Breast Implant Removal in Washington DC

There are a number of reasons why women may be unhappy with their breast implants and seek breast implant removal in Washington DC. Many women hesitate to have their implants removed because of fear of what their breasts will look like without implants.

Dr. Troy Pittman, an acclaimed board-certified plastic surgeon, specializes in cosmetic surgery of the breast and devises a customized operative plan for each patient based on their specific needs and desires.

Common Reasons Why Women May Choose to Remove Their Implants

Dissatisfaction with the Appearance of the Breast

With normal aging, the body changes. Women who may have had implants placed at a younger age may develop sagging of the breast over the implant. This is commonly referred to as a “waterfall deformity” where the natural breast tissue starts to fall off of the implant giving the breast an unnatural appearance. This condition can become worse if the original implants were placed completely under the pectoralis muscle.

There are also cases where the weight of the implant causes thinning of the breast tissue which results in visible breast implant rippling or severe breast sagging. Larger implants can also cause issues with neck and shoulder pain as patients age, much like the excess breast tissue that women try to get rid of in a breast reduction.

Capsular Contracture

Capsular Contracture is a condition where scar tissue develops around the breast implant following breast augmentation. Every implant will have a small amount of scar tissue around it, given the fact that it is a foreign body (Grade I). However, in some cases, that scar tissue becomes severely thickened causing the breast to develop a hardened feel and distorted appearance (Grade II and III).

In the most severe cases of capsular contracture, women may develop pain as a result of the condition (Grade IV). Capsular contracture can be a manifestation of breast implant rupture so women who feel their breasts are hardening or changing should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Breast Implant Deformity

There are several reasons that implants may become misshapen or deformed over time. The most common reason is capsular contracture which can be a manifestation of breast implant rupture. In other patients, the breast tissue overlying the implant may become thinner with time making the breast implant more visible or palpable by the patient. This can be a distressing condition for patients.

Additionally, patients that have lost or gained a significant amount of weight may notice changes in their breast, particularly in women with implants. With weight gain, the breasts may become larger making breast implants unnecessary. Conversely, women who lose a great deal of weight may notice that their breast tissue has become thinner, unmasking an underlying implant deformity.

Changes in Breast Goals

As in all aspects of life, our goals change. Women who had implants placed in their early 20s may not have the same aesthetic when they are in their 50s or 60s. It is common for women to wish to have their breast implants removed when they get older. There are also patients that do not wish to deal with implant maintenance and wish to have their implants removed so they “don’t have to worry about them” anymore.

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