Breast Implant Removal In Seattle
While most patients say their breast implants were worth it, those implants are not made to last forever. At some point, breast implant removal or replacement becomes necessary. Dr. Hakim Said is a Seattle plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience performing breast implant removal surgeries. He listens to your concerns and puts your health and safety first. He also is a breast restoration specialist who offers innovative techniques to preserve or bring back beautiful breasts you will love, even after your implant removal surgery.
Dr. Hakim Said is a fellowship-trained, board-certified Seattle plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction and aesthetic surgery. He has authored more than 20 articles in the fields of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Most of those articles focus on improving patient outcomes through precise surgical methods tailored to each individual.
Those methods can be carefully applied to breast implant removal to make sure your outcome is as good as it can be. One of Dr. Said’s most preferred combinations is performing a fat transfer to naturally add fullness to a patient’s breasts, which can be done during breast removal surgery or shortly afterward once things are healed. This restores some of the volume lost through the removal of the implants and provides a full, graceful shape using your own natural tissue. During your consultation, Dr. Said will discuss your options with you to determine the best breast implant removal surgery for your specific needs.
Dr. Hakim Said is a fellowship-trained, board-certified Seattle plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction and aesthetic surgery. He has authored more than 20 articles in the fields of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Most of those articles focus on improving patient outcomes through precise surgical methods tailored to each individual.
Those methods can be carefully applied to breast implant removal to make sure your outcome is as good as it can be. One of Dr. Said’s most preferred combinations is performing a fat transfer to naturally add fullness to a patient’s breasts, which can be done during breast removal surgery or shortly afterward once things are healed. This restores some of the volume lost through the removal of the implants and provides a full, graceful shape using your own natural tissue. During your consultation, Dr. Said will discuss your options with you to determine the best breast implant removal surgery for your specific needs.
En Bloc is a french term for “one piece”, meaning that the implant and the surrounding tissue layer are all removed in one unit, without opening or spilling the contents. Although this approach may be prudent when we suspect the contents are contaminated, it does take more time, more work, and a wider incision. This would mean a slightly longer scar for you.
Not every ruptured implant can be removed this way, depending on its location and what it is stuck to. In fact, it is easier and in many cases safer to deliver the ruptured implant and contents out of the body before removing the entire tissue layer that contained it. That procedure is called Total Capsulectomy, or removal of the entire tissue capsule and everything that was in contact with the implant.
At Said Plastic Surgery in Seattle breast implant removal is a procedure that calls for the removal of an implant from the breast (and sometimes the scar tissue or “capsule” that surrounds it). There are many reasons why women may want to remove or replace their breast implants, including:
Each of these reasons is unique, and there are unique procedures for each type of surgery to ensure you have an outcome you are happy with after your surgery. During your consultation for breast implant removal Seattle plastic surgeon Dr. Hakim Said will go over these procedures with you in detail, answer all your questions about those options, and suggest a plan that is right for you.
Some patients feel strongly that the contents of the capsule should be kept together to avoid spilling the contents, which might contain silicone or microbes.
This is the goal of En Bloc Capsulectomy. Sometimes the capsule is brittle and trying to remove it all in one piece through a small opening can cause it to crack and spill the contents anyway. The chance varies from case to case, and generally, there is little control over where the shell will crack.
By safely removing the implant contents first in a controlled direction outside the body, the tissue layer surrounding the implant can be more carefully removed. This is the case with Total Capsulectomy. Both are reasonable options for the removal of unwanted implants, and this can be a very personal decision for each patient.
Dr. Said provides instructions to prepare you for surgery. On the day of surgery, Dr. Said meets with you to go over any last-minute questions. Markings are drawn on your skin to guide the surgery. This helps ensure a good cosmetic result.
Your specific procedure may vary depending on your conversations with Dr. Said. In most surgeries, Dr. Said makes a small incision at the spot you have determined together to access and remove the existing implants and capsule. If you are having a breast implant replacement, the new implants are placed in the existing breast pocket. If you are not replacing the implants, the empty breast pocket will close up over time. The incision is neatly closed. Patients can expect to go home the same day.
Dr. Said is passionate about making sure his patients have detailed information to guide them through their recoveries.
He will provide you with step-by-step instructions to maximize your results, minimize your scars, and shorten your recovery time following your breast implant removal surgery. Swelling is a normal response to surgery. Most swelling subsides in the first two weeks. However, it can take six months or longer for all swelling to go away. You may be asked to wear compression garments to minimize swelling.
Bruising may occur, which takes approximately two weeks to fade. You can resume driving when you feel confident that you have a full range of motion. Please follow Dr. Said’s instructions regarding exercise following your surgery. In general, short walks are recommended, starting the day of surgery. This is done to prevent blood clots in your legs.
Your final results following breast implant removal may not be apparent for several months following your surgery, depending on the type of surgery you had.
If you choose to have implant replacement, it will take some time for your new implants to drop and fluff, just as they did following your initial surgery. If you choose fat augmentation, a breast lift, or full removal, you will have to wait for the swelling to subside before your final results are apparent. Dr. Said will consult with you on your timeline and help you know what to look for to make sure your recovery is progressing according to plan.
If you feel like you are ready to consider breast implant removal surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Said to go over your options and plan ahead. Dr. Said is a breast reconstruction specialist who can assess your condition and provide you with innovative solutions to restore your healthy body, both during surgery and in recovery. When you are ready to book a consultation for breast implant replacement, or even to discuss your options, call Dr. Said in Seattle.
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