{"id":14344,"date":"2023-07-20T12:22:24","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T12:22:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drpapaioannou.gr\/?post_type=surgeries&p=14344"},"modified":"2025-10-31T11:34:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T11:34:28","slug":"removal-of-silicone-implants","status":"publish","type":"surgeries","link":"https:\/\/drpapaioannou.gr\/en\/breast-surgery-en\/removal-of-silicone-implants\/","title":{"rendered":"Removal of silicone implants\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Silicone implant removal<\/strong> is a procedure that may be performed for various reasons. To better understand this, we should first distinguish the cases in which breast implant removal or replacement is carried out into three categories.<\/p>

There are cases where a breast surgery procedure<\/a><\/strong> is performed for medical reasons, such as aesthetic or functional complications; cases where the reason is subjective; and cases where it is done as a preventive measure. Usually, it is a procedure that is jointly decided by the plastic surgeon<\/a><\/strong> and the patient, once one of the above has been confirmed and all alternatives have been exhausted. In general, silicone implant removal<\/em> is a process we try to avoid whenever feasible!<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

What medical reasons lead to removal of silicone implants?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Regarding the first category<\/strong>, meaning implant removal for medical reasons<\/strong>, the most common indication for silicone implant removal is the so-called capsular contracture<\/strong>. To better understand this, the capsule is the membrane that the body forms around silicone implants, as it would around any surgically implanted foreign body\u2014this is a normal physiological response. This capsule stabilizes the breast implants, and its proper formation is crucial for a successful outcome.<\/p>

However, in some cases, for reasons that are not always clear, this capsule may harden<\/strong>, thicken<\/strong> and muscle and other cells may migrate onto it<\/strong>. These changes can cause shrinkage and deformation of the capsule, leading to a change in breast shape and the appearance of various symptoms. Some of these include pain, heaviness, and breast firmness. In such cases, silicone implant removal is deemed necessary.<\/p>

Silicone implant removal due to implant rupture<\/span><\/h6>

Another medical indication requiring silicone implant removal is implant rupture<\/strong>, meaning a tear in the outer shell of the implants. In general, modern silicone implants used in breast surgeries undergo extensive testing during manufacturing to ensure long lifespan and durability. However, after many years, the outer shell may degrade and eventually rupture.<\/p>

The silicone<\/strong> in breast implants is not in liquid form and does not leak into the tissues<\/strong>, but removal or replacement is still required. The diagnosis<\/strong> is not always straightforward and is based on clinical evaluation as well as imaging findings from breast MRI and ultrasound<\/strong>.<\/p>

Implant removal due to poor aesthetic result<\/span><\/h6>
\u00a0<\/div><\/div>

The indication for silicone implant removal or replacement also applies in cases where the aesthetic outcome is poor<\/strong>. This may be due to incorrect implant sizing, the patient\u2019s desire for a different volume, implant displacement, or specific issues such as bottoming out, rippling, symmastia, asymmetry, etc.<\/p>

Each case is evaluated individually<\/strong> to determine the most appropriate solution, which may include replacement, removal with re-implantation at a later stage, breast lift<\/a>, fat transfer, or other specialized procedures.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/figure>

Removal of silicone implants due to anaplastic lymphoma<\/h3>

A very rare condition<\/strong> that can lead to silicone implant removal is BIA-ALCL Anaplastic Lymphoma<\/strong> (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma). It is a form of malignancy that has been associated with silicone implants, mainly those with a textured surface. It is not breast cancer and is fully curable when the silicone implants are removed together with the capsule.<\/p>\n

The symptoms<\/strong> may include swelling and heaviness<\/strong>, typically appearing 10\u201320 years after surgery. Diagnosis is confirmed using PET-Scan, ultrasound, and fluid aspiration for testing. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, silicone implant removal with total capsulectomy is performed, and no form of chemotherapy or radiotherapy is required. The global incidence rates of ALCL are extremely low<\/strong> and there is no reason for panic. An annual clinical examination<\/strong> with palpation, mammography, and ultrasound is necessary, as it can detect both breast malignancies and changes in the implants or capsule.<\/p>\n

Finally, there is a special category<\/strong> that is not clearly defined as medical or subjective \u2014 known as breast implant illness. Because this condition has received significant attention, especially on social media, we will analyze it separately.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Breast implant illness: What is it and when does it lead to the need for silicone implant removal?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In recent years, we have observed a new trend leading to the decision for silicone implant removal, which has been amplified by the media. This relates to \u201cbreast implant illness,\u201d known as BII (Breast Implant Illness). This condition has not been scientifically confirmed, as it mainly presents with subjective symptoms that are difficult to verify, such as:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t