I've seen here that it's recommended to have a history of previous implant procedure for reference. What if it's been 20 yrs since and records are lost and surgeon no longer practicing. How can I obtain a hostory? Is there a registry of my implants when it was done in a national registry? Can a current surgeon be able to still remove my implants without knowing my history?
The implant manufacturer usually maintains records but you would need to know which manufacturer but it does not matter for removal of your implants. I do what is called an en bloc capsulectomy.
Dr. Edward Jonas Domanskis is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Newport Beach(main office), San Francisco,Miami, EU, Anguilla
Assistant Clinical Professor of SurgeryWOS-Plastic,University of California (Irvine)
Orange County’s Physician of Excellence/America’s Top Physicians/Top Doctors
Plastic Surgery
President,American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons
Organoderm Skin care/ScaRxTape
Thank you for sharing your question. In most cases the exact information is not needed, although it can make any future revision a bit easier as the surgeon knows from what size/position you are starting from. The implant companies do maintain a record so you could reach out to them to see.
You don't mention why you want to remove your implants. If you are removing them and not replacing them, then you don't really need to know beforehand the size/manufacturer. Your surgeon will be able to give you that information once they are removed. If you are wanting to replace the implants because of failure, then the implants would be under "warranty" and you would qualify to receive a new free implant to replace the failed one(s). We will file a warranty request with both manufacturers in cases like yours, and then once the implant is removed and we know which brand it is, we will return the broken implant(s) to the appropriate company. There is now a National Breast Implant Registry, but it just started two years ago, and not all surgeons participate. This national registry will be a great resource for patients and plastic surgeons in the future.
If you want your implants removed, it does not matter what was placed prior. If you want your capsule removed, it also does not matter as this includes removal of the implant. If you want your explant done in the office under local, it would be very nice to know what you have as it may dictate whether you can do this in the office or if it requires the OR.
Yes, Sophie, your implant record may be available at the hospital or surgery center where the surgery was done, and you should have kept your registration card that was given on the day of surgery. If none of the above can happen, any ASPS-board certified surgeon can guess the size and style of implant, and remove them for you. If any other work needs to be done, you will need to thoroughly discuss that with the newly-chosen surgeon.
Lori L Cherup MD, FACS, Pittsburgh
Your implants can be removed without previous records but it is always worth a try to obtain them. Many women have the same situation as you where the surgeon is no longer in practice from many years ago. If you remember the hospital where you had the surgery they might have the records. You also can check with the current major implant companies, Allergan, Mentor or Implantech that were used at that time. Rest assured that your surgeon can removed them without the records. I always photograph the removed implants for the patients and they often have the manufacturer and lot number stamped on them. There is a national registry now, but there was not one 20 years ago. If you have new implants placed, you can have your information shared with the national registry by your surgeon. Good luck to you.
Hello Sophiee. Of course a plastic surgeon is able to remove your implants and change them for the new permanent ones. You need what you need, and as surgeons we are prepare to solve problems like yours.
28 year experienced