Breast Implant Removal according to Seattle Cometic Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder

Quick Facts

• Costs: simple removal under local anesthesia about $ 2700.  Implant removal and removal of scar tissue around implant under a general anesthetic $5500 – $6500 depending on the length of surgery.  A breast lift done at the same time adds about $5000 to the cost.
• How much it hurts: Simple removal, not much.  More complex removal, quite a bit.
• Time off work or school:  2 days - 2 weeks depending on extent of surgery and occupation.
• Time until driving again: 2 – 7 days or until you are off narcotic pain meds.
• Time in post-operative bra: 3 weeks.
• Time off the gym:  usually 4 weeks.
• Time off the slopes:  usually 4 weeks.
• Time off the kite board:  usually 6 weeks.

The fine print:

There are many reasons why a woman may want to have her breast implants removed. The implants may be old first or second generation implants and have become hardened, distorted and uncomfortable over the years because of surrounding scar tissue . In other cases, the implants may have leaked. Many women, even when thin and small breasted when young, put on weight during the menopausal years and that weight often goes to the chest. A woman with implants may find herself in the position of being too busty and feeling and looking a little matronly. Sometimes when women get older, they just feel silly having implants. I have even had patients who have a major life change (entering a nunnery, for example) and feel their implants no longer reflect their true selves.

The bad news about implant removal is that it is a surgical procedure. Implants can’t be wished away. The good news is that after implant removal, it is almost always possible to do something to help restore the breast to a pleasing appearance. This may involve replacing the old implant with a new one or it may involve lifting the deflated breast  and making it “perky”.   Sometimes women elect to have nothing done and if the patient is young and has fairly elastic skin, the breast will often return to a look similar to the preoperative size and shape.

I have had patients who have suffered for a decade or more with old, hard, painful implants and lived in fear that nothing short of removal of the implant and the breast could be done. This is not the case at all.

Implant removal is usually quite straightforward and there are options for treatment of the deflated breast.

If you are seeking a female, woman or lady plastic surgeon in Seattle, I certainly qualify. I understand “breast issues” and know how challenging navigating the lingerie department can be! I think my part time job after retirement will be the nice older “bra lady” at Nordstrom!

Please see my gallery of photos for some examples of breast implant removal.

Check out my blog on this topic.