Breast Implant Removal
In Gainesville, FL
Women undergo breast implant removal for a variety of reasons — to resolve medical complications from breast surgeries, to fulfill a desire for aesthetic adjustments in breast shape and size, or simply because they are looking for a lifestyle change.
No matter the reason, our Gainesville board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. John W. Tyrone and Dr. David Mateo remove breast implants using only cutting-edge techniques to help patients achieve optimal results with as little pain as possible. Contact our office today to schedule an implant removal consultation.
Procedure Length: 1–3 hours, depending on complexity and additional procedures desired
Downtime: Most patients return to light activities in 1–2 weeks
Enhancement Options: Fat transfer to restore volume and shape
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Breast implant removal, also called explant surgery, is a procedure that removes previously placed saline or silicone implants. Depending on your needs, this may include removal of the surrounding capsule (capsulectomy) or scar tissue.
Many patients choose to pair implant removal with fat transfer. This involves harvesting fat from areas such as the abdomen or thighs through liposuction, purifying it, and strategically injecting it into the breasts. This technique restores soft, natural volume without replacing the implants.
The overall goal is to create a breast shape that aligns with your current aesthetic preferences and physical comfort.
Deciding to have implants removed is a personal decision driven by a need for a new look, complications from the implants, or medical concerns of the patient. Consult one of our board-certified plastic surgeons in Gainesville, FL, if you believe breast implant removal surgery is the best course of action.
As style and fashion trends continue to change, some patients may want to return to their original breast size and shape. Our bodies and lifestyles also change over time, and natural breast tissue can grow in ways that change the position and shape of implants from breast augmentation. Some patients find these changes too drastic and choose to remove their implants.
There are also medical reasons for breast removal surgery. Capsular contracture occurs when the tissue around the implants is too tight, which can cause pain or discomfort and create unevenness between the breasts. Hardening of the breasts or pain may indicate that the implants need to be removed. While implant rupture is rare due to advanced implant technology, they do occasionally occur in older implants. If the implants rupture or leak, contact our board-certified plastic surgeons.
An increasing number of women with implants believe they have a disorder called breast implant illness due to symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and other autoimmune-related symptoms following their implant surgery. Other reported symptoms include hair loss, sleeping problems, memory loss, depression, light sensitivity, rashes, headaches, and chest pain. Although the relationship between these symptoms and breast implants is still being investigated by the FDA, if patients believe they are suffering from breast implant illness, we encourage them to get in touch with us right away.
The exact procedure for implant removal varies by patient; our plastic surgeons will discuss the individual process in depth with each patient before proceeding.
However, for the majority of patients, the removal procedure involves removing the implants and any excess breast tissue while tightening the remaining tissue. If you’ve chosen fat transfer, liposuction is performed first to harvest fat. The purified fat is then meticulously injected into the breasts to restore fullness and refine contour. Your plastic surgeon may also resize the areolas to fit the new breast size and close all the incisions with sutures or skin adhesives.
The two main types of breast implants, silicone and saline, both come in a variety of sizes and textures. Utilizing top-of-the-line technology, Dr. Tyrone and Dr. Mateo can remove any type of implant for the comfort and safety of all our patients during breast implant removal surgery.
Breast implant removal focuses on the breasts, but when combined with fat transfer, it also contours donor areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, enhancing overall body proportions while restoring breast volume.
Removing implants can relieve tightness, heaviness, or discomfort associated with scar tissue or aging implants.
Fat transfer provides soft, natural volume using your own tissue — without synthetic implants.
Many patients feel empowered knowing their breasts better reflect their current lifestyle and aesthetic goals.
Because fat is harvested from another area, patients often enjoy improved body contour in addition to enhanced breast shape.
As with other cosmetic surgeries, breast implant removal is highly individualized. If patients have any personal or medical complications from their implants, they should consider implant removal surgery. In addition to these factors, a patient is a good candidate for implant removal if any of the following factors apply:
Overall, the breast implant removal recovery process takes at least three weeks. Following the procedure, the incisions are closed with sutures and covered with surgical glue and gauze dressings.
Some patients may be given a drain. Patients may also be given a compression garment to help minimize swelling after the procedure. The implant removal surgery will alter the shape and size of the breasts, but if patients desire additional procedures, such as a breast lift or fat transfer to the breast, the rest and recovery phase will take longer.
Immediately after surgery, you’ll notice the absence of implants, though swelling may temporarily affect shape. Over the following weeks, your breasts will settle into a softer, more natural contour.
When fat transfer is performed, restored fullness looks and feels like natural breast tissue, because it is. Results are long-lasting, though normal aging and weight fluctuations will continue to influence breast shape over time. For many patients, the outcome is not just physical; it’s a renewed sense of comfort and confidence in their body.
Patients ready for a lifestyle change or remedy for breast implant pain or breast implant illness are encouraged to contact our board-certified plastic surgeons at North Florida Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Center.
Our team puts patient comfort and satisfaction above all else, and every treatment is specifically tailored for every one of our patients. To schedule an implant removal or to learn more about all the aesthetic services we offer, contact our office today!
Dr. John W. Tyrone, founder of North Florida Plastic Surgery, is a board-certified plastic surgeon known for his years of surgical experience and a longstanding reputation in the Gainesville community.
His commitment to patient safety and surgical excellence helped establish the foundation that the practice continues to build upon today.
Dr. David Mateo de Acosta is a board-certified plastic surgeon known for his signature "Body by Mateo" breast and body contouring procedures.
Originally from Havana, Cuba, Dr. David Mateo’s diverse academic background and global surgical training have helped him become an intentional, efficient, and adaptive surgeon. Additionally, Dr. David Mateo is fluent in Spanish, enabling him to assist a diverse range of patients in achieving their beauty goals. Now serving patients across North Florida, Dr. David Mateo is an experienced plastic surgeon, dedicated to helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals.
Some degree of skin laxity is common, especially after larger implants. Fat transfer or a breast lift may be recommended to improve contour.
Fat transfer typically provides a modest increase — often about one cup size. The amount depends on your natural tissue and available donor fat.
A percentage of transferred fat survives long-term. Once stabilized, those fat cells behave like the rest of your body’s fat.
Not always. This depends on your skin elasticity, implant size, and aesthetic goals. Your surgeon will discuss this during the consultation.
Most patients return to normal daily activities within 1–2 weeks, with full healing progressing over several months.
Yes. Implant removal does not eliminate the option of a future breast augmentation.
Like any other surgery, there are risks patients should be aware of before deciding to undergo Breast Implant Removal surgery. Contact North Florida Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Center before deciding if the procedure is right for you.
Some of the risks include:
