Breast Implant Removal

Breast implant removal is surgery to remove existing breast implants, with the surrounding capsule treated only as clinically appropriate. Depending on the breast envelope and your goals, removal can be performed alone or combined with a breast lift or fat transfer.

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/ Benefits

Benefits of Breast Implant Removal

Removes unwanted implants: Suitable for patients who no longer want implants or require removal for a clinical reason.
Allows reassessment of breast shape: The procedure can be planned around the natural breast tissue that remains.
Flexible reconstruction options: Removal can be combined with lift or selected fat grafting when appropriate.

/ At a glance

Breast Implant Removal at a glance

Surgery duration1 - 2.5 hours

Result lastsPermanent implant removal; breast shape continues to change naturally

Follow-upIncluded

Hospital stayDay case or 1 night

Drive7 - 10 days

Shower2 - 3 days

Sport4 - 6 weeks

Sexual activity2 - 3 weeks

/ Patient voice

What patients say.

All reviews

From the first consultation, I felt listened to rather than sold to. Everything was explained clearly, including what surgery could and couldn’t achieve. The result feels completely natural — I still look like myself, just more rested.

DIANAGOOGLE JAN 12, 2026

I was nervous about having surgery, but the whole process felt calm and very well organised. The team were reassuring without ever being dismissive, and the follow-up care was excellent.

HELENEGOOGLE DEC 10, 2025

What mattered most to me was that the result didn’t look ‘done’. The change is subtle, balanced and exactly what I hoped for.

MAXIMEGOOGLE NOV 24, 2025

/ How it works

How does Breast Implant Removal work

Removes the implant: The existing implant is removed through the previous scar where practical.
Assesses the capsule: Capsule tissue may be left, partially removed or more extensively removed depending on findings and indication.
Plans the breast after removal: Skin quality, gland position and the amount of native breast tissue determine the likely post-removal shape.
Can be combined: A mastopexy can be added where loose skin or breast descent would otherwise remain significant.

/ Patient journey

Patient journey

01Step

Consultation

1. Understanding Your Goals

Your priorities: The consultation starts with what you would like to change, what matters most to you and what you hope surgery will achieve.

2. Clinical Assessment

Clinical assessment: Dr Mercer assesses anatomy, tissue quality, asymmetry, scars and any factors that may affect the operation or healing.

3. Options, Limits & Planning

Options and limits: Suitable surgical options, likely scars, trade-offs and realistic outcomes are discussed rather than assuming that surgery is the right answer.
Planning: If you choose to proceed, clinical photography, measurements and a personalised operative plan are completed before a surgery date is confirmed.

02Step

Planning

Before surgery

Imaging and records: Previous implant details and any relevant breast imaging are reviewed where available.
Nicotine: Stop nicotine for the advised pre- and postoperative period.
Medication: Provide a complete medication and supplement list and follow individual instructions.

Practical planning

Support: Arrange transport home and help for the first day or two.
Garments: Have a soft postoperative bra ready if recommended.

03Step

Surgery day

Anaesthesia

General anaesthetic: Removal is commonly performed under general anaesthesia.

Removal and capsule assessment

Access: The old scar is reused where feasible.
Implant removal: The implant is removed and the pocket is inspected.
Capsule management: Capsulectomy is tailored to the clinical indication rather than performed automatically in every patient.
Closure: Drains may be used selectively; the incision is closed and supported with dressings.

04Step

Recovery

Week 1

Expected: Swelling, bruising and tightness around the old implant pocket are common.

Weeks 2–3

Work: Many patients resume desk-based work as comfort improves.

Weeks 4–6

Exercise: Upper-body exercise is reintroduced gradually after review.

3 months +

Final shape: The breast envelope continues to contract and settle for several months.

05Step

Aftercare

First week

Dressings: Keep incisions clean and dry and wear the recommended support garment.
Mobility: Walk regularly but avoid lifting and forceful upper-body movement.

Weeks 2–6

Activity: Return to normal activity progressively according to healing and comfort.
Scar care: Scar massage or silicone is introduced only when wounds are fully healed.

06Step

Follow-up

Early review

What happens: The team checks wounds, swelling, comfort and any dressings during the first postoperative period.

1–2 weeks

What happens: Incisions and early healing are reviewed; sutures or dressings are removed when appropriate and activity guidance is updated.

6 weeks

What happens: Dr Mercer reviews recovery, scars and return to exercise, and checks that healing is progressing as expected.

3–6 months

What happens: Progress photographs may be taken as swelling settles and scars continue to mature.

Around 1 year

What happens: A longer-term review can be used to assess the mature result once tissues and scars have fully settled.

/ Results

View Before & After Results

Explore real patient outcomes and see the considered results achieved across our procedures.

Result image — to supply

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Contraindications

When Surgery May Not Be Suitable

Uncontrolled medical conditions: Elective surgery may need to be postponed until significant heart, lung, clotting, metabolic or other medical problems are appropriately managed.
Nicotine use: Smoking, vaping and nicotine products can materially increase wound-healing and tissue-compromise risks; a nicotine-free period may be required.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Elective aesthetic surgery is normally deferred until pregnancy and breastfeeding are complete and the body has stabilised.
Unrealistic expectations: Surgery can change anatomy and proportion, but it cannot create perfect symmetry or guarantee a particular emotional or social outcome.

Risks and side effects

Risks & Possible Complications

All surgery carries risk. Your individual risk profile is discussed during consultation and again as part of the consent process.

Bleeding and infection: As with any breast surgery, bleeding, wound problems and infection can occur.
Contour change: The breast may look smaller, flatter, looser or more asymmetrical after implant removal.
Seroma: Fluid can collect in the implant pocket and occasionally require drainage.
Sensation change: Breast or nipple sensation can change.
Scarring: The existing scar may be revised, but scar quality remains individual.
Further surgery: A later lift, fat transfer or other procedure may be considered if the breast shape changes as tissues settle.

/ Price

Breast Implant Removal pricing

Breast Implant Removal £6,500

Implant Removal + Capsulectomy from £8,000

Implant Removal + Breast Lift £11,500

Request a consultation Finance available

/ The surgeon — Dr Adrian James Mercer

A considered approach to plastic surgery

Dr Adrian Mercer is a Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon based in London. His practice is centred on considered decision-making, precise surgical planning and natural, proportionate outcomes, with continuity of care from consultation through recovery.

/ Qualifications

MBBS — Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
BSc (Hons) — Medical Sciences
MRCS — Member of the Royal College of Surgeons
FRCS (Plast) — Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery
Specialist training in Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

/ Memberships

GMC Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery
British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)
British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons — FRCS (Plast)

/ FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need a capsulectomy?

No. Capsule removal depends on the indication, capsule condition, imaging, implant integrity and surgical judgement. The plan should be individual rather than automatic.

Will my breasts sag after implant removal?

They may appear looser or smaller, especially after large implants or significant tissue stretching. A breast lift can be considered when the skin envelope will not contract sufficiently.

Can implants be removed and lifted in one operation?

Often yes, provided your anatomy, health and the surgical plan make a combined procedure appropriate.

How much does breast implant removal cost?

Indicative fees start at £6,500, with higher fees when capsulectomy or a breast lift is required.