Implant Removal and Autoaugmentation

Consultations offered at our five convenient locations in Harley Street, London, Princess Margaret Hospital, (Windsor), Spire Thames Valley, (Gerrards Cross), Kings' Oak Hospital, (Enfield) and Refresh Medispa, (Amersham)

Implant removal is a surgical procedure that removes the silicone or saline implants from your breast tissue when the breasts are experiencing deflation or other medical complications. Following breast implant removal, breast autoaugmentation can enhance the breasts, implant-free, to improve or maintain the beautiful symmetry and contours you had with implants.

Dr Maisam Fazel is a leading consultant aesthetic, oncoplastic, and reconstructive surgeon who specialises in a wide range of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. He leads his practice, Refresh, with an exceptional reputation for his expertise in post-pregnancy body reshaping, VASER liposuction, PLEXR soft surgery, and his subtle facial and dermal filler techniques. Additionally, Dr Fazel is also an award-winning surgeon, awarded the Best National Onco-Plastic Breast and Cosmetic Surgery Specialist in the 2019 Private Healthcare Awards.

If you are experiencing concerns with your current breast implants or seeking to rejuvenate your breasts, contact us online or call our office at +44 330 660 0979 to schedule your personal consultation.

About Implant Removal

Breast implant removal is a procedure that addresses concerns related to previous breast enhancement treatments. (1) Breast implants can increase the volume of the breasts for a more contoured and cohesive appearance, but over time, changes from ageing, pregnancy, and weight loss can affect their appearance. Furthermore, many patients wish to update or remove their implants due to changing preferences. Breast implants are also not lifetime devices, and all will eventually require removal or replacement.

You should remove your implants if you are experiencing:

  • Capsular contracture: A condition where scar tissue shrinks around the implant and causes comfort and aesthetic changes.
  • Breast implant illness: Implants can cause brain fog, fatigue, or nausea after a while, so removing implants can help you find relief and improve your quality of life.
  • Implant displacement: Breast implants can shift inside the breast pockets and cause asymmetry. To address this, Dr Fazel can reshape the breast mound and/or remove the implant and place a new one.
  • Ruptured implants: If your implant ruptures or tears, Dr Fazel and his team can remove it and place a new one to help you maintain the results of your breast augmentation.

Breast Autoaugmentation

Breast autoaugmentation is a specialised type of breast lift (mastopexy) that lifts and reshapes the breasts while using your own tissue to replace volume (instead of using silicone or saline implants). This technique involves moving existing breast tissue from the lower part of the breast and rotating or shifting it upward to the upper part of the chest. (2) This upward shift restores upper pole fullness and youthful perkiness without adding implants or any other foreign materials. This procedure is ideal for lifting and augmenting the breasts with your own tissue, rejuvenating the breasts without losing size. An autoaugmentation breast lift, unlike a traditional breast lift, uses the excess tissue and repurposes it to reshape and volumise your current breast size.

Benefits

Implant removal effectively resolves several implant-related complications while bringing several other advantages, such as:

  • Pain relief
  • Elimination of rupture and leak risks
  • Reduced risk of implant complications
  • Natural-looking appearance
  • Halts the financial burden of future replacement surgeries

By using natural breast tissue to replace the volume of implants, patients also benefit by:

  • Eliminating the risk of capsular contracture
  • Regaining natural-looking fullness
  • Restoring upper-pole fullness
  • Preserving breast volume
  • Raising the breasts to a youthful position

Candidates

If you wish to remove your breast implants due to complications or personal preference but wish to maintain the beautiful fullness you have achieved, implant removal and autoaugmentation may be your ideal procedure. To qualify for treatment, you must have enough existing and healthy breast tissue to use for reshaping and repositioning into a supportive pocket, be a non-smoker, be in relatively good health, and have realistic expectations for your results. Dr Fazel will finalise your candidacy during your consultation.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr Fazel will evaluate your medical history, review your concerns, and discuss your goals and the outcomes you can achieve through implant removal and autoaugmentation. He will also perform a physical examination of your breasts to further understand your anatomy to plan your procedure more precisely. With this important information, Dr Fazel will create your personalised treatment plan. Throughout this meeting, his goal is for you to feel confident and prepared to undergo your procedure. Contact us online or call our office at +44 330 660 0979 to schedule your personal consultation.

Preparation

Effectively preparing for your breast implant removal and autoaugmentation ensures a safe and effective procedure with a smooth recovery. Dr Fazel advises that you:

  • Avoid taking blood-thinning medications and supplements
  • Cease smoking and nicotine use
  • Take time off from work and other important commitments
  • Arrange transportation home after your procedure
  • Receive help from a caregiver for at least your first recovery day
  • Pick up prescribed pain medications

Procedure

At the beginning of your procedure, you will receive general anaesthesia to prevent any discomfort. Next, Dr Fazel will make an incision. Most often, this is in the same location as your initial breast augmentation incision, but Dr Fazel may expand it for the autoaugmentation. Once he gains access through the incision, he will carefully remove the existing breast implant. Dr Fazel will open and refine the internal tissue pocket where the implant used to sit. Next, he will mobilise and rotate your natural lower-pole breast tissue upward into the upper pocket to restore upper fullness and a lifted appearance. Dr Fazel will suture the tissue securely to the chest wall or muscle for lasting support. Lastly, he will trim the excess skin and tissue and reposition the nipple-areolar complex higher to match the new definition of the breasts and close the incisions. He will dress the breasts to protect them and apply a compression garment to reduce swelling during your recovery. The entire procedure will take about three to five hours.

Recovery

After your procedure, your chest will feel tight and have some bruising. This may limit your arms’ range of motion. For the first two weeks, you must wear your compression garments daily and only remove them when showering. You will need to avoid heavy lifting and raising your arms, and strictly sleep on your back to minimise swelling. After three weeks, you can participate in light walking, but you must still avoid strenuous activities and driving, as they can cause discomfort while healing. You will attend a follow-up appointment with Dr Fazel where he will remove your sutures and gradually increase your daily activity, depending on how your recovery is going. After a month, you will reach the long-term healing phase, where the residual internal swelling will slowly resolve and your breasts will soften and settle into their natural shape. You can expect to see the final and long-lasting result after 6 to 12 months.

Results

The results from an implant removal and autoaugmentation will be a perkier and lifted breast appearance. They will sit higher, have a rounder and more youthful profile, and appear more natural-looking compared to breasts that have implants. The feel and movement of your breasts will be softer and natural, and they will age gracefully without the appearance or risk of implants.

Cost of Implant Removal and Autoaugmentation in London and Buckinghamshire

The total cost of your implant removal and autoaugmentation will vary depending on the techniques Dr Fazel will utilise, the severity of your breast concerns, and your overall goals for your procedure. He will provide you with a detailed cost outline during your personal consultation. Contact us online or call our office at +44 330 660 0979 to learn more!

FAQ

What is breast autoaugmentation?

Breast autoaugmentation is a procedure that utilises your own natural breast tissue instead of implants to restore their shape, lift the breasts, and increase their volume and fullness.

Why is it beneficial to combine breast implant removal with an autoaugmentation?

Combining breast implant removal with an autoaugmentation is beneficial because it removes implants but replaces their volume with your existing tissue to preserve the appearance you had.

What are the benefits of an implant removal and autoaugmentation?

An implant removal and autoaugmentation deliver a natural-looking appearance to your breasts, increase their fullness and volume, and prevent a deflated appearance even over time.

What is the difference between a standard breast lift and an autoaugmentation?

A standard breast lift removes excess skin and tightens sagging tissue, while an autoaugmentation internally repositions your own lower tissues to create fullness and perkiness in your breasts without using implants.

How much does combining an implant removal with an autoaugmentation cost?

The total cost of your implant removal and autoaugmentation depends on the overall goals for your results, the techniques Dr Fazel will utilise, and more! He will provide you with a detailed cost outline during your personal consultation.

References

  1. Akpolat YT, Dryden MJ, Scoggins ME, et al. Imaging Features Following Breast Explant Surgery: A Pictorial Essay. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023;13(13):2173. doi:10.3390/diagnostics13132173.
  2. Kirwan L, Wazir U, Mokbel K. Breast Auto-Augmentation: A Versatile Method of Breast Rehabilitation-A Retrospective Series of 107 Procedures. Arch Plast Surg. 2015;42(4):438-445. doi:10.5999/aps.2015.42.4.438