Removing Breast Implants
Now why'd you want to do that? Didn't you opt for them to get that hour-glass figure, and bring sensuality and self-confidence back into your life? According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, close to 250,000 women chose breast augmentation surgery in 2003 alone. However, what's surprising is more than 40,000 of these women had their breast implants removed the same year!
Reasons for breast implant removal
Well, if you share the views of Pamela Anderson, the Baywatch bombshell, who got her implants removed because she wanted her 'body to return to its original state', you'd be in a minority. For others, the removal surgery is more of a compulsion than a choice. Almost seventy-five percent of all breast implant removal surgery is generally performed for three main reasons:
a. Change in size or shape of the implant that distorts the appearance of the breast.
b. Implant leakage or rupture resulting in breast deflation.
c. Capsular contracture, that is, the tightening or squeezing of the implant by the skin lining the implants.
However, there can be other reasons too, like implant wrinkling, shifting, sagging, scarring, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, hematoma, seroma, necrosis (formation of dead tissue around the implant, which may prevent wound healing), calcium deposits, health concerns or diagnosis of breast cancer.
Removing breast implants
The breast implants are surgically removed under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia combined with IV sedation. The procedure involves putting an incision in the infra-mammary fold, that is, under the breast or in the areola, the region around the nipple to cut into the capsule around the implant. The implant is then carefully removed. If it’s saline, it’s usually deflated, before being taken out and if it’s silicone-filled, it’s inspected for any signs of damage before removal.
The whole process takes thirty minutes to an hour to complete. The good news is you don’t have to get hospitalized for it; you can easily get it done as an outpatient. But the bad news is it can set you back by a thousand to four thousand dollars!
So, how does it feel after breast implant removal? Well, for the first few days there may be mild discomfort, swelling and bruising. Although not common, you may suffer from complications like loss of nipple sensation, scarring, bleeding and loose skin. However, the recovery is usually quick and you can return to your everyday activity within a few days and full activity within two to three weeks. Full recovery may take a few months.
The downside of breast implant removal
The consequences of breast implant removal can be both physical and psychological. On the physical side, women who get large breast implants removed, especially those inserted subglandularly, that is, on top of the muscle and under the mammary glands, can be stranded with a major cosmetic deformity in their breasts and may require replacement of breast implants or go in for further cosmetic surgery. This surgery may also result in tissue atrophy and chest wall deformity. Breasts may also get smaller than they were before the implants, because of hormonal changes or weight loss. Sagging may also become more apparent in them.
Psychological trauma to breast implant removal is more common than women would like to admit. However, remember it’s normal to feel sad or upset after implant removal, even if it’s your decision to have them removed. The most common, but unfounded, fear is if the implants are removed, the breasts will look deformed. In severe cases of psychological treatment may be required.
Breast implant removal, if not necessitated by circumstances, is a choice you can exercise at any time. And under a skilled plastic surgeon, you can certainly get your 'body to return to its original state' and feel good about it too!
|
