Florence Mussat, M.D.
680 N Lake Shore Dr. #1030 Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 751-9000

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Category: Breast Implant Removal

3 Top Reasons Chicago Women Are Opting for Breast Implant Removal

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.

Tips for Breast Implant Removal Preparation & Recovery

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.

4 Lovely Aesthetic Options After Breast Implant Removal

Women who have decided that having implants no longer works for them or their circumstances generally prefer breast implant removal. Their reasons might include increased activity levels, changing trends, discomfort, medical considerations, or simply the desire to return to a more natural look. Any of these reasons may make removal of breast implants a logical choice.  

No matter your reason for implant removal, Dr. Florence Mussat, a Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon, and 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. All of these ensure that you can find the right choice to either return to your natural breast size or find a beautiful aesthetic alternative to your current implants. Regardless of your breast augmentation options, feel free to contact us.

Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation

Fat transfer breast enhancement, also known as lipoaugmentation or fat graft, has quickly grown into a favorite and aesthetic breast reconstruction option following implant removal. This technique offers a gorgeous, natural-looking enhancement. Praised for its natural look and feel, lipoaugmentation only uses your body’s natural tissues. As a result, you won’t need to worry about any upkeep of implants down the line. Along with natural-looking results, fat transfer augmentation requires no additional maintenance and is less risky than other breast augmentation procedures.

During the procedure, Dr. Mussat removes fat tissue from stubborn pockets of fat, such as your thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, and flanks. The result is a svelte contour, creating a full-body transformation that slims your overall figure. When removed, these fat cells are then purified in a special machine and then re-injected into the correct breast areas to create fuller, more prominent breasts. The best part with this procedure is that there is no risk of the body rejecting the transferred tissue, and with none of the maintenance typically required of a saline or silicone implant.

Even though fat transfer cannot achieve as dramatic a volume increase as implants, results can come very close. You will still enjoy a lovely, aesthetically pleasing result. If you want more significant sculpting and lift, Dr. Mussat can combine this technique with a breast lift.

Firmer, More Sculptured Breasts with a Breast Lift

 A breast lift,  also known as mastopexy, can restore your breasts to a perky, round shape with proportional nipples and balanced breast height. The result is that your breasts are firmer, more sculpted, and with a more youthful, aesthetically pleasing, perkier appearance.

Should you have chosen to have your breast implants removed, you’ll see a loss in volume. As a result, your breasts may sag or appear deflated, especially among older patients with less skin elasticity.

Having a breast lift will make it appear as if you had never had implants at all. However, keep in mind that you might experience a small degree of additional scarring. The benefits of implant removal will probably outweigh this risk. 

Breast lifts help patients to feel more like themselves, and Dr. Mussat’s patients report that they are delighted with the results.

Breast Implant Removal with Lift or Implant Exchange

While some women may enjoy their breast implants for their lifetime, most women will, at some time, need or want a revision of their initial augmentation. As with all of Dr. Mussat’s procedures, it takes considerable surgical skill and training to perform the selected breast augmentation. Her method prioritizes patient safety and restores the original shape of the breasts.

Once you have had your breast implants removed, you may see an immediate and significant loss in volume. This phenomenon can cause your breasts to sag or appear deflated, especially among older patients with less skin elasticity. After all, implants stretch the skin and, you will almost certainly have loose skin leftover with the removal of your implants. In younger women who typically have had small implants, the breasts will sometimes regain their firmness resulting in the need for no further surgery.

In the vast majority of cases, however, implant removal will need to be accompanied by a breast lift, and perhaps a new replacement implant. The breast implant exchange offered by Dr. Mussat is often the best option for patients. Typically these patients love the results of their implants but are hoping for an aesthetic change or have experienced complications from their initial enhancement. Dr. Mussat can remove your old implants and reinsert new ones using the same incision site as your first enhancement.

The implant exchange option results in no additional scarring, and in general, your recovery time will be far less extensive than it was with your first procedure. After all, your body has already established an implant pocket. The only additional step necessary during revision surgery is pocket adjustments where Dr. Mussat might inject a soft tissue into the location formerly filled by your implants.

Breast Reduction

For women with larger breasts who are hoping for a considerable downsize, breast reduction might be appropriate. You might have experienced increased neck and back pain due to your large breasts. Emotional distress and loss of self-esteem could also be related to their size, and this procedure can provide instant relief. Although the breast reduction procedure is very similar to a breast lift, the amount of tissue Dr. Mussat will remove varies based on your needs.

Beyond the sleeker body outline and aesthetics, you will experience a significant improvement in your quality of life, including a more active lifestyle, a better clothes shopping experience, and an overall improved quality of life.

Schedule a Consultation

 No matter your reason for considering breast implant removal or your desired results, Dr. Mussat can work with you and develop a personalized breast augmentation plan. She is a highly-skilled, Board-Certified Plastic, and Reconstructive surgeon with extensive experience in every dimension of the breast reconstruction process.

Dr. Mussat is an expert in providing superb final results through liposuction, breast implant removal, breast augmentation, or liposuction. Now might be the right time to discuss your breast augmentation, so please contact us today to schedule a consultation at our Chicago, IL, office, or give us a call at (312) 751-9000.