Category: Breast Implant Removal
When you undergo breast implant surgery, you may hear a thing or two about breast explantation and why you may need it in the future. But when you are basking in the excitement of your ideal figure, it is easy to let those details slip from your mind.
With that said, it is crucial to keep an eye out for signs that suggest you need a breast explant in Chicago, Illinois. To understand when and why do you need breast explant procedure, here is a lowdown on the procedure and its targeted effects on your wellbeing.
What Is a Capsule?
After you go through successful breast augmentation and receive implants, your body forms scar tissue around the implant device. This essentially creates a capsule-like structure where the scar tissue serves as the outer layer of the capsule, with the implant encased inside of it.
A breast explant procedure simply refers to the removal of the whole scar tissue capsule with the implant inside. But it is important to remember that this type of breast explant is just one of many approaches used to remove breast implants.
However, removal of breast implants can be highly necessary in some cases.
Why Is Breast Implant Removal Necessary?
Removal of your breast implants can be necessary due to a variety of reasons. These include but are not limited to the following:
Excessive hardening of the scar tissue. When the scar tissue around your breast implant hardens to a discomforting degree, complete removal of the capsule and implant may be necessary.
Implant rupture. If you have silicone implants and one of them ruptures, a capsulectomy becomes essential in order to prevent further complications and take care of your health.
Breast Implant Illness (BII). In case you develop symptoms for the condition known as BII, it is often suggested to get your implant removed completely through breast explantation.
What Are the Signs for Needing A Breast Explant procedure?
Some of the most common symptoms that may indicate the need for a breast explant procedure include but are not limited to:
- Discomfort in the affected breast.
- Pressure on the affected breast.
- Distortion in breast shape.
- Pain around the implant site.
- Chronic fatigue.
- Chronic headache.
- Breathing problems.
- Sleeping problems.
- Joint and muscle pain.
After understanding what a breast implant removal is and its associated symptoms, you can reach out to a qualified surgeon who specializes in this procedure. This way, you can learn if a breast implant removal is necessary for you. Otherwise, you can explore other breast implant removal procedures that you can benefit from in your case.
Contact A Board-certified Plastic Surgeon In Chicago, Il
With hands-on experience regularly performing breast implant removal procedures in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Florence Mussat is known for her skill and expertise with this intricate surgery. With minimal risks but remarkable results, Dr. Mussat’s expertise can help you take care of your health while maintaining the appearance of your breasts.
To discuss the suitability of breast implant removal in your case, schedule a private consultation with Dr. Mussat. Contact our office by calling (312) 751-9000 today, and we will be happy to guide you through a safe yet aesthetically sound breast implant removal procedure.
When a woman undergoes breast augmentation surgery, probably the last thing on her mind is that a second surgery, called breast revision surgery, may be needed in the future.
Breast implants are not intended to last a lifetime. Over time, impants can be subject to rupture, rippling, deflation, asymmetry, sagging, or capsular contracture caused by the formation of a hard and dense tissue capsule.
Breast revision surgery is also frequently performed when a woman is not happy with some aspect of how her breasts look or feel. She may want to replace her current breast implants with a different size or style or to simply have her natural breasts back.
Understanding Your Options for Breast Implants
The decision about where you would like your breast implants to be placed during your revision breast surgery will be made in consultation with your plastic surgeon, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Florence Mussat, in Chicago, IL. She would be happy to help you make this decision and to plan for the procedure itself.
Influencing Factors on Breast Implant Placement
There are several factors to keep in mind when deciding on the position of your breast implants:
- the desired shape and size of your breasts and thus the implants
- your body size
- expected recovery time and post-operative discomfort and pain
- your lifestyle
- your goals and expectations
Where Can Breast Implants Be Placed?
Breasts implants can be placed:
- over the muscle, but under the breast tissue
- under the muscle
Since there are advantages and disadvantages to each placement, Dr. Mussat will help you decide which placement method is best for you. There are several factors which will help determine the optimal implant placement:
- Your body type
- Your current health
- The actual size of the implants
- Saline vs. silicone implants
- Your individual goals and desires
All these factors help you understand the pros and cons of the different breast implant placement options.
Subglandular Placement
Also known as “over-the-muscle” placement, the subglandular placement technique positions the implant between the chest muscle and the existing breast tissue. With this positioning, the implant lies behind the glands of the breasts, thus providing the patient the ability to breast-feed in the future.
Advantages: Patients can expect less movement of the implants during physical activity and less discomfort immediately following surgery.
Disadvantages: The appearance of the breasts may seem more artificial, and during mammograms, the readings may be less accurate.
Submuscular Placement
The other breast implant placement option is known as submuscular or under-the-muscle placement. The technique includes partially placement of the implant under the pectoralis major chest muscle in a “dual plane” placement.
Advantages: Patients experience more accurate mammograms. In addition, submuscular placement tends to produce a more natural result.
Disadvantages: Some patients experience slightly more discomfort after surgery, with a longer postsurgical recovery.
Women with very large or strong chest muscles will be best suited for the over-the-muscle positioning of their implants. The reason is that, with larger chest muscles, there will be a tendency for distortion of the breasts as the chest muscles are flexed. In this case, subglandular placement may be advised.
Keeping in mind all the advantages and disadvantages of the possible placement of your implants, you are well equipped to meet with Dr. Mussat to discuss what is best for your particular situation.
Why Choose Dr. Florence Mussat for Your Breast Revision?
Dr. Florence Mussat is a Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon in Downtown Chicago and has a passion for Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery.
With her help, you can soon be on your way to achieving the bustline you’ve always wanted. Schedule a personal consultation or by calling (312) 751-9000 today!
Breast augmentation using implants remains the most sought-after cosmetic surgery procedure for women in the United States. However, every year, a small percentage of women choose to have their breast implants removed. The reasons behind this decision vary but typically are due to health concerns or the feeling that the breast implants no longer suit a patient’s lifestyle.
It takes an advanced set of surgical skills and training to perform breast implant removal that prioritizes patient safety and restores the original shape of the breasts.
Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat has the training, skills, and experience to work with you to either return to your natural breast size or find a beautiful aesthetic alternative to your current implants.
For women who choose to remove their breast implants entirely, it is essential to gather all the facts, not only about the procedure itself but also about what their breasts will look like afterward.
What Is Breast Implant Removal?
Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure to remove the implants from a woman’s breast augmentation or reconstruction. Depending on the reason for implant removal, Dr. Mussat may also excise some tissue around the implant.
Women who have symptoms of a breast implant rupture or are experiencing health problems caused by the implant must be cautious about the type of breast implant removal technique their surgeon uses. Approaches for breast implant procedures are some of the most complex and sophisticated for breast implant removal, or explantation. Despite the challenges it presents, this procedure is also one of the most reliable ways to protect the patient from further complications. Dr. Mussat performs the procedure by carefully removing the implant together with the capsule that surrounds it as a single unit.
Why Might You Consider Breast Implant Removal?
If you’re thinking about getting breast implant removal, Dr. Mussat believes it’s a good idea to consider the reasons why women decide to undergo explant surgery in the first place.
- Changing activity levels: With the increasing popularity of intense cardio workouts like CrossFit and Bootcamp, women are choosing to have their implants removed in favor of creating a lean, toned physique.
- Keeping up with the latest trends: The increased demand for Brazilian butt lift surgery and a decreased desire for large breast implants is now becoming common. That’s not to suggest breast augmentation isn’t still popular, which it certainly is — women are just more likely to pursue a C cup than a DD cup. Likewise, some women who have had large implants inserted in the past are choosing to either downsize or have their implants removed altogether.
- Physical illness or discomfort: Some women report that their implants begin to feel painful or hard years after their initial operation. Also, they may experience a broad range of health issues, which could include breast implant illness that disappears after they have their implants removed.
- Return to a more natural look: Many slender women might have opted to have mid-sized or even large implants inserted. Because slim women often don’t have enough natural breast tissue to cover large implants, this might have resulted in an overly round, artificial look. Today, these women frequently ask to have their large implants removed and replaced with implants that better suit their frame.
Combining breast implant removal with breast lift surgery is an option that can address both medical and aesthetic concerns a patient might have. After the procedure, it’s possible for a patient to leave Dr. Mussat’s office with perkier, more even and attractive breasts compared to the way they looked before the enhancement.
What Happens in a Breast Implant Removal Procedure?
Dr. Mussat generally performs breast implant removal while her patients are under general anesthesia. Typically, to minimize scarring, she creates incisions along the same lines as the scars from the original implant surgery. Dr. Mussat will then remove the implants together with any damaged or inflamed capsular tissue.
What Results Can You Expect After Breast Implant Removal?
It will be necessary to plan for some downtime after your implant removal surgery, including a few days of rest before the gradual resumption of light activity. Dr. Mussat will provide you with specific recovery instructions, which might also include two full weeks without any strenuous activity or exercise and about 10 days without driving.
Be prepared to wear a surgical bra for several weeks while your breasts are healing. With these guidelines in mind, you should be able to return to office-type work within a week.
What Factors Will Affect Your Breast Appearance?
Dr. Mussat’s goal with breast explant surgery is to safely remove your breast implants while simultaneously maintaining or restoring an attractive breast contour and appearance.
If you opt not to replace your implants with a new pair (typically following the experience of symptoms of breast implant illness), Dr. Mussat will be happy to answer your questions about what your breasts will look like following explant surgery.
It’s useful to keep in mind that your breast implants will have stretched the skin, and their weight will probably also cause some sagging of your breasts.
Other factors can also cause variations in the shape, size, and position of your breasts following explant surgery. For instance, if you had gained a significant amount of weight following your initial breast augmentation surgery, your breast volume may be slightly higher than it was before you had the implants placed.
Aging, pregnancy, and genetic factors can also affect the quality of the remaining breast tissue, as well as skin elasticity. You might find these, too, will affect the appearance of your breasts.
Fortunately, working with Dr. Mussat will ensure a beautiful and natural breast appearance. When planning your explant surgery, she will consider your unique requirements, including the quality of your breast tissue, skin elasticity, and personal preferences, and discuss with you all the cosmetic treatment options for a beautiful breast shape after breast implant removal.
Will You Need a Breast Lift After Having Breast Implants Removed?
Dr. Mussat often recommends combining a breast lift with implant removal. A breast lift can reshape your breast contours and restore a younger look by removing excess skin from implant-related stretching, including aging, pregnancy, or weight changes.
Schedule a Consultation
No matter your reason for considering breast implant removal, as a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Florence Mussat can work with you and develop a personalized plan to either return to your natural breast size or find a beautiful aesthetic alternative to your current implants.
Now might be the right time to discuss your options with her, so please contact us today to schedule a consultation at our Chicago, IL, office, or give us a call at (312) 751-9000.
Breast augmentation involving breast implants is the most popular cosmetic surgery performed on women each year. At the time you decided to have your procedure, you probably didn’t give much thought to the fact that one day, you might need to reverse that decision and have your implants removed. After all, the procedure has a very high satisfaction rate where women say the results met or exceeded their expectations.
However, many women with breast implants may decide later to have them removed. Their reasons for doing so might surprise you.
While most breast implants last approximately 15-20 years before needing to be replaced, there are several reasons women might decide to have their breast implants removed earlier. Here we outline three of the top reasons, all or some of which might apply to you and your situation.
You No Longer Want Breast Implants
While you may simply wish to return to a more natural look, you could also be feeling that your implants are too large and are starting to affect your changing activity levels.
Apart from your busy lifestyle, the discomfort caused by the high-impact activities found in today’s increasingly popular cardio and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts could be holding you back from reaching your fitness goals.
Of course, you could also simply be wishing to return to a more natural look.
You Want to Keep up With Current Trends
Breast augmentation used to be a popular trend, but the desire for full, curvaceous buttocks is now receiving more attention. Dr. Mussat has seen an increase in the demand for Brazilian Butt Lift surgery and a decreased desire for large breast implants. Some women with large implants are choosing to downsize or have their implants removed altogether.
You are Experiencing Discomfort or Illness
Complications due to breast augmentation are rare. However, there are cases where excessive scar tissue, known as capsular contracture, develops around the implant. When this happens, as it hardens, it can squeeze the implant. The result is a stiffening of the scar tissue resulting in pain, discomfort, swelling, as well as a noticeable distortion of the breast itself.
Some women with breast implants experience a broad range of health issues. Known as breast implant illness, this is where the patient’s immune system has become compromised due to the implant. This immune response can result in generalized inflammation, flu-like symptoms, gastrointestinal distress, cognitive problems, as well as dizziness and even infection. The removal of the implants may be the only way to eliminate this condition.
During breast implant removal surgery, Dr. Mussat will carefully remove the entire implant, including the capsule of scar tissue surrounding it. This cautious approach prevents contaminants from the implant entering the patient’s body during the removal procedure.
Free Professional Consultation
Call our office today at (312) 751-9000 or contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Florence Mussat, a board-certified plastic surgeon in downtown Chicago. She will help determine if a breast explant might be right for you.
Review Your Situation
Breast implant removal is a highly individualized surgical procedure. Whether or not you want to remove your implants or simply exchange them, a review of the following typical conditions will help consolidate your decision:
- You are no longer comfortable with the appearance or size of your implants
- You experience discomfort or pain
- Your breasts feel too heavy for your activity levels
- You feel that your breast scar tissue is getting harder or tighter
- Your implants have either started to leak or have ruptured
During your consultation with Dr. Florence Mussat, all of your options will be discussed. She will guide you through your customized treatment plan for the removal of your breast implant, as well as its replacement if desired. To schedule your consultation, please call (312) 751-9000 or contact us online today.
Breast augmentation involving implants is still generally considered to be a safe procedure. However, health concerns and even lifestyle changes can cause people to reverse their decision later and to have their breast implants removed.
Women who show symptoms of breast implant rupture may experience medical problems or misgivings associated with the implant. They need to be especially selective of the type of technique used as well as the surgeon for their breast implant removal.
It takes an advanced surgical skill set and training to perform breast implant removal (explant), and this is essential for women who choose to remove their implants entirely. Due to the complexity of this type of implant removal, Dr. Florence Mussat, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, is well qualified to achieve an excellent outcome.
Techniques like breast implant removal procedure is the most complex and sophisticated breast implant removal option. Known as explantation or capsulectomy, this surgery may be the best way to protect the patient from further health complications.
Explantation refers to the removal of the implant as well as the scar tissue surrounding it. This scar tissue, known as the capsule, is tissue created when the body encounters a foreign object like a breast implant. All foreign medical devices, including pacemakers, stents and artificial joints draw some scar tissue. Full capsule removal through breast implant removal or Total Capsulectomy is often the preferred surgical technique. It reduces the possibility of rupturing the implant or disturbing the capsule.
Tips For a Great Recovery
Pre-Surgery Tips
- Dr. Mussat will give you exact instructions for both preparation and recovery.
- Be prepared for an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, taking two to three hours.
- Prepare for your procedure by following a healthy diet and stopping the consumption of alcohol.
- Invest in some probiotics to compensate for the impact any prescribed antibiotics might have on your gut flora.
- Prepare your digestive system: Eat non-constipating foods high in fluid content and fiber such as soups and cooked grains. Avoid constipating foods that include items such as dairy and red meat.
- Prepare your couch or bed ahead of time and have plenty of pillows, clean bedsheets, and blankets ready.
- Gather the following items to have on hand before your procedure: Prescription medicine, water, easy-to-make foods, bags of frozen vegetables or ice packs, wet wipes and makeup removal pads, magazines, books, TV remote, laptop, tablet, electronic device chargers, and clean sets of clothes.
- Recruit family members to take over meal preparation, diaper changes, laundry, and most parenting duties.
- Get encouragement and emotional support from family and friends on your explant journey.
Post-Surgery Tips
- While recovery plans are dependent on the individual patient, post-op care includes drinking plenty of water, stocking up on vitamins and supplements such as amino acids, protein powders, vitamin C, fish oil, and eating citrus, fresh vegetables, lean meats, and almonds.
- The recovery period for an office worker is typically seven to ten days, but longer for someone with a physically active job.
- Allow about six weeks until you can resume strenuous activities like exercising and lifting.
- Be kind to yourself: Don’t push the healing process.
- While scars are inevitable with the surgery, there are ways to reduce the appearance of scars during and after surgery. Learn about which creams/ointments/other products are suitable for scar healing.
- Look for signs confirming that the symptoms leading to your breast removal decision are disappearing. These could include no longer suffering from headaches, improved skin clarity and tone, diminishing nausea, and even fewer allergies.
Next Steps
Breast implant removal may be your most logical choice. The results would be not only improved health but also aesthetically pleasing results.
No matter what reason you decide to consider implant removal, Dr. Florence Mussat, a Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon assisted by her team, can help. Experienced in working with women of all body types and ages, she offers an extensive range of implant removal, reconstruction, and revision surgery options.
Dr. Massat is an expert in providing superb final results through breast implant removal, breast augmentation, or liposuction. Regardless of your breast augmentation options, feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation at our Chicago, IL, office, or give us a call at (312) 751-9000.
