breast Implant Removal Performed?
Breast implant removal is usually an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. To minimize scarring, Dr. Kronowitz reuses the original breast augmentation incisions whenever possible.
Depending on your unique anatomy and reasons for breast implant removal, there are several implant removal techniques that may be used, including:
- Implant removal only: This technique is used when there’s no significant scar tissue or complications that need to be remedied.
- Total capsulectomy: The breast implant is removed first, followed by the surrounding tissue capsule.
- En bloc capsulectomy: The implant and capsule are removed together, all in one piece. This method is often preferred when removing ruptured silicone implants.
If a breast lift or another breast enhancement is planned, Dr. Kronowitz will complete this during the same procedure. Once the surgery is finished, the incisions are closed and the area is dressed with sterile bandages.
What Are My Breast Implant Removal Options?
You have several breast implant removal options following the removal of the implant and the scar tissue. Depending on your reason for the procedure, you can choose to remove your implants permanently or decide to replace them with new implants.
While some women choose to remove their implants, others want to keep their augmented breasts. Women who experience implant complications or who wish to change the size of their implants can follow their implant removal with the placement of new implants.
Will I need a breast lift after my removal?
The removal of an implant reduces the volume and the weight of the breast significantly. As you age, your skin and tissues weaken, and the weakened tissues of the breast are not always able to contract once the implant is removed.
Women who remove their implants permanently and have premature breast sagging may be candidates for a breast lift. A breast lift elevates the breasts by tightening and securing the breast tissues, repositioning a downward-facing nipple-areola complex, and trimming loose skin on the breasts. Breast implant removal combined with breast lift surgery restores a lifted, firm, and perky breast contour.
Can I combine breast implant removal with fat transfer to the breasts?
Women who do not wish to replace their implants but still want additional breast volume may benefit from breast implant removal and fat transfer to the breasts. Fat transfer to the breasts takes fat that has been harvested from the abdomen, hips, thighs, or buttocks and transfers it to various areas of the chest for natural fullness.
Fat transfer does not come with the risks of complications of breast implants and cannot be rejected by the body. However, this technique also cannot always add as much volume as breast implants.
What Will My Breast Implant Removal Recovery Be Like?
Breast implant removal is an outpatient procedure, and you can return home within a few hours. Your breasts may be wrapped in a compression garment that will help reduce bruising and swelling and promote blood circulation. This garment is essential to the healing process.
You may experience some discomfort in the first 48 to 72 hours following your surgery. Prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication will help alleviate any discomfort. Most patients return to work within two weeks; however, strenuous activity and exercise should be avoided for at least four to six weeks.
When Will I See My Breast Implant Removal Results?
The results of your breast implant removal will be noticeable immediately following the surgery. However, as there will still be significant bruising and swelling, the results will be obscured for several weeks.
While most of the swelling will subside within a few weeks, some residual swelling may persist for up to six months or longer. Once the swelling has disappeared, the results of your breast implant removal are not expected to change.
This procedure will not stop the natural aging process, and patients may eventually experience breast laxity as the tissues age and weaken. Women who do not choose to combine a breast lift initially may decide to undergo one down the line. You can help maintain the appearance of your breasts by wearing a supportive bra and maintaining a stable weight.
How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost in Houston, TX?
Plastic surgery procedures are tailored to each patient. Therefore, it is challenging to estimate the cost of your surgery until after your consultation with Dr. Kronowitz. During this meeting, he will evaluate your breast condition, factor in any additional techniques, and provide you with an accurate cost estimate.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average surgeon’s fee for breast implant removal is $3,979. Your final breast implant removal cost will vary significantly once anesthesia, facility, pre-surgical tests, post-surgical dressings, and geographical location are factored in.
How Can I Learn More About Breast Implant Removal?
If you are unhappy with the aesthetics or experiencing any complications with your breast implants, breast implant removal may be right for you. Contact Kronowitz Plastic Surgery by calling (713) 523-0300 or by filling out our online contact form. We have convenient practice locations in Bellaire, Kingwood, The Woodlands, and Cypress, Texas.
Locations
Bellaire
6565 West Loop South, Suite 850
Bellaire, TX 77401
Kingwood
4533 Kingwood Dr., Suite 100
Kingwood Area, TX 77345
The Woodlands
9180 Pinecroft Dr. , Suite 250
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Cypress
27700 Northwest Fwy, Suite 330
Cypress, TX 77433
