I had a breast reduction with new implants placed in 3/2019. After the sx, I developed wounds to both breasts. The surgeon wants to take out the implants and put new implants. His staff said he would do this in office under local anesthesia, not in a surgery center. Is this common? I am concerned he will be cutting into my muscle in office and not in a facility with only local anesthesia!!
A breast reduction is normally considered a decrease in breast size WITHOUT breast implant placement. A breast augmentation normally utilizes breat implants and increases the size of the breast. Exposed breast implants can require removal without replacement. Consider addressing your concerns with your surgeon. Best,
Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS
Thank you for sharing your excellent question. In my practice in order to maintain the greatest degree of sterility to the implant I would only exchange them in an operating room setting. Sounds like it may be best to remove your implants to allow your wounds to heal first, and then replace the implants in the future.
The best option would be to contact the doctors office and address your concerns. A board certified plastic surgeon should be able to explain to you the reasoning behind his surgical plan. If you have implants after that need to be removed, it is probably best to leave them out while you heal. If you are uncomfortable with have the implant removal under local, you may also share your concerns and come up with a plan that best fits your needs.
Thanks for your question. If your surgeon is just removing the implants and not re-inserting them, it’s reasonable to do that in the office. However, if the surgeon is planning on replacing the implants at the same time as the removal, I personally would not do it in an exam room in the office. I would do it in an operating room setting. If your surgeon has a certified OR in the office, make sure it’s being done in the OR under the most sterile conditions possible.
Best wishes!
It's a little unclear as to what is going on. Bottom line: if I were to remove only or remove and replace implants, I would do that in the operating room for maximum safety and comfort.