A very small percentage of breast augmentation patients ultimately choose to have their implants removed.
Why do women have their breast implants removed?
While breast implants are not meant to last a lifetime, they do not need to be removed or replaced if you are happy with how you look and feel. Here are some of the most common reasons women choose breast implant removal:
- Complications: While rare—especially when the original surgery is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon—complications do occur after breast augmentation. Capsular contracture, a tightening of the natural scar tissue that forms around the implant, is the most common complication.
- BIA-ALCL: A form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma called breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has been linked to some brands of textured breast implants. This rare form of cancer usually affects the capsule around the breast; it is not breast cancer. Early diagnosis is key to treatment and recovery.
- Personal preference: Some women no longer wish to have larger breasts for aesthetic or lifestyle reasons; others have never felt quite right with implants because of self-consciousness or body image issues.
- Breast implant illness (BII): Some women feel that their breast implants (silicone as well as saline) may be related to a range of symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, chronic pain, brain fog, and hair loss. While there is no medical diagnosis for BII, women can opt to have their implants removed if they believe it will improve their health.








