Breast Implant Revision & Removal Surgery

Women who underwent a previous breast augmentation surgery may choose for a variety of reasons to either exchange or remove their breast implants. In Eugene, Oregon, Dr. Mark Jewell and Dr. Alireza “Reza” Najafian are cosmetic breast surgery specialists and they have the technical skill needed to perform what is a more demanding surgery than primary breast augmentation.

Breast Implant Exchange
 Before & After Photos

WARNING:

This feature contains nudity. Please click OK to confirm you are at least 18 years of age and are not offended by such material.

Exchanging Breast Implants

Women with breast implants consider exchanging them for different reasons. Some choose to change the implants they have, while other patients experience some type of complication that requires either exchanging or removing the implants.

Implant Removal (Explantation)

Some women want their breast implants removed for personal reasons. Some patients experience implant-related problems and don’t want additional surgery that may not produce good results. Others decide they want smaller breasts.

Dr. Jewell and Dr. Najafian offer different surgical techniques for removing implants, which they discuss in detail with patients during their consultations. A straightforward surgery involves removing the implants themselves but not the tissue surrounding the implants that form a capsule. Our surgeons can perform this operation using a local anesthetic with intravenous sedation at our accredited surgery center.

Removing the implants along with the surrounding capsule tissue is a more complex procedure, called a total capsulectomy, that Dr. Jewell and Dr. Najafian perform at an ambulatory surgery center with the patient under general anesthesia.

Some patients need a total capsulectomy because of calcification or an implant rupture. In other cases, however, patients request this procedure as relief from ill-defined physical symptoms. Many of these patients have gathered information online from websites that associate breast implants and health problems in women. These sites urge women to undergo “en bloc total capsulectomy” as a solution to what they describe as “silicone-related illness.”

Our surgeons urge patients to be cautious when researching medical advice online. The latest published studies indicate that systemic symptoms believed associated with breast implants are improved with explantation. Enbloc capsulectomy is only indicated if the patient has the rare breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Additionally, the en bloc total capsulectomy procedure includes a significant risk of serious surgical complications, such as a collapsed lung (pneumopthorax) caused by damaging the chest wall muscles during the operation.

Given the preponderance of scientific evidence from population studies of women who have breast implants, Dr. Jewell agrees with the conclusions reached by the authors of the Annals of Internal Medicine study. The FDA approved both silicone gel and saline breast implants for women who want to increase the size of their breasts, for breast reconstruction after mastectomy, and for revision of existing breast implant surgery. If a woman decides that she no longer wants breast implants, surgical removal is an option.

Our Exceptional Providers

Dr. Jewell and Dr. Najafian combine artistry and surgical expertise to create customized results tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Dr.  Alireza

Dr. Alireza "Reza" Najafian

Dr. Najafian is an exceptionally qualified plastic surgeon who completed a general surgery residency and a post-doctoral research fellowship at the prestigious Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Meet Dr. Najafian
Dr. Mark Jewell

Dr. Mark Jewell

Dr. Jewell is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has decades of experience and is recognized internationally as one of plastic surgery's leading innovators and advocates for patient safety.

Meet Dr. Jewell
Hillary Jewell, NP

Hillary Jewell, NP

A board-certified nurse practitioner and nurse injector, Hillary offers cosmetic injectables and other medical spa services delivered with expertise, passion, and fun.

Meet Hillary

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have access to the records from my previous surgery?

Having access to your medical records concerning your surgery and implants is very helpful, and we ask that you bring them to your consultation. If you don’t have those records, however, it is important to think through and write down your medical history as it relates to previous breast augmentation surgery or surgeries and bring it to your consultation with Dr. Jewell or Dr. Najafian. They will take measurements at the time of your exam that will give them data they can use for the assessment and planning stages. If you have had a mammogram or ultrasound imaging, it is also helpful to provide that information to your surgeon.

Can I change the size of my implant?

A size change can often be accomplished when considering implant revisionary surgery. Sizing can be reduced or enhanced depending upon what is best for your particular needs. Implants can be removed or replaced with newer available models.

Will I have excess skin if my implants are removed?

Skin can be stretched from the insertion of an implant device. Women who have had weight gain/loss, been pregnant, or breastfed children have looser envelopes of breast skin. Implant removal can cause redundancy of skin. Depending upon age and genetics, some women will have a certain retractability of their skin. Women who have saline breast implants may have the option of a slow deflation to allow the skin to naturally retract prior to having revisionary surgery.

Please call our office at (541) 683-3234 to schedule an appointment to discuss your individual needs with one of our plastic surgeons. You can request a consultation online. It’s very helpful to bring your personal history of breast surgery, implant information, and imaging studies to your consultation.

medspa

Jewell Med Spa & Specials

It’s never too early to begin the journey toward healthier, youthful looking skin.

Learn More
Back to Top