What Happens When You Have Breast Implants Removed
Generally speaking, there are a few reasons women who undergo breast augmentation or breast reconstruction with implants later wish to have them removed, says Melissa Doft, MD, double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of Doft Plastic Surgery in New York City:
- Capsular Contracture: The most common reason for removal, according to Dr. Doft, the condition occurs when the capsule that forms around the implant hardens, distorting the implant and potentially causing pain.
- Patient Preference: Some women decide they simply no longer want to have implants. “They may have had them placed 20 years ago and find that the size no longer fits their body,” Dr. Doft says.
- Breast Implant Illness (BII) Symptoms: Breast implant patients sometimes describe symptoms like fatigue, chronic pain, hair loss, headaches, photosensitivity, sleep disturbance, and depression (to name a few) that may be attributed to the implants. “It is unclear if BII is a real disease, as removing the implant often does not improve symptoms,” Dr. Doft explains.