Breast Implant Removal

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am considering breast implant removal. I have bilateral breast implants and now they are encapsulated the left is going under my armpit when I lay down. My insurance is paying for removal of implants and encapsulation removal. My Dr said it would cost $7000 to have new ones put it. I can’t afford that as I’m on Medicaid. I can afford the cost of implants themselves but not for the surgery room, anesthesia and the drs work even though I’ll already be having the other surgery paid for by insurance. My question is how bad will I look after this surgery. I’m so depressed and scared that I’m going to look deformed again.

A: I can not really answer your question without seeing pictures of your current breast situation. But it would be fair to say that the removal of breast implants does not usually return one to their pre surgical breast look. One’s breasts will usually appear worse than they originally were due to the stretched out skin and loss of further breast tissue. This if you felt that your breasts were deformed before the implants were put in then it is very likely that you will feel more so when these implants are removed.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana