Breast Implant Removal

• Immediate recovery (weeks 1-2): expected changes include discomfort and pain, swelling, bruising. You will be wearing a surgical bra, and vigorous activities should be avoided.
• Returning to normal activities: at 1 -2 weeks most patients return to light activities and strenuous work; at 4-6 weeks more vigorous activities can be introduced, guided by your discomfort levels.
• Breast shape may take 6 – 12 months to settle, depending on the specifics of your operation and where your incisions are located.

Perth women may see Dr Colbert for breast implant removal because they want to be cared for by a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.

• Dr Colbert MBBS FRACS (Plastic Surgery) is an Australian trained and fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
• Dr Colbert is one of only a few Specialist Plastic Surgeons in Australia who focuses exclusively on breast and body surgery.
• Dr Colbert personally performs all surgery and aftercare himself, and doesn’t get surgical assistants or nurses to treat you during or after your operation.
• Dr Colbert and his staff are renowned for their amazing patient care, delivered in a comfortable and stress-free environment.

Scars after breast implant removal or revision depend on the specific procedure chosen.

Implant removal (without breast lift) leaves a scar in the breast crease. Scars may appear red or raised initially, then usually fade over 6-12 months. Proper scar care (silicone sheets, massage, sunscreen) can help minimise their appearance.

Implant removal with a breast lift results in scars around the areola, down the front of the breast, and in the breast crease. Initially, scars are red or pink and can be raised, but usually fade over 6-12 months. Proper scar care may minimise their appearance.

Fat grafting to the breast involves removing fat from one part of the body (such as thighs or abdomen), processing the fat into an injectable form, then injecting this fat into to breast, aiming to increase the size of the breast.

Risks of fat grafting include fat necrosis (hard lumps), incomplete fat survival and asymmetric results, fat cysts, the need for multiple injections, long term changes in breast shape due to changes in overall body fat. Fat grafting can also create calcifications or lumps that may complicate mammogram readings.

In most cases the risks of fat grafting are greater than the benefits (potentially a small increase in cup size), however Dr Colbert can discuss this with you during your consultation.

The cost of breast implant removal in Perth can be confusing, and to help make things clearer we have listed the approximate fees that make up the final cost.

• Surgical fee: For breast implant removal Dr Colbert’s surgical fee is between $3000 and $4000 per side, depending on whether a partial or complete capsulectomy is performed. Costs are higher if a mastopexy is performed, or if new breast implants are inserted. These costs may be further reduced through a Medicare rebate, with the specific rebate amount depending on if a partial capsulectomy (item number 45548) or complete capsulectomy (45551) is performed. A further subsidy is usually provided by your private health insurance, however you’ll need to contact your fund to confirm this.
• Anaesthetic fee: The anaesthetic fee is subsidised by Medicare and your private health fund, with usually an out of pocket gap left to pay.
• Hospital fee (this includes operation room fee, bed costs, surgical or medication fees, and any other hospital extras): If you have private health insurance then this may be covered by your insurance fund, but you should check with your fund if there is any out of pocket expenses. If you have no private insurance then you will have to pay this fee on discharge from the hospital.