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Breast Implant Removal Houston, TX

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Breast Implant Removal

Many women are torn between choosing to remove their breast implants for the chance to regain their health or keep their beautifully augmented breasts at the expense of feeling constantly ill. You’re not alone because breast implant illness (BII) is a real phenomenon. Dr. Chaowen Wu recognises the importance of providing women with alternatives to artificial breast implants so you can continue to feel confident and healthy at the same time. Breast implant removal surgery can be performed alone or in combination with enhancing procedures such as a natural breast augmentation or a breast lift to restore the beauty of your breasts.

Breast implant removal involves removing old or leaking implants from your prior breast augmentation, including the capsule that surrounds the implants. Many women have their implants removed because of complications such as implant rupture, capsular contracture, implant displacement, or symptoms of breast implant illness.

When implant removal surgery is accompanied with a natural breast augmentation or breast lift, the results are soft, natural feeling breasts that are 100% you. To see if you are a candidate for Dr. Chaowen Wu’s natural approaches to plastic surgery, come visit us in The Woodlands, TX. Revel You also services the greater Houston area and beyond. Even if you are coming from out of town, our luxury recovery suites will make you feel right at home.

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Breast Implant Removal with fat transfer

Age: 45-50

This beauty decided it was time to have her implants of over 10 years removed as her breasts have become heavier over time and she wished to feel more freedom from the size and weight of her breasts. Her silicone implants were removed and fat transfer was performed at the same time to replace a portion of the volume of the implants. The results are soft, maintenance-free, and natural breasts that enhance her body frame.

Natural Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

Age: 50-55

This beauty wanted to enhance her breasts the natural way without any artificial materials. Breast fat transfer was performed using fat from her abdomen and flanks which not only enhances her breasts but contours her waistline at the same time!

Breast Lift

Age: 60-65

This beauty’s breasts have sagged over time and she wished to attain a more youthful and lifted contour. A vertical breast lift (mastopexy) was performed elevating her breasts to a youthful position with short scars.

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Why remove your breast implants?

Breast implant removal can be an important individual decision for many reasons, the most important being your health. Breast implants have a long history first introduced in 1962 by Cronin and Gerow, and today there are nearly 400,000 surgeries utilizing breast implants annually. That being said, due to implant complications, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed silicon implants from the market in 1992 for a 14 year moratorium that lasted until 2006.

The FDA has renewed the warnings about the Risks and Complications of Breast Implants, including requiring saline-filled and silicone gel-filled breast implant packaging to detail certain risks. These warnings have arisen from FDA concerns that patients are not receiving and understanding the information regarding the benefits and risks of implants.

The FDAs 9 Risks of Breast Implants with complications and adverse outcomes includes:

Implant complications, such as breast pain and changes in nipple and breast sensation.
Additional surgeries, with or without removal of the device (also see “What are your breast implant removal options?” below).
Capsular contracture, scar tissue (capsule) that forms around the implant and squeezes the implant.
Rupture, such as tears or holes in the shell.
Breast implant associated-anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer of the immune system).
Connective tissue disease, breast cancer, and reproductive problems.
Breast Implant Illness (BII), which includes a variety of systemic symptoms.
Breastfeeding, some women who undergo breast augmentation can successfully breastfeed and some cannot.
Effects on children.

The FDA also has a list of 26 local complications and outcomes that occur in at least 1% of implants at any time. These include: Asymmetry, Breast Pain, Breast Tissue Atrophy, Calcification/Calcium Deposits, Capsular Contracture, Chest Wall Deformity, Deflation, Delayed Wound Healing, Extrusion, Hematoma, Iatrogenic, Injury/Damage, Infection (including Toxic Shock Syndrome), Inflammation/Irritation, Lymphedema or Lymphadenopathy, Malposition/Displacement, Necrosis, Nipple/Breast Sensation Changes, Palpability, Ptosis, Redness/Bruising, Rupture, Seroma, Skin Rash, Unsatisfactory Style/Size, Visibility, and Wrinkling/Rippling.

What are your breast implant removal options?

Breast implant removal with breast lift surgery

There is generally some stretching and expanding of the skin and tissue that occurs from having implants. As a result, following your breast implant removal procedure, the breasts will often appear deflated and empty.

As a breast lift (mastopexy) and breast implant removal specialist, Dr. Wu is able to skillfully perform both procedures so that your breasts are able to remain youthful, balanced, and beautiful without implants.

Breast lift surgery can improve the shape and position of your breasts after the initial breast augmentation implants have been removed, but it won’t enhance the size of your breasts. To increase your breast volume without artificial materials, a natural breast augmentation can be performed by transferring your own fat cells from other parts of your body into your breasts.

Breast implant removal performed with fat transfer or fat grafting

Breast fat transfer augmentation as well as fat grafting augmentation are the two terms used to refer to the same procedure. They both involve replacing a portion or all of the volume that has been lost after your initial implants have been removed. Dr. Wu is one of the few aesthetic plastic surgeons who specializes exclusively in fat transfer augmentation procedures and does not perform implants-based cosmetic breast enhancement. To replace some of the volume lost due to implant removal, donor fat is extracted from parts of the body (usually the abdomen, flanks, or thighs) and purified before injection into the breasts. As it is your own fat, your body accepts it much more readily than something artificial, such as breast implants.

In combination with a breast lift and breast fat transfer, breast implant removal can effectively remove the artificial implants from your body while recreating your beautiful breasts.

Breast implant removal only

If your health concerns are only related to the implants from your initial breast augmentation, removing them can be a quick procedure with a short recovery. The implant is typically removed from the same incisions used when they were first placed, such as in the breast crease. For some patients who only need implant removal, the procedure can be performed and anesthesia can be administered in the office under local anesthesia.

For patients with saline breast implants, a quick 5 minute in-office deflation procedure can be performed 1 month prior to the breast implant removal procedure. This is advantageous as it gives your breasts a chance to rehydrate and it also provides a preview of what your breasts will look like once the implants are removed if no other procedures are performed.

Implant removal with total capsulectomy

Essentially, the capsule is a scar tissue produced by the body to coat the implant and pocket where it has been inserted. Implanted medical devices and objects, such as pacemakers and artificial joints, will develop this encapsulating tissue. When a total capsulectomy is used to remove an implant, the implant and surrounding scar tissue are removed together. In some cases, capsule removal may be necessary if you have capsular contracture or ruptured silicone implants.

Despite the belief that leaving the capsules in the breast is not harmful, Dr. Wu will remove the implant capsule along with the implants when the capsule appears thickened or abnormal. When the capsule remains in place, recent clinical evidence suggests that the following may occur:

A mass with cancer-like characteristics.
The presence of dense calcifications that can interfere with breast imaging.
A cystic mass that may also contain implant-related silicone, resulting in additional complications.

A total capsulectomy may help avoid complications arising from breast capsules. This is why you should always consult with an aesthetic plastic surgeon who understands breast anatomy and has experience with various types of breast procedures, including natural breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, and breast implant removal. Dr. Wu is a specialist in all of these procedures.

En bloc breast implant removal, subtotal capsulectomy, & capsulectomy vs. capsulotomy

En bloc breast implant removal is a variation of total capsulectomy. This procedure involves removing the implant and capsule together, rather than one at a time. You may need this procedure if you have textured implants, implant capsule problems, or suspected implant leakage.

During subtotal or partial capsulectomy only part of the capsule is removed. A capsulotomy involves partially removing or releasing the capsule less invasively.

Breast Implant removal with replacement

Despite the fact that many surgeons will replace implants, Dr. Wu and Revel You do not recommend this and also do not perform implant-based breast enhancement or replacement. To enhance your natural beauty and maintain a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Wu prefers a natural approach to breast augmentation using your own fat cells, and is one of the few plastic surgeons in the Houston, TX area to do so.

Why choose Dr. Wu for breast implant removal in Houston, TX?

Dr. Wu is loved by patients because of her calm nature and artful precision as a plastic surgeon. During your breast implant removal consultation, Dr. Wu carefully understands your individual experience and needs. Removing your implants is one of the most personal plastic surgery decisions you may make, so when it comes to your breast implant removal you can be assured that care will be taken.

Dr. Wu takes a natural approach to breast enhancement, which means that she does not perform implant-based breast augmentations. You can rest assured that you have a plastic surgeon who is fully committed to your health. There are very few surgeons who do implant removal in Houston and can say that they have this level of commitment to their patients and their health.

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What are some key benefits of breast explant procedure?

Mammograms are more effective. Doctors may find it difficult to perform mammograms with silicone and saline breast implants. Your doctor should order four extra pictures (2 of each breast). With a breast explant, your mammogram will be easier to read, which may be important if your family has a history of breast cancer.
Reduces pain. Due to the weight of large implants, you may also experience pain in your shoulders, neck, and back. Removing heavy implants may also improve your posture. Your pain may be even greater if you have capsular contracture or hardening of the scar tissue around the implants. Breast explant surgery may relieve these symptoms.
You are worry free from fear of rupturing. Physical exertion, poor design, the age of implants, and complications such can cause implants to rupture. The breast explant procedure eliminates the need to worry about ruptured implants or the cost of replacing them.
Short recovery time. Within a few weeks, most people are back to their normal activities after breast explant surgery

Potential to enhance your health. The FDA warns that breast implants can cause health complications and risks. Having them removed will at least give you peace of mind and may even improve your health.

What will my breast implant removal recovery be like?

Breast implant removal is generally one of the less invasive plastic surgery procedures compared to others (such as Tummy Tucks), and you will be safe to return home a few hours after surgery. Most women are able to return to work within a week. Following the operation, a compression garment is worn to reduce swelling and allow the smaller breasts to heal in the optimal position. Only absorbable stitches are used in surgery, and Dr. Wu does not typically need to place drains meaning a more comfortable recovery.

If you have undergone a breast fat transfer, you must avoid pressure over your breasts to optimize fat cell survival. You should wear a sports bra for several weeks, but sleep on your back and avoid wearing a tight-fitting bra. Patients should avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for four to six weeks, but lighter activity can be resumed sooner.

Liposuction patients need to wear compression over the areas of liposuction for a minimum of 6 weeks. You can expect swelling and bruising to diminish after 2 weeks and the final results to appear after 3-6 months.

Our clients can’t wait to share!

“There are not enough stars on this app to give to Dr. Wu that would adequately describe my experience! When I tell you she has completely changed my life, I mean just that. July 2021 I went to Dr. Wu for a breast implant removal/capsulectomy & breast lift. I am a 44 yr old woman who had 20yr old 820cc saline implants, that over the years had contracted, distorted and sagged causing me severe discomfort and pain. I went into my surgery wanting nothing more than relief from the constant pain and not expecting much aesthetic improvement. However, after my surgery my mind was blown! Not only did Dr. Wu remove my oversized implants as well as all of the scar tissue that had caused me so much pain... the end result looks AMAZING! Two beautiful, youthful, perky breasts with very minimal scarring. My breasts look better than they looked when I was 20!… You won't find a Dr. with better bedside manner or better results. You won't find a friendlier staff at the surgery center. No need to look any further Dr. Wu is the one!!!”
LaToya Knight

Complementary Procedures

Never Compromise Your Unique Beauty with One Size Fits All Surgery. Learn about Revel You’s custom array of facial rejuvenation options ranging from minimally invasive techniques to maximally corrective treatments.

Natural Breast Augmentation

When it comes to breast augmentation, most people are aware of the implant options. However, few realize that breast augmentation can also be achieved without artificial implants. Natural breast augmentation allows you to achieve your desired breast shape and size using fat cells harvested from your body, ensuring safety and naturalness, also known as fat transfer breast augmentation.

Breast Lift

Breast lift (mastopexy) is one of the most in-demand procedures amongst women who wish to restore the youthfulness of their breasts. This is an excellent option if you have sagging breasts after implant removal, due to age, childbirth, breastfeeding, or other factors.

Tummy Tuck

Your abdomen may become less toned over time catalyzed by factors like genetic predisposition, weight changes, and pregnancy. When that happens, it may become nearly impossible to reverse the process through diet and exercise alone. Dr. Wu performs highly personalized tummy tucks to reverse the process and restore your abdomen’s youthful firmness.

Facial Fat Transfer

Facial volume is lost over time and can be restored to your youthful self using your own fat. Facial fat transfer heals without scars and provides a natural, soft, and lasting alternative to fillers. This is a great way to rejuvenate the eyes, cheeks, and even lips with minimal down time.

Facelift

A deep plane facelift offers a comprehensive way to improve the entire face. This procedure delivers the most powerful correction of signs of facial aging. These include improvements of crows feet, sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, jowls, and removal of excess loose skin.

Liposuction Body Contouring

Most of us have stubborn areas of fat that seem impossible to get rid of through traditional weight loss methods, such as exercise and dieting. Fortunately, liposuction allows extremely targeted areas of fat to be precisely removed to achieve your desired contours. Liposuction can be performed alone, in combination with skin tightening with Renuvion (J-Plasma), as a part of another procedure such lipocontouring for a tummy tuck, or to collect fat cells used for fat transfer to the breasts, face, buttocks etc.

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FAQ

If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, simply contact us!

How much does breast implant removal cost in Houston, TX?

If you are planning to have your breast implants removed, breast implant removal cost in Houston, TX will vary based on the type of implant, complexity and whether you choose to undergo a breast lift and/or breast fat transfer in addition to the implant removal. Each patient is treated by Dr. Wu with time and attention, and if you are a candidate for implant removal we will be pleased to provide you with a customized quote.

When Will I See My Breast Implant Removal Results?

You will be able to see the results of your breast implant removal immediately after the procedure. However, as there may be significant bruising and swelling, the breast implant removal results may take several weeks to settle. While most of the swelling will subside within a few weeks, some residual swelling may continue for several months.

Is breast implant removal surgery painful?

Following a breast implant removal, discomfort and soreness are common. The good news is that Dr. Wu and the staff at our office have many modalities to help patients manage discomfort. Fortunately, most patients find breast implant removal more comfortable than breast augmentation surgery.

Will I feel better after a breast implant removal procedure?

Patients who have undergone implant removal often report decreased fatigue, headaches, back pain, and joint pain, as well as a general feeling of well-being. Whether or not you are experiencing the symptoms listed above from breast implants or whether you simply feel better because the implants have been removed from your life, implant removal can give you a sense of relief to know that you no longer have those foreign objects in your body.

Breast Implant Removal Houston, TX

Breast Implant Removal