Breast Implant Removal & Replacement

PIP implants were silicone breast implants that contained a silicone gel that was not approved for use in surgery and had potential health risks. They were also found to be up to six times as likely to rupture as high-quality, approved implants.
PIP implants were largely used by cosmetic surgery providers who were looking ot reduce their costs due to the fact that they were the cheapest on the market. Around 50,000 women in the UK received these implants.

Even though no link was ever discovered to link PIP implants to serious health concerns, understandably, many patients who had received the PIP implants in their surgeries wanted them to be removed or replaced.

During the height of the crisis, Cadogan Clinic was at the forefront of assisting patients in replacing their breast implants. As we never used PIP products and enjoy a reputation as one of the leading specialist plastic and cosmetic clinics in the country we continue to see PIP patients today.

Signs of a ruptured implant include:

• swelling or a lump around the breast
• a change in the shape of the breast
• redness, pain or a burning sensation

If you have any of these symptoms of a ruptured implant you should seek immediate medical advice. Typically you will require a scan to confirm you have ruptured implants.

Ruptured implants need to be removed or replaced as soon as they have been diagnosed.

Breast Implant Replacement surgery is relatively straightforward surgery.

Most implants can be removed quite easily, even under local anaesthesia. Polyurethane covered implants (Polytech) can be more difficult to extract, if one wants to remove all the foam covering.

Surgery time is commonly no more than an hour or two.

Breast implants do not have an expiration date. It is not the case that implants should be replaced every 10 years. Breast implants only need to be replaced if they break or rupture. If implants are looking good and feeling good there is no reason to change them.

Breast Implants only need to be replaced in the very rare case whereby they break or rupture. When a saline breast implant ruptures, it can result in a dramatic change in the appearance of the breast, which will effectively deflate, changing its size and shape. In the rare event of a silicone implant rupture, any leaks tend to stay inside the implant, so a silicone breast implant rupture is not always obvious. However a leaking silicone implant may cause pain, tenderness, numbness, swelling, burning or changes in sensation. 

Implants can also be replaced for personal reasons, including wanting to change the shape or size of the implants, breasts change due to weight loss or gain, age or having children.

If you think you require Breast Implant Removal then we recommend you get in touch with your surgeon to discuss this immediately.

Implants that require removal or replacing must be removed addressed swiftly, particularly in the case of ruptured implants or capsular contracture.

All of our breast surgeons perform Breast Implant Removal surgery at the Cadogan Clinic. Breast Implant Removal is straightforward surgery and takes no longer than one hour to complete. If you have any concerns and would like your breast implants checked for potential ruptures, please get in touch with our surgeons who can arrange an ultrasound or MRI scan for you.

The Cadogan Clinic has become a well-known provider of implant replacement services as our reputation as a trusted cosmetics provider was enhanced following the PIP scandal that implicated so many of our competitors.

As one of the few Clinics in the country not to use PIP products and insist on higher quality products, we were at the forefront of the replacement drive. It remains one of our most commonly performed surgical procedures at the Clinic to this day.

When breast implants are removed and not replaced, the skin and tissue should retract to how they were before your initial breast implant surgery, meaning that in all likelihood no additional procedure will be required to restore your previous look. However sometimes breasts can appear saggy, droopy or misshapen after Breast Implant Removal. If this is the case, then you may want to consider a breast lift (mastopexy), which can be performed at the same time as implant removal.

Yes, you can have breast implants removed and replaced at the same time. However if you have an infection your surgeon will ask you to wait for this to clear up before putting in any new implants. This may take in the region of three months.

If you are suffering pain associated with capsular contracture, removing implants can provide almost instant pain relief. If large or over-sized implants are causing you neck or back pain, then removing these will help to alleviate this pain. If you are experiencing any symptoms of a silicone implant leak, removal will help to resolve this. Your surgeon will discuss how you will feel post Breast Implant Removal or Replacement during your consultation.

There are two types of implants, silicone and saline. Saline implants are silicone shells filled with sterile salt water (saline). Silicone implants are silicone shells filled with a plastic gel (silicone).

Silicone implants are the most popular as they look and feel more natural and are less likely to wrinkle, ripple or rupture.

Yes, implants can be removed and not replaced. A person may decide to have their implants removed and not replaced due to natural body changes or personal preference. Occasionally implants may be removed for health reasons, such as capsular contracture.

Yes it is possible to replace just one breast implant, for example in the case of implant rupture. Great care will be taken when inserting the new implant that symmetry is maintained with the other breast.

The appearance of the breasts after Breast Implant Removal varies among patients and depends on factors such as the size of the original implants, breast tissue condition and whether other combination procedures are performed.  

Since there is a risk of loss of volume and sagging breast skin you may look flat chested after Breast Implant Removal surgery. There are several surgical options such as Implant Replacement, Fat Transfer to Breast and Breast Lift that can be discussed with your surgeon to counteract this effect. 

Whether the NHS will remove breast implants which have ruptured depends on your personal circumstances. The NHS will remove breast implants that they have inserted for any reason, including rupture. They may also remove ruptured breast implants in an emergency situation. However, typically, patients who had their breast implants inserted privately, will need to seek private care in order to have them removed or replaced.

The appearance of your breasts after implant removal will depend on several factors including the size and shape of the implants, any other procedures being performed alongside your Breast Implant Removal, and lifestyle factors including weight changes, ageing, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Some patients are concerned that their breasts may look smaller or deflated post breast implant removal. It is important to discuss this with your surgeon so they can suggest ways of addressing these concerns, such as performing  a combined Breast Implant Removal and Uplift to enhance the shape and position of the breasts.