Your breast implants have served their purpose for several years and you’re at a crossroads to determine what comes next: take them out or swap them for a fresh start? Truth be told, there’s no right or wrong answer. Your choice is personal and depends on your lifestyle, health, aesthetic goals and current satisfaction with how your implants have performed.
At Gabrielle B. Davis, MD Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, Dr. Davis understands that this decision requires careful consideration and expert guidance. As a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast revision and explant surgery, she provides comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s unique circumstances.
What Is the Difference Between Breast Implant Removal and Replacement?
Understanding the differences between these two procedures is the first step in making an informed decision.
Breast implant replacement or exchange involves taking out your current implants and replacing them with newer devices that fit your lifestyle in one surgical session. It’s a reset on your breast appearance and allows you to go bigger or smaller, choose saline or silicone, or update to newer technology. You may choose this route if you like the idea of having implants but want to address specific concerns or modernize your look.
Breast implant removal or explant surgery is all about removal with no replacement. It’s getting back to a more natural you and removing scar tissue with implant (capsulectomy) while considering a breast lift to optimize results.
Why Do Women Consider Breast Implant Removal?
Several factors prompt women to consider removing their breast implants:
- Health concerns:Some women experience symptoms they attribute to breast implant illness (BII), including fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, or skin
- Implant complications:Issues such as capsular contracture (hardening scar tissue), implant rupture, migration, or persistent pain may necessitate
- Lifestyle changes:Active lifestyles or physically demanding routines may make implants feel uncomfortable or
- Aesthetic preferences:Evolving beauty standards and personal taste may lead to a desire for a more natural breast size and
- Age-related changes:As women age, implants may shift or no longer complement their body
Why Do Women Choose Breast Implant Replacement?
Women opt for breast implant replacement for various reasons:
- Updating implant technology:Newer implant materials and designs offer improved safety profiles and more natural
- Size adjustments:Life changes such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight fluctuations may prompt a desire for different implant
- Addressing complications:Replacement can correct issues like asymmetry, implant malposition, or capsular contracture while maintaining breast
- Changing aesthetic goals:Evolving preferences regarding breast shape, profile, or projection can be addressed through
- Preventive maintenance:Implants typically last 10 to 15 years, and proactive replacement can prevent future
How Do I Know Which Option Is Right for Me?
Making this decision requires honest reflection on multiple factors.
Your Health Status
If you’ve been dealing with weird symptoms you can’t explain—always exhausted, joints aching, feeling like your immune system’s gone haywire—and you suspect your implants might be the culprit, removal could be your answer. But if you feel fine and your implants haven’t caused any problems? Replacement might be the simpler path
Your Aesthetic Goals
Do you love the fullness implants give you, or are you ready to go back to what nature gave you? Really picture it. What feels right for the next chapter of your life?
Your Lifestyle and Activity Level
If you lead a very active lifestyle or are involved in athletics, removal may better support your comfort and mobility. However, if your lifestyle hasn’t been impacted by your implants, replacement may suit you well.
Financial Considerations
Both surgeries cost money upfront, but replacement means you might be looking at another revision down the road as implants do require long-term maintenance. Removal is usually one and done without added procedures, like a breast lift.
Your Age and Life Stage
Younger women may lean toward replacement to maintain breast volume, while women in their forties, fifties, and beyond frequently choose removal as their priorities shift. The right choice depends on your individual circumstances.
What Can I Expect During a Consultation with Dr. Davis?
Dr. Davis dedicates at least one hour to new consultations, creating a welcoming environment where you’ll feel heard and unrushed. During your consultation, she will:
- Listen carefully to your concerns, goals, and reasons for considering revision orremoval
- Conduct a thorough examination of your breast tissue, current implants, and overallhealth
- Review your medical history, including allergies, previous surgeries, medications, and family history of breastcancer
- Discuss your desired breast size andshape
- Explain the surgical techniques that would best suit yourneeds
- Answer all your questions to ensure you feel fullyinformed
This approach ensures you understand your options and can make a confident decision about your care.
What Does the Surgical Process Involve?
Each procedure involves a compassionate and patient-forward approach that is tailored to best suit your needs and preferences.
Breast Implant Replacement Procedure
For breast implant replacement, Dr. Davis creates appropriate incisions based on your anatomy and circumstances. She safely removes the old implants and inserts new ones using a sterile technique. The procedure may also include repositioning the implant pocket, adjusting the size or shape, or performing a concurrent breast lift.
Explant Surgery Procedure
For explant surgery, Dr. Davis typically creates incisions along the lower fold of your breast or around the areola. She removes both the implants and the breast capsule (scar tissue) using advanced techniques. Depending on your goals and anatomy, she may perform breast tissue reshaping or a breast lift.
Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility, ensuring your safety and comfort. The surgery duration depends on your specific procedural plan.
What Is Recovery Like?
After surgery, you’ll wear a soft wrap for about three days, then switch to a surgical bra or sports bra for the next 3 to 4 weeks. This helps keep swelling down. You’ll have some swelling, bruising, and soreness that’s totally normal, but most women are back to light activities within a week or two.
Dr. Davis provides personalized recovery protocols and remains readily accessible to support your healing process. You may need regular follow-up appointments for at least one year to monitor your results.
Why Choose Dr. Gabrielle B. Davis for Your Breast Revision or Explant Surgery?
As a board-certified female plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Dr. Davis brings unique compassion and understanding to breast procedures. Her approach emphasizes:
- Creating natural-looking results that honor what makes youunique
- Combining scientific principles with expert surgical techniques and artisticcreativity
- Prioritizing patient safety and well-being above allelse
- Providing honest, empathetic care throughout your entirejourney
Dr. Davis serves patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Brentwood, Century City, Bel Air, and surrounding Los Angeles communities.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Ideal Results
Whether you’re considering breast implant removal or replacement, Dr. Davis provides the expert guidance and compassionate care you deserve. Her extensive experience with both procedures ensures beautiful, natural results tailored to your unique goals.
Ready to explore your options? Contact Gabrielle B. Davis, MD Plastic Surgery at (800) 805-3612 or complete our online form to schedule your consultation today. Your questions matter, and Dr. Davis is here to guide you with expertise and support every step of the way.
To learn more about Dr. Davis’s comprehensive breast surgery services, including breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction, visit our website.