Breast Implant Removal in Northern Virginia
Over time, implants may experience changes that impact your breasts’ appearance and feel.
Over their lifetime, implants may experience changes that impact your breasts’ appearance and feel. Breast implant removal or breast revision is a customizable procedure to remove or exchange implants for newer, improved materials to achieve each patient’s needs and goals.
While her association with McLean Plastic Surgery is new, Dr. Erica Anderson is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. Specializing in breast and body procedures, she has helped many women through breast implant removal surgery. At her new location, she has created a welcoming setting where she can continue delivering unsurpassed results with outstanding patient care.
Are you interested in learning what breast implant removal or breast revision surgery can do for you? Contact us at (703) 893-1111 or complete our online form to schedule your breast implant removal or breast revision consultation today! We are in McLean, VA, and proudly serve patients from Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
What Is Breast Implant Removal?
Breast implants are not lifelong devices. Dr. Anderson recommends surveillance of your implants by ultrasound or MRI 5-6 years after they have been placed and every 2-3 years thereafter. If there is loss of the integrity of the implant, Dr. Anderson will recommend removal or replacement of your implants.
Breast implant removal is unique to each patient, so you should expect to experience a highly customized procedure and recovery. Your tailored breast implant removal surgical plan may also include complementary procedures like a breast lift or breast reduction.
There are many reasons to consider breast implant removal, including:
- Updating the style, size, or shape of your breasts and implants
- Repositioning the implants
- Addressing discomfort or pain from hardened scar tissue
- Correcting implant-associated issues, including rippling
- Resolving migration, leak, or rupture concerns
- Removing your implants if larger breasts no longer match your lifestyle
Choosing Dr. Anderson as Your Virginia Breast Implant Removal Surgeon
Dr. Anderson is an experienced, board-certified female plastic surgeon specializing in breast and body procedures. Over the last 20 years, she’s worked in academic and private settings, providing outstanding results and exemplary care for her many satisfied patients. Since opening her office at McLean Plastic Surgery, Dr. Anderson has applied her knowledge in a more personalized, welcoming setting where she can offer unparalleled care.
Dr. Anderson enjoys getting to know her patients, listening to their concerns and desires, and providing results they will love for years. As a mother and expert on breast procedures, she can empathize with her patients seeking breast revision, making her your choice as one of the best breast implant removal surgeons in Northern Virginia.
Dr. Anderson is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. She and her spouse, a cardiac surgeon, have four children and a Vizsla. She enjoys staying active with CrossFit.
Am I an Ideal Candidate for Breast Implant Removal?
Women want to remove their breast implants for various reasons – they need to address concerns like discomfort, no longer desire implants, or have decided to update their implants.
If you are interested in breast implant removal, you should:
- Be in good physical and mental health
- Be at a healthy, stable body weight
- Be a non-smoker or be willing to quit at least six weeks before and after surgery
- Not be pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Have no medical conditions that impair healing
- Have a positive outlook and realistic goals
- Understand the risks and benefits
Your Breast Implant Removal Consultation With Dr. Anderson
As one of the few female plastic surgeons in Northern Virginia, Dr. Anderson offers multiple breast rejuvenation options to help you achieve your long-term aesthetic goals. In a small, intimate office setting, Dr. Anderson will ask questions to match your procedure to your anatomy and lifestyle. Arrive at your consultation prepared to discuss your medical history and current medications, undergo a physical examination, and review your surgical options.
Dr. Anderson welcomes questions and believes educating patients about their procedures empowers them to make informed choices, making her your choice as Northern Virginia’s best breast revision surgeon.
Meet McLean's Breast and Body Specialist
Explore your transformative cosmetic surgery options available from board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Erica Anderson. As a breast and body contouring specialist, Dr. Anderson combines extensive knowledge of anatomy with her unparalleled passion for patient care. Schedule your consultation with one of the best plastic surgeons in Northern Virginia today.
Preparing for Breast Implant Removal Surgery in McLean, VA
You must be in good overall health before any breast surgery. Here’s general information to help you prepare.
- Avoid weight fluctuations by sticking to a consistent exercise regimen and well-rounded diet. Eat healthy, nutritious meals with plenty of protein for an optimal recovery.
- Remain well-hydrated before and after surgery.
- Ensure you’re medically fit for surgery by seeing your primary physician for a full examination and appropriate testing, such as a mammogram, bloodwork, or an EKG.
- Avoid medications, supplements, or vitamins that increase bleeding or bruising risks for at least two weeks before and after surgery.
- If you currently smoke, vape, or use nicotine products, you should quit. Smoking is detrimental to your recovery, so Dr. Anderson requires patients to stop smoking at least six weeks before and after surgery.
- Prepare for recovery. Take ample time off work, purchase necessary supplies, fill pain medication prescriptions, freeze meals for easy preparation, and create a clean, comfortable resting spot.
- Ask a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after your procedure.
- Arrange for assistance with household management or child care.
Breast Implant Removal Procedure Overview
On the day of your procedure, you’ll arrive at a fully accredited surgery center approximately an hour before your scheduled surgery. You will meet Dr. Anderson and your anesthesia provider to review your surgery details and ask any final questions you may have. Dr. Anderson will tailor your breast revision procedure to you based on what she learns about you and your preferences in your consultation.
Dr. Anderson will begin your breast revision surgery by creating small, well-concealed incisions in your breast creases or around your areolas to remove the implant and scar tissue. She tries to utilize your original scars if possible. If you are replacing your breast implants with a newer version, Dr. Anderson will insert those with a no-touch method to reduce the chances of implant contamination. Depending on your procedural plan, breast implant removal surgery may last for two to three hours.
Washington DC Breast Implant Removal Recovery
Breast implant removal is an outpatient surgery. You can go home the same day with a responsible adult to drive you. Following your breast implant removal, we’ll fit you with a support bra to minimize swelling and encourage your breasts to conform to their new contours. You will need to wear this garment as instructed for several weeks.
Expect to experience swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness in early recovery. These effects will gradually subside. Dr. Anderson will prescribe pain medications to minimize your discomfort.
Typically, patients must take one to two weeks off work to heal. You may also need assistance completing daily tasks, especially if you are a caregiver for children, pets, or older family members. Dr. Anderson recommends getting plenty of rest and avoiding strenuous activities, such as exercise or heavy lifting, for three to four weeks. You can resume light walks within a week, slowly building up to more intense workouts.
How Soon Will I See My Breast Revision Results?
Breast implant removal patients will experience a uniquely personal recovery based on their procedural plan, scar tissue, and the quality and quantity of their remaining breast tissue. You may notice a dramatic difference in your overall silhouette. You can expect swelling and bruising to take several weeks to resolve. Residual swelling may remain for up to a year, gradually diminishing to reveal your complete aesthetic results.
Scarring will be most pronounced in the first few months. Dr. Anderson will recommend scar management to improve their appearance. However, scars may take a year or more to mature
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How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost?
Due to the unique nature of Northern Virginia breast implant removal, costs will vary by patient, depending on anatomical needs and aesthetic goals. During your consultation, Dr. Anderson will determine the scope of your procedure and estimate your total price.
Dr. Anderson’s staff will discuss financing options during your consultation.
Schedule Your Northern Virginia Breast Implant Removal Consultation Today
Removing or replacing your breast implants is a uniquely personal decision. Partner with breast specialist Dr. Anderson, one of Northern Virginia’s best breast implant removal surgeons, to increase your confidence and enhance your self-image.
Learn more about breast implant removal or breast revision in Northern Virginia by calling (703) 893-1111 or completing our online form to schedule your consultation today!
Breast Implant Removal FAQs in Mclean, VA
If you no longer want your breast implants, they can be removed typically through the original scar and discarded. At the time of the removal, all or a portion of the capsule (scar tissue around the implant) is also removed.
Capsular contracture is hardness or tightening of the implant capsule that forms around the implant. The most likely cause is related to a biofilm that can coat the implant. I do everything I can to avoid it, but it can happen to some women.
The breast pocket simply retracts once the implant is removed. In some cases the breast will immediately look misshapen but will normalize with time.
Depending on the extent of capsule that needs to be removed, recovery from breast implant removal can be just a few days.
There are many factors to consider to know if you would benefit from a lift at the time of the implant removal. It can depend on your age, the laxity of your breast tissue and the location of the nipple areolar complex. At the time of your evaluation, a frank discussion of your goals will guide the decision. But not everyone will need a lift after implant removal.
Yes you can combine these procedures and I frequently do. But not everyone that wants their implants removed needs a breast lift. The decision can be made during our consultation.
There are no exact guidelines about breast implant removal. As long as you are happy with the size and shape of the breasts, nothing needs to be done. If you have silicone gel implants, I recommend routine surveillance of the implants with either MRI or US at year 5, then every 2 years thereafter. If there is no evidence of silent rupture of the implants, no surgery for exchange or otherwise is necessary.
Breast implants can be removed and replaced as you’d prefer.
