Breast Implant Removal in Newport Beach, CA

Name: Breast Implant Removal
Brand: Richard H. Lee
Rating: 5 (267 reviews)

Plastic Surgeon & Medical Spa Serving Newport Beach, Orange County & the Greater Los Angeles Area of California

When you undergo breast augmentation, you should expect that you’ll be happy with your new breast appearance. For the overwhelming majority of women, this is what happens. However, there are some instances where this isn’t the case.

woman with long dark hair in a green swimsuit surrounded by greenery.

If you have decided that you prefer to remove your breast implants and return to your original breast size, Dr. Richard H. Lee can help. Dr. Lee is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 15 years of experience, and he can perform a breast implant removal procedure if you decide that you no longer want implants. You can receive individualized treatment recommendations by speaking with Dr. Lee in person. Please contact our office today to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in Newport Beach, Irvine, and throughout Orange County, California.

Common Reasons Why Breast Implants Are Removed

There are a variety of reasons why you may decide to remove your breast implants, including:

Development of breast implant illness
Complications with your breast implants such as capsular contracture
Infection
Necrosis of the tissue around the breast implant
Breast implant rupture
Interference with your lifestyle, particularly if you are very active
The development of back, neck, or shoulder pain associated with large, heavy breasts

If you prefer to replace your current implants with a new set that will provide you with your desired appearance, Dr. Lee can perform a breast implant exchange procedure. However, Dr. Lee can also remove your implants and restore your original breast size if this is your preferred outcome.

Breast Implant Removal to Address Breast Implant Illness

Breast implant illness is a rare condition that occurs when a woman’s body has an adverse reaction to the presence of a breast implant. Some of the symptoms associated with breast implant illness include:

Fatigue
Pain in the chest and ribs
Hair loss
Lack of moisture in the skin
Thinning of the skin
Depression
Memory loss
Reduced energy level
Muscle aches and joint pain
Thyroid function abnormality
Gastrointestinal and digestive problems

It’s important to understand that the presence of one or more of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you are experiencing breast implant illness. You will need to work with your primary care doctor to diagnose the cause of these symptoms. If your physician believes they are being caused by breast implant illness, Dr. Lee can then help you remove your implants to eliminate the problems you’re experiencing.

Before & After

View Gallery

Your Breast Implant Removal Procedure

Your breast implant removal surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Depending on the specifics of your procedure, it may take between one and three hours to complete. Dr. Lee will make an incision near the incision location used for your initial breast augmentation procedure. He will then remove your implants.

If you are experiencing capsular contracture, a complication when scar tissue forms a thick “capsule” around the implant, Dr. Lee may also perform a capsulectomy to remove this scar tissue. In most instances, Dr. Lee will perform a breast lift after removing your implants. This will address any sagging issues due to your increased breast size, and it will restore a perkier, more youthful breast appearance.

Recovery After Breast Implant Removal

The recovery after breast implant removal varies based on the extensiveness of your procedure and your body’s innate ability to heal. However, the recovery is much easier in most instances than the initial breast augmentation recovery when your implants were first placed. In general, there is minimal post-operative discomfort associated with this procedure, and you should be able to return to work after about five days. However, you will need to avoid strenuous activity, exercise, and heavy lifting for about six weeks. Dr. Lee will monitor your recovery closely and advise you when you can resume these activities.

Contact Our Newport Beach Breast Surgeon

If you are interested in breast implant removal, please contact Dr. Richard H. Lee to schedule a consultation. Dr. Lee is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 15 years of experience. As a plastic surgeon, he is able to perform both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, allowing him to remove your implants and help reconstruct your breasts. Dr. Lee serves patients in Newport Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, and throughout Orange County, California.