It takes a lot of surgical skill and training to perform breast implant removal — also called explant or revision — in a way that prioritizes patient safety and restores the original shape of the breasts. This is essential for women, who, for medical or aesthetic reasons, choose to remove their implants entirely. For women who are symptomatic for a breast implant rupture or are experiencing health problems associated with the implant, it’s incredibly essential that they be vigilant about the type of technique used for breast implant removal. Dr. Mussat utilizes the most complex and sophisticated techniques for breast implant removal to protect each patient from further complications.
Dr. Florence Mussat is well-trained and highly skilled at performing breast implant removals. For your safety and well-being, contact her Chicago office online or by calling (312) 751-9000 to schedule a consultation and learn more about her experience with the procedure and whether it might be appropriate for you.
What’s the Capsule?
A capsule is scar tissue that gradually grows and envelops implants. It happens with all implants because it’s a common response from the body when it encounters a foreign object.
Why Might I Consider a Breast Implant Removal in Chicago?
A breast implant removal surgery is often necessary for a patient’s health and safety-especially when something goes wrong with an implant. Complications with implants can include:
- Rupture of a silicone implant and leakage of the silicone into the surrounding breast tissue.
- The formation of a thickened or hardened capsule around the implant. A capsule is scar tissue that gradually grows and envelops implants. This physical response is normal – capsules form around the knee and hip implants, too. It becomes a problem with a breast implant when a capsule thickens or hardens to the point where it causes discomfort or pain, distorts the shape of the breast, or puts pressure on the implant.
- The development of other health problems related to the implant, such as breast implant illness.
For more information about breast implant illness, please visit Healing Breast Implant Illness and Breast Implant Illness. (Note: These links are to external websites that are not provided or maintained by or in any way affiliated with Florence Mussat M.D., S.C. Florence Mussat M.D., S.C. does not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any information on these external websites.)
What Happens During a Breast Implant Removal?
The breast implant removal procedure entails carefully removing the capsule and the implant together as a single, untouched unit. The surgery aims to remove ruptured silicone implants without further contaminating the body with silicone gel.
Removing the capsule entirely ensures that the body doesn’t reabsorb a contaminated capsule, and the careful removal of the implant ensures that no other material is left behind. As a precautionary measure after the removal, Dr. Mussat might install a drain to further discourage the formation of another capsule and to help the breast regain its original shape.
During your surgery, Dr. Mussat will repair muscle and tissue to restore the original contours of the breast. After she removes the capsule and the implant, your breast tissue and muscles should gradually settle back to their original position on the chest wall, leaving you with breasts that look and feel natural.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Implant Removal
What is breast explant surgery?
Explant surgery is a cosmetic breast surgery in which breast implants are removed. More than ever and for various reasons, women around the world are choosing to remove their implants. Some aren’t satisfied with the appearance of their implants, while others have been experiencing complications that necessitate the procedure. The most common reasons women remove implants include:
- Dissatisfaction with the look or feel
- Leaks or ruptures
- Capsular contracture prevention or mitigation
- Size adjustments with breast revision surgery
How much does a breast implant removal cost in Chicago, and will my insurance cover it?
Dr. Mussat will explain the cost of the procedure as part of her consultation and will help you understand whether insurance may cover all or part of the cost. For more information, read our FAQs on insurance coverage for a breast implant removal.
Will I need downtime for recovery?
As with your original implant surgery, you will need downtime for rest and healing after a breast implant removal. You should plan to rest for several days after the procedure and avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks.
How will I look after breast implant removal surgery?
Many women ask whether they will look good after their breast implant removal: a challenging question to answer. The appearance of the breasts depends on their size relative to the implants, the degree to which the breast tissue has been displaced over time, and the amount of remaining skin elasticity. Whether things look good depends on these physical factors and how a woman perceives her “new” breasts relative to how she feels about her body and whether her breasts play the same role they did when the implants were originally placed.
Read our FAQs on insurance coverage for breast implant removal in Chicago.
To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Mussat and learn more about breast implant removal, contact her Chicago office online or by calling (312) 751-9000 today.
