This all depends on the reasons for breast implant removal in the first place. If the implants are causing discomfort, pain or illness then it may be best to remove the implants. However, if you are wanting implants removed because you no longer like the look of them or are wanting a different size, it should be considered whether going through the surgery is right for you as all surgery carries some form of risk. It is a very personal choice and one that should be seriously considered based on your individual circumstances and health issues. It is best to have a consultation with Dr Safvat to discuss your concerns and expectations as well as the surgical options. Dr Safvat will ensure that you understand the expected outcome as well as any risks and complications so that you can make an informed decision.

In the long term, some patients may consider additional surgeries such as breast lift or another breast augmentation to reshape the breasts after the implants have been removed.

Implants don’t need to come out unless they are causing symptoms. Some minor symptoms may be treated with fat grafting but overall an implant that is causing symptoms needs to be removed with or without replacement.

In some cases, breast implant removal has an item number (capsulectomy) and patients may get a rebate from Medicare and their health fund. The hospital costs may be covered by private health funds depending on the patients’ level and type of cover. At your first consultation, Dr Safvat and his team will discuss all the costs associated with the surgery and provide you with thorough estimates of the fees involved.

Unfortunately, removing your implants will change the shape and size of your breasts. The implants may have stretched the skin to a point that the breast may look saggy afterwards. However not everyone will have a saggy breast. Dr Safvat can take you through your options and determine whether you would benefit from a breast lift after implant removal.

Dr Safvat is often asked this question from patients who were told their implants need to be removed after 10 years. His reply is implants should only be removed if they are causing problems. It is not a time dependent phenomena. But as a general rule, most new breast implants should last more than 10 years. If you aren’t experiencing any issues and you’re still happy with the shape and size of your breast, implant removal is not necessary. With this being said, if you haven’t had your implants checked in a while, you may want to have them checked to ensure they’re still healthy. From there, you can discuss your options with Dr Safvat and determine whether you should remove or replace them.

The first breast implant was done in 1962 by Cronin & Gerow in the US. These 1st generation implants were viscous silicone in a thick shell. They had a very high incidence of capsular contracture.

The 2nd generation implants were developed in mid to late 70’s and had a less viscous silicone, inside a thin smooth shell. This resulted in less capsular contracture but increased the incidence of the shell rupturing and the silicone gel leaking out.

The 3rd generation implants were developed in the early to mid-80’s to stop shell failure. The shell was more sophisticated and stronger.

The 4th generation implants had the same shell as the 3rd generation implants but the surface was roughened and called textured surface. This again has been shown to decreased capsular contracture in the sub-glandular implants.

The 5th generation implants are like the 4th but the silicone gel inside is cohesive gel. This decreased the chance of leaking even if the shell was ruptured.

The capsular contracture rate of the new textured cohesive gel implants (5th generation) is less than 5% for cosmetic augmentation and 15% for breast reconstruction post-mastectomy. It increases to 40% in post-radiotherapy (Breast Cancer) patients. Dr Safvat only uses the newer 5th generation implants, which significantly reduces the chance of capsular contracture. He also uses micro/ nana textured implants to reduce risk of ALCL.

Anaplastic large cell Lymphoma also called Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (blood cancer), associated with textured or polyurethane breast implants. The incidence for microtextured implants is about 1/18000. The incidence for macrotextured implants are much higher but they have been withdrawn from the Australian market.

ALCL presents with fluid around the implants or a lump. The median time for BIA-ALCL is about 8 years but can happen between 1-37 years after implant insertions.

In most cases the treatment for BIA-ALCL is total capsulectomy. This is the only time that total capsulectomy is warranted.

So it is important to have regular checks of your implant or see Dr Safvat if you feel a lump or there is a change in the size of your breast.

Dr Safvat does the Breast Reduction procedure in the Sydney region (Sutherland Shire and Inner West) as well as in the Southern Highlands, NSW. He only operates in fully accredited Private Hospitals, these being Kareena Private Hospital (Caringbah), Strathfield Private Hospital and Southern Highlands Private Hospital (Bowral).