Breast Implant Removal in Atlanta - Getting Back to your Natural Self
The nice thing about breast augmentation is that it does not have to be a permanent decision. Implant removal is an easy procedure for patients with minimal postoperative pain or downtime. If you have decided to have your implants removed, visit Dr. Amy Alderman for explant surgery in Atlanta, GA and Buckhead. With her customized approach to patient care, you can benefit from comfortable treatment and best post-operative outcomes.
Is Implant Removal Right for You?
Dr. Alderman devotes a great deal of time to patient consultations before surgery to make sure they understand what the breast appearance will be like after the implants are removed. When a patient has a saline breast implant, the implant can be deflated in the office with just local anesthesia. The fluid from the implant is removed, allowing the patient to visualize how much breast volume they have without the implant. This is a great way to help a patient decide if she does or does not want a new implant and whether or not she wants a breast lift. The deflation is relatively painless and takes only five to ten minutes.
Patients come to Dr. Alderman for different reasons for wanting their implants removed. Most commonly, she hears patients say that their breast size has increased over the years due to weight gain, and they want a smaller breast appearance. In other cases, removing the implant and lifting the breast can give the patient a much more youthful appearance.
The Breast Implant Removal Procedure
Removal of the breast implant is a simple procedure. A small incision is made in the fold of the breast, which allows access to the implant and the capsule surrounding it. The capsule is a type of scar tissue that your body creates to surround the implant. The capsule often does not need to be removed if it is thin. In cases of a thick capsule, both the capsule and the implant will be removed. A drain is only placed if a thick capsule has to be removed.
Most commonly, general anesthesia is used so that the capsule around the implant can be removed. Usually, the procedure lasts only about an hour. In some cases, the implant can be removed with only local anesthesia and the patient awake. However, we find that most patients prefer the comfort of general anesthesia.
Recovery and Aesthetics after Explant Surgery in Atlanta
Many patients are satisfied with a natural breast appearance after removing their implants. Patients tend to be happy with the decrease in volume after feeling as if they were too big. In some cases, patients may choose to undergo a breast lift (mastopexy) at the same time. This procedure will reduce the size of the breast by removing the implant as well as tighten the skin for a more youthful and lifted breast appearance. These procedures are safe to perform at the same time and are often combined.
Patients experience minimal pain with implant removal and can resume most normal activities within three to five days. Exercise limitations are gradually removed over two to three weeks after surgery. Generally, Dr. Alderman likes patients to wear a compression bra after the implant removal. A soft, supportive sports bra provides the best compression after surgery. After a couple of weeks, patients can transition to the bra of their choosing.
Meet Dr. Alderman
Dr. Amy Alderman is a nationally known, board-certified plastic surgeon located in Buckhead near Atlanta. As a female surgeon and mother of two children, she provides a unique perspective to patient care. Each surgical plan is individually tailored to each patient’s needs and lifestyles and is aimed at enhancing her patient’s natural beauty and restoring confidence. She is known for her personal approach to patient care and has unparalleled commitment to patient safety, which can be attributed to years of education, professional experience and involvement in national patient safety initiatives.
Meet Dr. AldermanCan You Get Implants again after Removal?
Some patients may experience weight loss and change in their breast volume after implant removal and wish to replace them. Although it is not that common, some patients miss the fuller volume they had with implants. As long as a patient is still in good health and a good surgical candidate, it is safe to place implants again after removal.