Dr. Traci Temmen Tampa Contact Tampa Plastic Surgeon
Facebook Instagram YouTubeCirujano Plastic en Tampa

Monthly Archives: March 2019

What Will My Breasts Look Like After Implant Removal

Breast implant removal or breast explantation is a procedure used to remove previously placed implants. Some women seek explant procedures in response to changes in their breast size over time while others choose to remove their implants due to dissatisfaction or regret after breast augmentation. While both breast augmentation and explantation require careful consideration, many patients make the decision much more quickly for augmentation while the decision to remove them is often a more extensive, lengthier process.

Many patients worry about the appearance of their breasts following explantation and therefore must be emotionally prepared with realistic expectations for the final result. Removing breast implants will have a dramatic effect on the resulting size of the breasts and in some cases the removal may leave behind excess skin and/or asymmetries. Dr. Traci Temmen is extremely helpful when it comes to this aspect of the pre-procedural process as she patiently and thoroughly advises patients on the changes they should expect during every stage of implant removal and beyond.

In the case that only explantation is desired, it may be possible to remove the implants through the same incision site through which they were placed. Although some patients can undergo explantation without consequence and with aesthetically pleasing results, others are not as fortunate. Depending on the condition of the implants, current breast size, degree of sagging, and implant size, many women consider having a breast lift, breast reduction, or liposuction and fat transfer in addition to the implant removal or explantation for optimal cosmetic results. Each of these additional procedures helps to provide the patient with normal and natural looking breasts despite removal of the implants. However, even those patients that opt for implant removal alone should not be dismayed by their breast appearance immediately following explantation. In the weeks to months following implant removal, the skin of most breasts will contract while the soft tissues will expand or “fluff out.” This gradual healing process results in a fuller, tighter, and much more attractive result than what may be seen immediately after breast implant removal.

The recovery process for explantation varies depending on the degree of changes and the method in which the result was obtained although most patients typically return to work within a few days following the surgery. Breast implant removal surgery starts at $4,900; this price may vary depending on the method of removal, complexity, and optional pairing of implant removal with other surgeries such as a breast lift, breast reduction, or liposuction with fat transfer to the breast (i.e. natural breast augmentation). Dr. Temmen performs all aspects of revision surgeries and will help you decide on the best plan to fit your lifestyle, goals, and desired outcome. To see before and after photos in addition to those pictured on the website, call the office at 813-771-6393 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Traci Temmen in Tampa, Florida!

Breast Implant Illness

The subject of Breast Implant Illness (BII) has gained recent attention among patients with breast implants and those considering breast augmentation with implants.  While little scientific research has been done on this controversial topic, a minority of patients with breast implants attribute certain systemic symptoms to their implants.  Some of these symptoms include mental confusion, joint pain, hair loss, dry eyes, chronic fatigue, and persistent flu-like symptoms.  Further confusing the issue is the fact that these symptoms are frequently encountered in women suffering from other common illnesses such as hypothyroidism, menopause, depression, anxiety, and general aging.  Additionally, certain patients do feel a subjective improvement in symptoms upon removal of their implants while many other patients continue to experience symptoms even years after removal of their implants.

The safety off all medical devices, including breast implants, are studied in depth by the use of high-quality medical studies and scientific research before they are approved for use.  All medical devices used in the United States must pass rigorous testing done by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are allowed to be used in humans.  Throughout years of research, there is no evidence or pathophysiological explantation as to how silicone or saline breast implants could be the sole cause of the symptoms experienced by women concerned about Breast Implant Illness.

As trained doctors and researchers, plastic surgeons base their medical decisions on scientific studies, FDA guidelines, and evidence-based medical practices.  However, these studies rely on statistics taken from studying large patient populations, not the individual patient experience.  With that said, there is a community of individual breast implant patients suffering with symptoms of breast implant illness.  These patients gain support and comfort from online resources, social media, and hopefully their treating plastic surgeon.

If you feel you are having symptoms of breast implant illness, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Traci Temmen in Tampa, Florida.  Dr. Temmen will provide honest and reliable answers to all of your questions and concerns regarding breast implants and the associated risks of placement or explantation.  For patients concerned about breast implant illness, there is a variety of treatment methods depending on individual needs, anatomy, and desires.  The implants can be simply removed, the implants and be removed as well as the capsule, or the implants can be removed while still inside of the capsule (called en bloc removal).  Additionally, if cosmetics is also a concern, the breasts can then be further refined with a fat transfer to the breast, a breast lift, or breast reduction.

In summary, there are a variety of treatment methods for women considering breast implant removal for breast implant illness.  Dr. Temmen in Tampa, Florida will listen to your concerns and help individualize a treatment plan to best fit your needs and lifestyle.  To schedule a consultation for implant removal with Dr. Traci Temmen, call 813-771-6393 today.