Breast Implant Removal

To see Dr Avery, you will need a referral from your GP or another specialist who knows you well. Some people seek a consultation after speaking with family or friends, or following their own research into plastic surgery.

The initial consultation is an opportunity to discuss your personal reasons for considering surgery, your expectations, and any questions or concerns you may have. Dr Avery will take time to understand your health history and circumstances so that the information you receive is specific to you.

When you arrive at Avery, you will be welcomed by our Care Team and asked to complete a medical history form if this has not already been done. You are welcome to bring a supportive family member or friend with you to your consultation, should you wish, to help you collect and retain al of the information you need to make an informed decision about surgery.

As part of the consultation, Dr Avery will carry out an examination of the area of concern and provide information about whether surgery may be suitable for you. This discussion will include what the procedure involves, the possible risks and complications, and any limitations that may apply in your situation. The aim is to provide you with clear information about what surgery may or may not achieve, and whether it is an appropriate option for you.

Your consultation will also include discussion of the estimated costs associated with surgery.

After your appointment, our Care Team is available to answer any further questions, including those relating to fees and practical next steps.

At Avery, our focus is to provide you with accurate and personalised information to support your decision-making process before, during, and after surgery.

Breast implant removal surgery is carried out in an accredited hospital under a general anaesthetic. The nature and extent of the operation depends on factors such as the incision placement, whether part or all of the implant capsule (the scar tissue around the implant) is removed, and whether a breast lift is performed at the same time.

When a breast lift is not performed, the incision is often placed in the breast crease (inframammary fold). If a lift is performed, the incisions may follow a “lollipop” or “anchor” pattern.

The capsule may be removed completely or partially, depending on its thickness, what it is attached to, and findings during surgery. The capsule is a layer of scar tissue that naturally forms around all implants.

The operation usually takes between one and two hours. An overnight hospital stay is commonly required. In some cases, surgical drains are placed temporarily to remove fluid from the surgical site. Sutures are typically placed beneath the skin, and dressings are applied to protect the incisions. Your surgeon will advise you on the type of dressings used and specific wound care instructions.

As with all surgical procedures, Breast implant removal surgery does have risks, despite the highest standards of practice. It is not common practice for any surgeon to outline in detail every possible side effect or rare complication. However, it is important that you are informed of the more common risks and the less common but potentially very significant complications, so you can carefully weigh the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of surgery. It is usually possible to provide a more comprehensive list of potential risks and complications related to surgery, so that any risks particularly relevant to an individual can be identified and discussed further.

The following possible complications are listed to inform and not to alarm you. There may be other complications that are not listed. Smoking, obesity, and other significant medical problems will cause greater risk of complications.

Some general risks and possible complications of surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Heavy bleeding from an operated site. This may require a blood transfusion.
• Infection that may require treatment with antibiotics or further surgery in some cases.
• Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings or antiseptic solutions.
• The formation of a large blood clot (haematoma) beneath an incision site may require further surgery.
• Complications such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism or stroke may be caused by a blood clot, which can be life threatening.
• Pain, bruising and swelling around the operated site(s).
• Slow healing.
• Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia and other risks related to anaesthesia.
• Tissue cannot heal without scarring and that how one scars is dependent on individual genetic characteristics. Dr Avery will do his best to minimise scarring but cannot control its ultimate appearance.
• Smoking or using nicotine products during the 3–4-week pre-operative and post-operative periods is prohibited as these could dramatically increase the chances of complications.
• All medications I am currently taking, including prescriptions, over the counter remedies, herbal therapies and supplements, aspirin, and any other recreational drug or alcohol use can affect the safety of my surgery.
• There can be no guarantees about the results of any surgery.

Some specific risks for breast implant removal surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Hematoma (bleeding / blood accumulation) which may require surgery.
• Possible impact on ability to breastfeed.
• Infection.
• Loss of nipple sensation.
• Scarring which may influence future surgery if required.
• Impact on my physical appearance, such as distortion, wrinkling, significant loss of volume; the extent and impact of this may be variable and unpredictable.
• Need for more surgery for surgical corrections (revision surgery – short or long term).
• Further recovery time if further surgery is required.
• Pain and discomfort.
• Failure to improve all symptoms thought to be related to breast implants.
• DVT (deep vein thrombosis) – clot in legs or PE (pulmonary embolus) – clot in lungs.
• Allergic reactions to tape, suture material, topical preparations, medications.
• Implant rupture and inability to remove 100% of the residual silicone from the breast or lymph nodes.
• It may not be possible to remove all of capsule (scar tissue layer).
• It may not be possible to remove implant and capsule as one (en-bloc removal).
• Dissatisfaction or disappointment with result.

Breast implant removal may be performed as a day procedure, although an overnight hospital stay is common. In cases where implant removal is combined with other breast procedures, a longer hospital stay may be required.

Patients will need to arrange for someone to drive them home after discharge. It is also advisable to have another adult available to provide support during the first night after surgery.

A supportive surgical bra is usually recommended for approximately 4–6 weeks following surgery. This helps to support the breast tissue and protect the incisions. Swelling and discomfort are expected after surgery and typically improve gradually over several weeks.

Most people need time away from work and normal activities. For some, this may be up to two weeks, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the type of work performed. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and high-impact activities are generally restricted for at least 4–6 weeks, with gradual return to activity guided by your surgeon.

Pain management after surgery usually involves prescribed medications. The type and duration of pain relief varies between individuals and may be adjusted during recovery. Surgical drains may also be used in some cases and are typically removed within the early recovery period. Dressings will be applied to the incision sites, and your surgeon will provide specific instructions for wound care.

Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing, manage dressings, and address any questions. The overall recovery process varies between individuals and depends on factors such as general health, the complexity of the surgery, and healing responses.

The financial aspects of your surgery are as important as the medical elements when planning for surgery. At Avery, the surgeries we offer fall into three different financial categories: Self-funded – aesthetic surgery; self-funded – plastic and reconstructive surgery; and health insured – plastic and reconstructive surgery.

To make sense of these three financial categories, we have created a detailed price guide to help you understand what may or may not be covered by your health insurer/Medicare and your out of pocket expenses.

To download this guide, please click here.

For more information or to book a consultation, please contact our team on 02 4002 4150.

It is important to be aware that breast implant removal can change the size, shape, and position of the breasts. These changes are influenced by factors such as the effect of the implants on the surrounding tissue, skin quality, and the passage of time. The breast appearance after implant removal will not necessarily be the same as it was before the implants were inserted.

Further information about the risks associated with breast implant removal is available in the risks section of this service page.

All surgery results in scars. The size, location, and appearance of scars after breast implant removal vary between individuals. Factors influencing scarring include the surgical technique used, whether additional procedures such as a breast lift are performed, and individual healing responses.

Incisions are often placed in the breast crease, but may be more extensive depending on the surgery. Scars may appear red, raised, or pigmented in the early stages and their long-term appearance is unpredictable. Some people develop thicker scars, such as hypertrophic or keloid scars.

Scar management and expected changes over time can be discussed further during consultation.

Changes in nipple sensation can occur after breast implant removal surgery. Sensation may be reduced, absent, or increased (hypersensitivity). These changes may be temporary or permanent.

The likelihood of altered sensation can be influenced by factors such as the extent of surgery and individual healing responses. A consultation will provide further discussion of this risk in relation to your circumstances. More information about risks is available in the risks section of this service page.

Rupture can occur with all types of breast implants. Possible causes include trauma (such as a motor vehicle accident or other significant impact) or weakening of the implant shell over time. In some cases, rupture may occur without a specific identifiable cause.

If a silicone gel implant ruptures, the silicone may remain contained within the capsule of scar tissue around the implant or may spread into surrounding tissue. This can sometimes cause changes in breast appearance, firmness, inflammation, or discomfort.

If a saline implant ruptures, the implant usually deflates and the saline solution is absorbed by the body, often leading to a noticeable change in breast size or shape.

Any suspected rupture requires clinical assessment. Further information about risks associated with augmentation mammoplasty (breast augmentation) is available in the risks section of this service page.

Breast implant rupture can occur with all types of implants. The likelihood increases as implants age, although rupture may also be caused by trauma (such as a significant impact) or occur without a clear cause.

If a silicone gel implant ruptures, the silicone may remain contained within the capsule of scar tissue that naturally forms around the implant, or it may spread into surrounding tissue. This can sometimes lead to changes in breast appearance, firmness, inflammation, or discomfort.

If a saline implant ruptures, the implant usually deflates and the saline solution is absorbed by the body. This is often associated with a noticeable change in breast size or shape.

Possible signs of implant rupture can include changes in breast size, shape, or firmness, or pain and tenderness. In some cases, there may be no obvious symptoms. Clinical assessment is required if rupture is suspected, which may involve examination and imaging such as ultrasound or MRI.

Further information about the risks of breast augmentation can be found in the risks section of this service page, and additional details are available on the Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.

When a breast implant is placed in the body, the body forms a layer of scar tissue around it. This layer is called the implant capsule. The thickness of the capsule varies between individuals and may change over time. Factors such as the type of implant and whether it is placed above or below the chest muscle can also influence the capsule.

In some cases, the capsule may be associated with symptoms such as pain or changes in the appearance of the breast. These changes can occur with or without implant-related issues, such as rupture.

A capsulectomy is the surgical removal of this capsule. It can be performed during implant replacement or during implant removal. If the entire capsule is removed, this is called a total or complete capsulectomy. If the implant and capsule are removed together in one piece, this is referred to as an en bloc removal. Whether a complete or partial capsulectomy is performed depends on the clinical findings and surgical considerations. In some cases, complete removal may not be possible due to factors such as capsule thickness or adherence to surrounding structures.

Further information about risks associated with breast augmentation and related procedures is provided in the risks section of this service page.

Pain and temporary movement restriction can occur after surgery. The degree of discomfort varies between individuals and may be influenced by the extent of surgery and individual healing responses.

Pain in the early period is usually managed with anaesthetic given during the operation and with prescribed medications provided during recovery. Supportive dressings and garments are also commonly used, and patients are generally advised to limit certain movements in the first stages of recovery to protect the surgical area.

If pain increases or changes unexpectedly, further clinical review may be required. Your surgeon will provide guidance on pain management and activity restrictions that are specific to your circumstances.

Private health insurance generally does not cover procedures that are considered cosmetic in nature and do not have an associated Medicare item number.

In some cases, if surgery is performed to address certain clinical concerns — such as significant developmental differences, changes following trauma, or documented functional problems (for example, nasal obstruction) — a Medicare item number may apply. Where a Medicare item number is applicable, private health insurance may provide some cover, depending on the level of your policy.

Eligibility for Medicare item numbers and private health insurance rebates depends on individual circumstances and clinical criteria. These details are discussed during consultation, and patients are encouraged to confirm directly with their health fund.

Sun exposure can adversely affect healing wounds and may influence the pigmentation and long-term appearance of scars. Scars are generally advised to be protected from direct sun exposure until they are mature, which may take 12 months or longer. Protection may include clothing or high-SPF sunscreen once wounds have fully healed.

Use of artificial tanning products (such as spray tan) should be avoided until wounds are completely closed and the skin surface has healed.