Breast Implant Removal
Toronto
The breast implants you chose years ago may no longer be the size or shape you want today. Your body may have changed, or you may just feel ready to have them removed. At FORM Face + Body in Toronto, we help you explore what breast implant removal would mean for your natural breast shape. We'll look at your skin and remaining breast tissue to determine if removing the implants alone makes sense or if a breast lift could give you a result you're happier with.
A Decision That Fits You
Breast implant removal means taking out implants that were put in during a previous breast augmentation or reconstruction.
The surgeon makes an incision to reach the implant and checks the capsule, which is a layer of scar tissue your body forms around the implant. If the capsule is healthy, it may be left alone, but sometimes part or all of it needs to be removed.
After removal, you can choose to live without implants or think about a lift or fat transfer to change your breast shape. Breast implant removal is not the same as an implant exchange, which means replacing your old implants with new ones.
Reasons for a Change
Some people want smaller breasts, while others have problems with their implants or worry about future maintenance. Breast implants are not meant to last forever, but there isn’t a set time when they must be removed. You might consider surgery for reasons like:
If you have new swelling, a lump, or ongoing pain, you should get a medical check-up before planning a routine cosmetic removal.
A Plan for Your Natural Tissue
Taking out your implants can make your breasts lighter, fix a known implant problem, and let you go back to a smaller size without worrying about future replacements. Some people also choose a lift to improve the shape after removal.
What removal can do depends on your breast tissue and why you’re having surgery. It can’t promise your breasts will look exactly like they did before augmentation or that all general health symptoms will improve. We’ll talk about these limits when you make your decision.
When Removal Makes Sense
You might be a good candidate if you don’t want implants anymore, have capsular contracture or a possible rupture, or want to change the results of earlier surgery. We’ll look at your medical history, implant records, medications, nicotine use, and any recent mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI results. If you have a new symptom, we’ll check that out before planning surgery.
We also check how much natural breast tissue you have and whether your skin has stretched. If your skin is still elastic, removal alone might work well. If you had larger implants or your breasts sag, a lift might be a good idea.
Choosing Your Next Shape
Your surgeon takes out the implants without putting in new ones or doing a lift. They may use your old incision. This option works well if you’re happy with a smaller, softer breast shape.
A breast lift can move your natural breast tissue and nipple to a higher position after the implants are removed. It’s helpful if your skin has stretched or your nipples are lower than you want. A lift does add scars, and we’ll talk about that before surgery.
Fat transfer breast augmentation takes fat from another part of your body and adds it to your breasts. This can give you some extra fullness without new implants, but you need enough fat to donate and the increase in size is limited. Some of the fat may be absorbed, so more than one session might be needed.
If the capsule is thick, painful, or has a problem related to the implant, your surgeon might suggest removing part or all of it. This is called a capsulectomy, and it can make the surgery and recovery more involved. Not everyone needs this step during implant removal.
Understanding the Capsule
Scar tissue forms naturally around both silicone and saline implants. If the capsule is soft and healthy, it may not need to be removed. If the scar tissue is hard, the implant is ruptured, or there are other issues, removal might be needed. Taking out tissue close to the chest wall has extra risks, so it should only be done for a clear reason.
The term en bloc is often used online, but it has a specific meaning in surgery: it means removing the capsule along with some surrounding tissue when there is a suspected or confirmed implant-related cancer after proper investigation. This is not the usual method for cosmetic implant removal or breast implant illness. We’ll explain which approach is right for your situation.
What Changes After Removal
A Plan Based on What We Find
At your assessment, we’ll talk about why you want your implants removed, check how old they are and what type they are if you know, and examine your breast tissue and skin. If there’s a concern about rupture or another problem, imaging may help. We’ll also ask what breast size and shape you’d like after surgery. You’ll be able to compare removal alone with adding a lift or fat transfer, find out if capsule surgery is needed, and learn about recovery and cost. The consultation helps you decide how much change you want.
Care in the Details
Explant surgery is usually done under general anesthesia and most people go home the same day. When possible, your surgeon will use your old incision to remove the implant. The capsule is checked and treated as planned. If you’re having a lift or fat transfer, those steps will change how the surgery is done and how long it takes.
Our Toronto practice has an on-site Surgical Centre for appropriate procedures. Your surgeon will confirm the setting, anesthesia, and arrangements for going home.
Time for Your Body to Adjust
You can expect some chest soreness, bruising, swelling, and tightness at first. You’ll have dressings and might need to wear a supportive bra while you heal. Sometimes drains are used for extra fluid. We’ll explain how to care for your incisions and any drains before you leave.
Most people take one to two weeks off before going back to desk work. If your job is more physical, or you had a lift or capsulectomy, you may need more time. You can start gentle walking early, but heavy lifting and hard exercise should wait a few weeks. Your breast shape will keep changing as you get back to normal activities.
An Honest Look at Scarring
Yes. If your old incision gives enough access, your surgeon may use it again instead of making a new scar. If there’s a rupture or a lot of capsule needs to be removed, that plan might change. A breast lift adds scars around the areola and sometimes down to the breast crease, depending on how much skin needs to be removed. Scars are usually pink or firm at first, but they soften as time goes on. We’ll show you what the incision pattern will look like before you decide.
Knowing the Risks
Risks include bleeding, infection, fluid buildup, slow healing, ongoing pain, changes in nipple feeling, uneven breasts, and visible scars. Less common problems are damage to breast tissue, blood clots, and issues with anesthesia. Adding a lift or capsulectomy can increase risks, and some people may want more correction later.
We’ll go over the possible complications that relate to your medical history, implant condition, and surgical plan. If you have new symptoms that could mean implant-related cancer, you’ll need a medical check and a different treatment plan.
Understanding the Cost
The cost of breast implant removal depends on whether you have removal alone, capsule removal, a lift, or fat transfer. The amount of work, anesthesia, and where the surgery is done also affect the price. We don’t have a single price for every explant procedure. After your assessment, we’ll explain the plan we recommend and give you a personal quote that shows what’s included. You can compare removal alone with combined surgery before you decide. Prices are in CAD, plus any HST.
Experience Behind the Decision
Our Toronto surgical team includes Dr. Ron Somogyi, trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Toronto with further fellowship training in breast reconstruction, and Dr. Cory Goldberg, a Royal College-certified plastic surgeon who performs breast surgery. Their experience helps guide decisions about contracture, previous surgeries, and breast shape. Our gallery shows real cases of implant removal and breast lifts by Dr. Somogyi. We’ll let you know when a simple approach is enough and when extra surgery might give you a better result.
Yes. Some people are comfortable with the natural shape left after removal. If your skin is stretched or the nipples sit low, we'll explain what adding a lift could change.
No. A healthy capsule may be left in place. Painful contracture, rupture, or another finding can make partial or complete capsule removal appropriate.
No. Total capsulectomy removes the whole capsule. En bloc also removes a margin of surrounding tissue and is reserved for appropriately investigated suspected or established implant-associated cancer.
Some people report improvement, but results vary and research hasn't established a clear cause for every symptom. Other causes should be evaluated too.
Silicone rupture can be difficult to notice. Imaging and a surgical assessment can determine the next steps, including whether silicone material or capsule tissue needs to be removed.
Yes. Breast revision surgery may involve exchanging implants or correcting their position. We can compare those choices with explant surgery.
Yes. Removal doesn't replace routine breast screening. Follow age- and risk-appropriate screening, and mention your prior surgery.
Cosmetic removal is generally not covered. Coverage for medically necessary surgery depends on the diagnosis and Ontario's eligibility rules, which should be confirmed for your case.
Many people plan for one to two weeks before desk work. More extensive capsule surgery, a lift, or a physical job can require a longer recovery.
