implant removal

  • GMC specialist registered surgeons
  • competitive prices and finance options
  • results you can trust
  • outstanding care from all the team

implant removal

Patients choose to remove their breast implants for many reasons. Our expert surgeons are here to listen and advise you so you make the right decision.

breast implant removal options

The type of breast removal procedure that’s right for you depends on why you are removing your breast implants. The different types of implant removal surgery are:

  • Breast implant removal – your surgeon removes your current breast implants but does not replace them with new implants at your request.
  • Breast capsulectomy – capsular contracture can cause pain and distortion in your breast’s appearance. With a capsulectomy, your surgeon removes the capsule (abnormally thick, hardened scar tissue that sometimes forms around breast implants). They will remove the breast implant during the procedure.
  • En-bloccapsulectomy – this procedure’s name comes from ‘en-bloc’, which means all together in French, and capsulectomy, meaning capsule removal. As it implies, the surgeon removes the capsule and breast implant together. If the surgeon can’t remove the capsule tissue as a whole, they may perform a breast capsulectomy instead.
  • Breast implant removal with breast uplift (mastopexy) – this combined procedure may suit you if your surgeon feels your breast tissue has stretched through childbirth, weight loss or natural ageing. They will remove the breast implant and lift your nipple and breast back to their natural position.
  • Fat-transfer (lipo-modelling) – the surgeon removes your breast implants and fat from other body areas to create breast volume. They take fat from an area of the body, such as the tummy or thighs, using liposuction, process it and inject it into the breast.

at a glance

Procedure time

1-3 hours

Anaesthetic type

General

Hospital stay

Day/night

Recuperation

7-10 days

Price from

£4,500

Your four step journey

Your four step journey

your consultation

You’ll meet one of our expert surgeons.

It’s usual for patients to worry about a significant decision such as revision surgery, but you will receive the highest standards of care and treatment at The Levant Clinic. Your first step is to meet one of our highly qualified world-renowned cosmetic surgeons who will tell you about the procedure and put your mind at ease. They provide trusted advice and tailor your treatment to your needs and aspirations.

your surgeon will:

  • Look through your medical history
  • Talk about your aims and expectations
  • Assess whether implant removal is suitable
  • Discuss which technique they will use
  • Tell you about implant removal’s possible risks and complications

you can expect:

  • An examination and measurement of your breasts
  • Your questions to be answered, including aftercare and the recovery process
  • Your surgeon to show you before and after photographs of their work
  • A clinic letter detailing your discussion with your surgeon and surgical plan

getting ready for your breast implant removal

Safe approach with all the information you need.

pre-op assessments and advice

At The Levant Clinic we have an experienced team to make the lead up to your procedure safe, smooth and well informed. Our preparation for your breast implant removal involves:

  • A pre-op meeting with your plastic surgeon.
  • Information you need in the lead up to your procedure.
  • Pre-operative assessments which include MRSA swabs.
  • Medication advice – This includes stopping medications that increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and herbal medicines, two weeks before surgery. We will also give you advice regarding any other medications you are taking.
  • Smoking advice – You’ll need to stop smoking, using nicotine patches or gum at least four weeks before and after the procedure.

preparing for your hospital stay

  • You won’t eat or drink for six hours before your procedure except clear water
  • You’ll need to arrange for someone to pick you up from the hospital
  • We advise you not to wear make-up, jewellery, or perfume on the day.

what to bring with you on the day:

  • Any medication you are taking
  • Post-surgery support bra
  • Dressing gown and slippers
  • Something to read
  • Toiletries.

breast implant removal

Safety, care and trusted plastic surgeons.

at the hospital

Your breast implant removal takes place in a CQC-registered hospital. After your admission you will be settled into your private room. Several different members of the surgical team and hospital staff will visit you ahead of your procedure, but you’ll have time to relax.

Your surgeon will come and answer any of your queries or concerns. They will take surgical photographs and mark your body ready for the for your breast implant removal.

Your anaesthetist is another person who will introduce themselves before surgery. We encourage you to ask them any question about the anaesthesia. We perform breast implant removal under a general anaesthetic, combined with a local anaesthetic infiltration to make you comfortable afterwards.

 

breast implant removal – what happens?

It takes about an hour to perform breast implant removal and up to three hours if you need a capsulectomy.

Once you’re anaesthetised (asleep) and in theatre, your surgeon will make an incision in your original scar to prevent further scarring. They will remove the current implant and cut away any tissue capsule causing contracture before stitching the incision closed. A capsulectomy often requires a drain.

Your surgeon will apply dressings on the wound and put you in a post-op support bra provided by our clinic. In addition, we have developed a wound closure technique so you can shower the same day.

after your breast implant removal

Your aftercare is important to us.

getting home

You will receive post-operative advice before you leave the hospital, so you will know what to expect in the days following your breast implant removal. You’ll go home the same day unless you are combining your removal with other procedures or have capsular contracture. You’ll need to arrange for a friend, family member or taxi to take you home, as you won’t be able to drive.

 

outstanding after-care

At The Levant Clinic our aftercare is very important to us. By the time you have surgery, you’ll know our team well. We will contact you regularly and respond to your questions quickly.

  • You will stay under your surgeon’s direct care, with support from our focused team
  • We don’t pass you to a nurse for follow-up care
  • We give you a 24/7 telephone number to call with further questions
  • Our team can refer you to your surgeon directly at any time.

recovery timeline

Breast implant removal is a simple procedure with minimal downtime. We will give you tailored advice regarding your aftercare and recovery, but here is a general guide to what you can expect:
same day
  • You’ll go home if it’s a simple implant removal.
  • If you have capsular contracture or rupture, you will stay in hospital overnight because a drain may be required.
following day
  • You’ll be discharged from hospital if you have had an overnight stay and drains are usually removed
  • Mobilise as much as you can.
first two weeks
  • How you will feel – Patients often feel sore and tender, but you’ll be prescribed pain relief to reduce any discomfort.
  • Your surgeon will encourage you to move about as much as possible.
  • Sleeping – Sleep on your back with your head elevated as this will help your recovery.
  • Movement – We encourage you to mobilise as much as possible, but suggest you avoid strenuous activity.
  • Help with daily activities – Ask someone to be around to help you, including with childcare.
  • Work – You can probably return to work or similar activities in about 7-10 days. If your job is physically demanding and/or you have capsular contracture or rupture – then it may be a little longer. Ask your surgeon for any medical certificates you require.
  • Follow up appointment with your surgeon.
two weeks and beyond
  • Healing – Breast implant removal takes about 2 weeks to heal.
  • Bruising and swelling – This is common in the first 14 days.
  • Stitches dissolve.
  • Driving – When you have stopped taking pain medication and can perform an emergency manoeuvre (stop), usually from 2 weeks.
  • Short-haul flights can be taken after 4 weeks.
  • Back to normal activities, including exercise at 6 weeks.
  • Post-op support bra – wear for 6 weeks, except in the shower.
  • Long-haul flight at 6 weeks.
  • Results – you will notice a difference immediately, but full results will be seen from 6 weeks.
  • Follow up appointments – The first year after your procedure, your consultant surgeon will review you to monitor how you’re healing and recovering.

You can exercise six weeks after your breast implant removal.

Most patients take 7-10 days to recover before returning to work, but this may be a little longer if your job involves manual labour and/or you have capsular contracture or rupture.

You should wear your support bra for six weeks, apart from in the shower or bath.

You can start driving once you have stopped taking pain medication and can perform an emergency manoeuvre (stop), usually about two weeks after the procedure.

You’ll need a week’s grace for any travel. We advise waiting two weeks before boarding a plane – and up to six weeks for a long-haul flight.

You will see a difference in your breasts straightaway, but it will a few weeks for them to settle. Therefore, you can expect to see the full results of your breast implant removal from three to six weeks after surgery.

Your surgeon uses your previous scar-line to avoid additional scars. Scars are also hidden underneath the breast in the crease line and usually settle and fade within 12 months.


frequently asked questions

All operations involve some risk, but it’s relatively low in implant removal surgery.

The possible complications of implant removal surgery include infection, bleeding, abnormal scarring, seroma (fluid collection), numbness and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Your surgeon will explain any risks and complications associated with your operation in more detail during the consultation.

At The Levant Clinic, all our surgeons are accredited by the GMC and hold the FCRS (Plast) qualification. We take the utmost care to minimise risks.

  • Breast implant rupture – rare nowadays, but it is a complication of breast augmentation surgery. Rupture means the implant shell breaks. Signs that your breast implant may have ruptured include breast shape and size changes, increasing pain and firmness, and swelling.
  • Capsular contracture – fibrous tissue forms naturally around a breast implant, creating a protective tissue capsule that keeps the implant in place. It should feel soft or slightly firm and go unnoticed. However, sometimes the formed capsule is hard and dense, tightening and squeezing the implant. Signs that you may have capsular contracture include chronic pain and distortion in the breast shape, growing firmness or tightness in the breast and the breast rising higher on the chest.

We have partnered with Plim to offer tailored finance options that help you pay for your procedure – and we are clear about the costs of surgery at every stage.

Find out more about the finance options that we offer.

At your initial consultation, your expert surgeon will give you time to discuss your concerns, options, and the most suitable approach for you.

It is always a good idea to create a list of questions you may want to ask in advance. But there’s often much to discuss, so if you forget to ask something in the consultation, you can contact our dedicated team, who can go back to your surgeon for your answer. Questions you may want to consider are:

  • Is this procedure right for me?
  • What surgical technique do you recommend?
  • How long is the recovery period, and what help will I need during it?
  • What will I need to do to get the best results?
  • What can I do if I don’t like the outcome?
  • Can I see before and after photos for this procedure?

why choose the levant clinic?

We focus on results, safety, and care.

  • Expert consultant plastic surgeons – with years of experience in performing cosmetic breast surgery.
  • Safety – surgeons accredited on the GMC specialist register for plastic surgery.
  • Prestigious London hospitals – for your safety, comfort, and care.
  • Results you can trust – five-star reviews.
  • Competitively priced packages – transparent pricing with no hidden extras.
  • Comprehensive consultations – plenty of time to talk to your surgeon and ask questions, with detailed patient information tailored to you.
  • Outstanding care and treatment – Our dedicated team and friendly surgeons look after you at every stage, including follow-up. We don’t pass you to a nurse for this, as your aftercare is vital.
  • Peace of mind – contact us through our 24-hour patient helpline.

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