Breast implants aren’t made to last a lifetime. That said, if you’re happy with the look and feel of your implants, there’s no need to have them removed. There are several common reasons women decide they no longer want to keep their implants:

• Personal Preference: Many of our explant patients simply no longer want their implants due to a change in aesthetic preference. Explant surgery offers a transformation and the opportunity to refine your body contour to match the look you currently want.
• Increased Comfort: Especially for patients with larger implants, everyday activities and certain exercises can become challenging or even painful over time. Implant removal reduces any movement restrictions and minimizes any back pain or muscle strain caused by the weight and bulk of the implants.
• BIA-ALCL: This extremely rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has been clinically linked to a small group of textured breast implants. It forms around the breast capsule and can cause hardening of the tissue and discomfort, but it is not breast cancer. When diagnosed early, explant surgery offers a proven and safe treatment method.
• Breast Implant Illness (BII): While there is no medical diagnosis for BII, some women feel that their implants may be connected to a variety of symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and chronic pain. If a patient believes implant removal will improve their health, we can help.

In most cases, our patients often cite some combination of these reasons. If you’re on the fence about implant removal, scheduling a consultation with Dr. Armijo to discuss your concerns and options can be a big help. Patients can choose between breast revision surgery to correct an issue, breast reduction, implant exchange, or removal without replacement.