Breast implant removal in Zurich

A personal decision

The wish to live without implants is an independent and sufficient reason. It requires no medical justification.

Symptoms or concerns related to the implant

Some patients report local symptoms or general complaints and associate them with their implants. Such accounts are taken seriously and investigated with an open mind. A causal link cannot be proven in the individual case, and an improvement after removal cannot be guaranteed.

Capsular contracture

Hardening, changes in shape or pain caused by a thickened capsule can be a reason for removal — with or without capsule treatment.

Implant defect

With a proven or suspected defect, the next steps are discussed based on the findings and imaging.

A changed life situation

Sport, work, body perception and stage of life change; the wish regarding implants sometimes changes with them.

After removal, your own tissue alone determines the shape. Common findings are less fullness, softer tissue, a lower nipple position and a flatter contour in the upper area.

Influencing factors

The previous implant size, the duration they were worn, skin quality and elasticity, remaining glandular and fatty tissue, pregnancies and weight changes together determine the appearance. Large implants and a long duration tend to be associated with more marked changes.

What can be predicted — and what cannot

The direction of the change can usually be estimated well; the exact result cannot. How the skin retracts after relief only becomes apparent over months.

Why photos alone are not enough

Pictures of other patients show different starting points. What is meaningful is the examination, the palpation findings and your own history.

Removal alone

The smallest procedure. Sensible with a good skin envelope or if you prefer to wait and see how things develop.

Removal with a lift

Appropriate with marked excess skin and a low nipple position. It changes the shape but leads to additional scars.

Removal with fat transfer

Can partially compensate for volume and contour transitions. The effect is limited, requires suitable donor areas and is only predictable to a limited degree.

Removal with capsule treatment

Depending on the findings, the capsule is left in place, partially removed or completely removed. Complete removal is a larger procedure with its own risk profile and is not performed as a matter of course.

When replacement is the better option

If the concern is not giving up implants but changing size, position or shape, a replacement is considered instead.

Planning includes your medical history and the course so far, the implant passport and previous reports, a clinical examination of skin quality, glandular tissue and nipple position, and imaging where needed. The option of a wait-and-see approach and a two-stage concept are also discussed.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. Duration and stay depend on whether parts of the capsule are removed or a lift or fat transfer is added. Drains may be used.

Scars

The existing approach is often used. With an additional lift, further scars result, which fade over months.

Change in shape

The shape continues to change in the first months as swelling subsides and the skin adapts. A final assessment is possible no earlier than after several months.

Loss of volume

The loss of fullness is often felt to be particularly marked at first. This perception frequently becomes relative over time.

Asymmetry

Differences between the sides can become more noticeable after removal, because the implant previously concealed them.

Seroma

After the implant is removed, a cavity remains in which fluid can collect. A puncture or renewed drainage may become necessary.

Wound healing

Postoperative bleeding, infection and wound healing problems are possible.

Contour irregularities

Dimpling, folds or uneven transitions can occur.

Revision

A supplementary lift or contour correction may be desired or necessary over time. Full information is provided in the personal consultation.

The medical consultation for surgical procedures costs CHF 250. If you subsequently book an operation with us, the consultation fee is credited in full against the price of the operation. Following the examination, you will receive an individual cost breakdown that clearly states which services are included.

• Dr. med. Michael W. Payne

  Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

• Dr. med. Dr. Phil. Annemarie Nijboer

  Specialist in Surgery

• Breast surgery in Zurich — overview
• Revision surgery
• Implant replacement or removal — decision guide
• Implant replacement
• Breast lift
• Problems after previous breast surgery — decision guide
• Insights — revision

The initial consultation is about clarification, not selling. It does not necessarily end with a surgery date — often it brings the realisation that a different approach, or no procedure at all, is the right choice.

The consultation process

1. 01

   Discussion

   We listen to your concerns, medical history, expectations and what you would like to change about your appearance.

2. 02

   Examination

   A careful clinical examination and assessment of your underlying anatomy.

3. 03

   Options

   Possible procedures, alternatives, limitations and risks — explained clearly and without time pressure.

4. 04

   Time to reflect

   You decide in your own time. Any outstanding questions can be addressed in a further consultation.