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While there are exceptions, many breast implants do not last forever. Natural wear will sometimes call for the removal and replacement of implants. However, some women wish to get rid of their implants when this time comes. Breast implant removal is a procedure that removes the artificial implants from a patient’s breast pocket and helps them achieve the natural breasts they are desiring.
At Cosmetic Surgery Associates in Bethesda, MD, we work closely with our patients to help them achieve a look that they love so that they feel healthier, happier, and more confident. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Richards, Dr. Jabs, or Dr. Magge at our Maryland office to find out why patients travel from Potomac and North Bethesda to have their breast implant removal performed at Cosmetic Surgery Associates.
Recovery:
1 week
Cost:
Starts at $4.6K
Results:
6 weeks
About Breast Implant Removal
Breast implant removal is a popular surgical option for women who wish to return to their natural breast size following breast augmentation with implants. In most cases, the surgery can be performed at any time following the placement of implants. There are a variety of reasons why women choose to remove their implants, both functional and aesthetic. It is also possible for women to undergo breast revision, which allows women to replace old implants or fix issues they have with their current implants without removing them permanently.
Why Women Choose to Remove Implants
Breast implant removal, sometimes calling explanting, has gained popularity over the past decade. While many women love their implants, others wish to return to their natural breast size for a variety of reasons. Part of this can be attributed to a change in what’s considered attractive in popular culture. Many women chose to get implants during the reign of Pamela Anderson and Baywatch. Now, over a decade later, some women are due for a replacement of their implants and have decided that they no longer desire the larger breasts that they once did.
Other reasons why women choose to remove their implants is due to cost of maintenance, neck and back pain, difficulty working out, or other health concerns. At Cosmetic Surgery Associates, we don’t believe that there is any “right” or “wrong” reason for wanting to remove implants. However, during the consultation, we will go over the patient’s reasoning thoroughly to better work together and choose the procedure that will give them results they love for years to come.
Feel free to request an appointment today if this surgery is something that interests you.
Good Candidates
In general, women with implants who wish to remove them must be in good health and have reasonable expectations for the outcome of their surgery. They should be nonsmokers, posses the proper ability to heal, and should not be allergic to anesthesia.
There are few exceptions for when it would be in the woman’s best interest to keep their breast implants. One of these exceptions is for women who were previously small chested and have gotten significantly larger implants. In some cases, the skin around the implant may have thinned to a point that the nipple requires the implant for support.
The only way to determine whether or not a patient is a good candidate for any cosmetic surgery is by meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Richards, Dr. Jabs, or Dr. Magge, who can help the patient make the right decision.
Procedure
Breast implant removal surgery is typically performed as an outpatient operation under IV sedation or general anesthesia. When possible, our doctors will try and remove the implant through the same incision where it was originally placed as to avoid further scarring. The doctor will determine the best point of extraction during the patient’s consultation.
The surgeon will then remove each implant. It is likely that the patient will require an additional procedure, such as a breast lift, depending on their individual case and aesthetic goals. If so, the doctor will perform that additional breast enhancing procedure before suturing the incisions. The patient will then be taken to a recovery room with attentive nurses until they wake up from the anesthesia.
Recovery
In the days following the procedure, patients can expect to experience some bruising and swelling. They will be provided with a prescription to help ease any additional discomfort. In order to aid in good recovery, they will be placed in a compression garment.
The patient should plan on taking a couple days off from work to ensure proper healing. During this time, they will be instructed to do some light stretching and walking. They should avoid anti-inflammatory medications and smoking during this time.
Following breast implant removal surgery, the breasts will not look like their original size and shape right away. Often, the breasts may appear deflated or pruned following the procedure as the skin readjusts to its initial shape. More than half of women will require an additional procedure to get their breasts back to looking like they did before their augmentation surgery. It can take up to a month for the breasts to return to their natural shape.
All patients are required to return for a follow-up appointment about one week after their procedure. At this time, the doctor will ensure that the patient is healing according to plan and remove any non-dissolvable sutures. Most often, more than one follow-up appointment will be scheduled, as our relationship with the patient extends far beyond the procedure date.
Consultation
A consultation is necessary prior to performing any breast implant removal procedure. During the consultation, one of our experienced doctors – Dr. Richards, Dr. Jabs, or Dr. Magge – will go over the patient’s reasons for wanting breast implant removal surgery. They will also ask the patient about their medical history, including but not limited to their breast augmentation procedure and maintenance record.
In order to determine whether or not the patient is a good candidate for breast implant removal and the best techniques for their situation, the doctor will perform a physical examination and take measurements. They will also take photographs for further evaluation.
The doctor will offer their expert opinion on the best techniques for the individual’s case. However, it is ultimately the patient’s decision whether or not they choose to undergo surgery. There is no pressure for the patient to make a decision or schedule their appointment at the time of the consultation. We urge the patient to ask any questions they may have so that they leave the consultation feeling fully informed.
Pricing
The cost of breast implant removal is dependent on a number of factors specific to the individual. For this reason, it is important that the patient schedule a breast implant removal consultation at our Bethesda, Maryland office and meet personally with one of our highly experienced doctors. Once the doctor has examined the individual case, our team will be able to provide the patient with a cost estimate for the procedure.
Additional Procedures
At Cosmetic Surgery Associates, removing the implants is not the only goal of breast implant removal surgery. The ultimate goal is to leave the patient with a bust that they love. In order to achieve the patient’s desired results, an additional procedure may be necessary.
Breast Lift
Over half of our breast implant removal patients find that they will need a breast lift in order to achieve their desired results. This is due to the fact that the skin around the breast has been stretched from the implant and without the implant now appears pendulous. In order to avoid saggy or deflated looking breasts, a breast lift can help regain the perkiness of the patient’s original breasts.
A breast lift may require a slightly longer incision than the breast augmentation incision. Depending on the degree of ptosis, or sagging, that the breast has, the doctor will make one of the following incisions.
- Crescent: half circle incision around the areola
- Donut: full circle incision around the areola
- Lollipop: full circle incision around the areola, plus an incision from the lowest point of the areola to the breast crease
- Anchor: same incisions as the lollipop, plus another incision along the breast crease
The doctor will then reposition the nipple and raise the breast to a more attractive height. Please feel free to look at some of our breast lift before and after photos on our website to get a better understanding of what can be accomplished from the procedure, while keeping in mind that results will vary.
Breast Implant Removal Consultations
Please call our office today or fill out our online form in order to set up a one on one consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. Our office is located just 12.7 miles from Washington, DC and 6.7 miles from Chevy Chase, MD. Give us a call today!
Keshav Magge, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Honored as a Top Doctor by Bethesda Magazine and Washingtonian in both 2024 and 2025, Dr. Magge is recognized for his exceptional surgical skill, artistic precision, and patient-centered approach. A leading plastic surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland, he completed a fellowship in Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he gained advanced expertise in facial rejuvenation and aesthetic surgery innovations.
Meet Dr. Magge
A. Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Jabs is an award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeon recognized nationally for his expertise in creating natural-looking results and his warm, compassionate approach to patient care. Trained in NY at Columbia University, he served in the US Army and has special expertise in facial rejuvenation. He has over 35 years of experience and has consistently been voted a top plastic surgeon by Washingtonian and Bethesda magazine.
Meet Dr. Jabs
Franklin D. Richards, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richards has been recognized as a Top Doctor by several prestigious organizations, including Castle Connolly, Consumers’ Research Council of America, and Washingtonian magazine. A leading plastic surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Richards is the past Chief of Plastic Surgery at Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital. His expertise is in achieving natural results in facelift and eyelid surgery, with additional interests in cosmetic surgery of the breast and abdomen.
Meet Dr. Richards
Complementary Procedures
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery can relieve pain from heavy breasts and make movement and exercise more comfortable. It also helps achieve a proportionate shape for improved confidence and ease in everyday life.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation enhances the size of the breasts using saline or silicone implants. Our board-certified plastic surgeons use artistry and advanced techniques to create symmetrical breasts that are proportionate to each patient’s physique.
Breast Lift
The breast lift is a popular procedure for women who want to address signs of aging or post-pregnancy changes to their bodies. During the procedure, excess skin and breast tissue are removed, and the remaining tissues are carefully lifted to achieve rounded, youthful-looking breasts.
The staff was amazing and made me feel comfortable every step of the way.
Get it DONE! The staff was amazing and made me feel comfortable every step of the way. My results are amazing, and I conquered the biggest hurdle in this journey - picking the correct Doctor and team. No regrets. Thank you, CSA.
– verified patient
I have been going to CSA for over a year, and it’s always such a nice visit.
I have been going to CSA for over a year, and it's always such a nice visit. Super professional, and I always feel taken care of.
– verified patient
I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND COSMETIC SURGERY ASSOCIATES.
I had such an amazing overall experience at Cosmetic Surgery Associates. The staff is very pleasant. I had my first invasive cosmetic procedure done back in September, and the final results are amazing. I LOVE IT. I'm so much happier with my body now. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Prior to my surgery, I had been thinking about this for a while, and I'm so happy I made the decision to go through with it. I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND COSMETIC SURGERY ASSOCIATES. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
– verified patient
Their equipment, skill level, and expertise are superb.
This practice is truly outstanding! Their equipment, skill level, and expertise are superb. The staff is extremely friendly, kind, and professional; they make you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in the door.
– verified patient
Every single person in their office makes you feel so welcomed and comfortable the moment you step into the office.
Every single person in their office makes you feel so welcomed and comfortable the moment you step into the office. The day of my surgery, the staff took amazing care of me and went above and beyond to calm my nerves, talk me through it, and made it such a great experience. I highly recommend this office. I can't thank them enough for all that they did for me!
– verified patient
My experience there was beyond 5 stars.
My experience there was beyond 5 stars. From taking the appointment to post surgery. Even now after 10 months, the follow ups are outstanding. The whole staff took great care of me and the results are what I expected. Thank you for everything. Don't think twice and use this clinic if you want best in class service and the best result.
– verified patient
All of the staff were highly knowledgeable, and I received consistent direction and guidance from all of the staff.
Literally every staff member I interacted with from the front desk down to the surgical team gave stellar customer service and truly made me feel comfortable. My sister even felt the warm energy from the staff after meeting them the morning of surgery. All of the staff were highly knowledgeable, and I received consistent direction and guidance from all of the staff. I would highly recommend Cosmetic Surgery Associates to anyone seeking a cosmetic procedure!
– verified patient
I can’t stress enough how great this whole experience has been.
I can't stress enough how great this whole experience has been. Not only did he make me feel comfortable in my body, but 10x more confident. His work is truly beautiful. 100% recommend!!
– verified patient
I feel very comfortable and look better in my clothes.
The staff are professional, caring, and pay attention to detail. Almost 10 months post op. The results exceeded my expectations. I feel very comfortable and look better in my clothes. I'm so grateful. I highly recommend this practice.
– verified patient
The staff was wonderful, respectful, accommodating, and very knowledgeable!
The staff was wonderful, respectful, accommodating, and very knowledgeable! The facility was very clean and one of the staff members helped me work the coffee machine for a fresh cup of coffee!
– verified patient
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