The most common reason that cosmetic patients wish their breast implants removed is to have larger implants placed. There are also replacement operations for implant rupture and breast hardening or Capsular contracture.

It is infrequent in plastic surgery that a patient requests that her breast implants be removed and not replaced. This can be accomplished without much difficulty, but depending upon how much breast tissue and skin is present can leave variable results. Sometimes the addition of a breast lift or even a reduction can improve things. With all this being said, some patients look better without their implants. These are usually older subglandular "Over the Muscle" cases in which distortion is evident.

Breast Implant Removal Without Replacement Example

Insurance Coverage and Breast Implant Removal

Trying to figure what a health insurance company will and will not cover (much less the rate and time to payment) has driven more than one surgeon to stop dealing with them. We still work with most PPO insurance as a non-Provider (in most cases) and simple removal with capsule removal is usually covered. Additional procedures to improve the appearance of the breasts are not. At this point, it seems that most local insurance companies are reviewing requests involving breast implants carefully so be patient if you decide to go this route. It seems that the adjuster assigned to a particular case has more to do with approval than anything else. Pre-approval is absolutely necessary for these operations in Southern California.

Most insurance companies seem to be covering the removal of the implants and perhaps the scar capsules, but nothing else. Working with an insurance company makes things more complicated:

• The Pre-approval process can be lengthy.
• Insurance companies often have contractual agreements with hospitals and will demand that the surgery be performed there.
• Hospitals charge more than outpatient surgical facilities. Your share of cost can be large if your plan covers less than 100%.

The charges for surgery include several services: surgeon's fees, anesthesia fees, implants (unless they are not being replaced), operating facility and recovery room/hospital stay. Insurance companies agree to cover these charges but the amount they cover is not specified on the front end. Your share of cost can be considerable..

Please note that this resource is offered freely to individuals considering breast implant surgery. No rights are granted and it is not to be reprinted or copied without the author's prior written consent. Understand that some of the information presented may be a matter of professional opinion. Although efforts have been made to assure accuracy, no guarantees are expressed or implied.