Breast Implant Removal Overview

By Dr. Grant Stevens

The breast implant removal procedure itself is very straightforward. Once the breast implants are removed, there are at least four options a woman can choose from to enhance the breast appearance after implant removal:

Breast Implant Removal Only

A woman can simply have her breast implants removed and be done. Many women choose this option. This is especially popular when the implants are on the small side and/or the woman is less than 45-50 of age.

Fat Transfer to breasts

Some opt to have fat injected into their breasts in an effort to restore lost volume or breast size. This can be done at the time of implant removal or at a later time. She must have some fat on her body in order to do this fat transfer to her breasts. The area that the fat is taken or “harvested” from is called the “donor site.”

Breast Lift

In older women and those with large implants, the breasts are often saggy or “Ptotic” when the implants are removed. In these cases, women frequently ask for a breast lift or “mastopexy” at the time of implant removal. Some women ask for a mastopexy or lift after the implant removal. Breast lifts tighten the skin of the breast and raise the breast off from the chest and upper abdomen. The nipples are lifted, not removed. Most women preserve nipple sensation and regain a much prettier breast shape.

Breast Lift + Fat Transfer

Finally, some women choose to do both, a fat transfer and a breast lift, at the same time when they have their implants removed. This is also an option if their breasts are saggy and smaller than they prefer.

If you aren’t sure which way you want to go, you don’t have to make a decision in advance of removal surgery. Many women choose to remove their implants and “live with them for awhile” before deciding what they wish to do.

Many patients “fly in for surgery “ and they fly back home in 5-7 days.  These “fly ins” have come from 63 countries and all 50 states. We are set up to take care of you as little or as much as you wish. Some Fly Ins ask us to take care of everything, and we are set up to do just that. Just let us know how much assistance you desire.

We are also happy to do cyber consults on line or live on FaceTime. You can send us your medical history and photos of your breasts, and we will review them and contact you.  We can schedule your surgery, and you fly in the day before. Much of the paperwork , any lab tests and the financials are completed the week before you arrive. Official consents, photos and prescriptions are completed the day before surgery with most of our “Fly ins.“

Out the door costs including the surgeon’s fees, the operating room fees, the anesthesia fees and pathology charges range from $8-15,000 depending on which option you choose and the length of your surgery.

Any questions? Please call (310) 846-8457.

Take care, WGS

About Dr. Grant Stevens

W. GRANT STEVENS, MD, FACS Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery University of Southern California Grant Stevens, MD, FACS, is the founder and medical director of Marina Plastic Surgery and the Orange Twist Institute in Marina Del Rey, California. He is a Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Southern California, Chairman of the USC-Marina Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship and the Director of the USC Division of Aesthetic Surgery. Dr. Stevens is past president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and chairman of the ASAPS Board of Trustees. He is third vice president of the board of directors of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). He was elected by his peers into "The Guide to Top Doctors" and Castle Connolly's "Top Doctor Guide," recognizing him as one of the best plastic surgeons in America and one of the select few to be featured in "Plastic Surgery: The World's Top Surgeons & Clinics." Dr. Stevens is an active member at Marina Del Rey Hospital, where he is the past Chairman of the Department of Surgery, the Chairman of the Liposuction Committee and the Medical Director of The Breast Center. He is also on staff at St. John's Medical Center, the Marina Outpatient Surgery Center and USC. Dr. Stevens graduated with honors from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis where he was awarded the Senior Prize in Surgery. He completed his general surgery training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center then returned to Washington University-Barnes Hospital where he completed a Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with Dr. Paul Weeks, Dr. Leroy Young, Dr. Tom Mustoe, Dr. Jeffrey Marsh and Dr. R. Christie Wray. He is a board certified Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons. He was appointed by the governor of California to the Medical Board of California Medical Quality Review Board. Dr. Stevens is an ASAPS and ISAPS Traveling Professor lecturing at numerous international, national and regional meetings and is an invited visiting professor at numerous U.S. and international universities. Dr. Stevens has authored more than 90 articles and chapters on aesthetic plastic surgery. He is a member of many medical societies, including ASAPS, ISAPS, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, International College of Surgeons, American College of Surgeons and American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery. Dr. Stevens is the past Chairman of the California Medical Association Advisory Panel on Plastic Surgery. He received the California State Assembly and the California State Senate Certificate of Recognition. He has also received the Special Congressional Certificate of Recognition and the Distinguished Service Citation from the Medical Board of California. He has been interviewed for articles including those in Time, USA Today, People, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Glamour, Vogue, Allure, Cosmetic Surgery Times, Business Week, Men's Fitness, LA Times Magazine, Discovery and numerous newspapers. He has appeared on more than 125 television programs including CNN, Discovery, 60 Minutes, MSNBC, The Learning Channel, PBS Nightly Business Report and many other TV and radio interviews.

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