Is it Time to Get Your Breast Implants Removed or Replaced?

Posted March 28, 2024 in Breast Implant Removal, Breast Implants

Once you’ve had breast implants for several years, it may be time to consider getting them removed. This blog discusses some of the common reasons you might choose to have your breast implants removed. 

5 Min Read:

Breast implants are built to be durable and lasting, but did you know you need to consider replacing them? Depending on your implant type, they’re typically made to last between 10 and 20 years. Once you’ve had breast implants for several years, it may be time to consider getting them removed via a procedure known as breast implant removal, or explantation. 

However, the age of the implant isn’t the only reason you might choose to remove or replace your breast implant. Below, we discuss some of the common reasons you might choose to have your breast implants removed.

Your Breast Implant Leaks or Ruptures

The most obvious reason for breast implant removal is if your implant leaks or ruptures. In the case of saline implants, you’ll know immediately if your implant has a leak because your breast will deflate. Silicone implant leaks and ruptures are more difficult to detect. Silicone implants are filled with a thick gel that won’t give you much of a sign of an issue. Gummy bear implants have an even thicker gel that retains shape despite leaks. That’s why women with silicone implants are advised to get an MRI every couple of years to ensure that their implants are still intact. If you experience a rupture or your MRI shows a leak, implant removal is the next step. 

You Develop Capsular Contracture

One of the most common side effects of breast augmentation is capsular contracture. When your breast implant is placed, your body naturally forms scar tissue around it. Capsular contracture occurs when that scar tissue contracts and hardens, squeezing the implant. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly one in six women will experience some degree of capsular contracture. Some women may never have symptoms, while others will have breast firmness, pain, and visible distortion of the implants. If you’re one of the women who have a severe case of capsular contracture, the only way to treat it is by getting your breast implant removed.  

You Want to Change the Size of Your Breast Implant

The beauty of breast augmentation is that you get to choose the size of your breasts according to what you’re comfortable with. In some cases, women decide to get their breast implants removed because their aesthetic has changed over time. Perhaps they want to go up in size, have noticed their breasts sagging, or want to size down because their larger breasts are hindering them in their athletic endeavors. Whether you wish to increase or decrease the size of your breasts, breast implant removal and replacement can do the job.  

You Experience Implant Displacement

When breast implants are placed, your surgeon creates a pocket for the implant to sit in. In rare instances, the implant may move, causing your breasts to look unnatural. Lateral displacement is when your implants shift to the outer part of your chest, toward your armpits, and typically happens when the breast pocket is too large. Symmastia is when your implants shift toward the middle of your chest, creating the look of a “uniboob.” Neither of these are common occurrences, but are definite reasons to get breast implant removal. 

You Want to Return to Your Natural Breasts

Some women with breast implants decide to remove them permanently. There are many reasons behind the decision, but in many cases, they just want to get back to basics and are happy to return to their natural breast size. It’s your body and your decision, so breast implant removal may be the next step you choose in your aesthetic journey.

You Want to Change the Type of Breast Implant You Have

Breast implants have changed over the years, with newer silicone implants filled with highly cohesive gel to better mimic the look and feel of natural breasts. Maybe you have saline implants and feel like silicone might be a better fit, or maybe you want to exchange your silicone implants for the newer gummy bear implants—whatever your reason, breast implant removal and replacement can help you achieve your goals. 

You Want to Adjust Your Breast Implant Positioning

Just like with natural breasts, the effects of age, changes in the elasticity of your skin, and gravity can affect the appearance of your breast implants. If your breasts are sagging more than you’d like, it’s the perfect time to get your implants replaced while also getting a breast lift. A breast lift involves eliminating excess skin on your breasts that causes them to droop, and it is commonly performed alongside breast augmentation surgery. 

Learn More About Breast Implant Removal in Coral Gables

There’s no one-size-fits-all reason for breast implant removal—for many women, it’s a matter of personal choice, just like when they chose breast augmentation. At Careaga Plastic Surgery, we want to ensure every patient is happy with their body. To schedule a consultation to discuss breast implant removal with one of our expert surgeons, call us at (305) 574-9262 or complete the online contact form.