Dr. Jeffrey Lee is the Breast Implant Expert of Boston. Dr. Lee is a Harvard trained plastic surgeon serving patients in the greater Boston area. He specializes in cosmetic procedures of the face, breast, body, as well as nonsurgical treatments such as Botox and Juvederm. Dr. Lee grew up in the northeast and graduated from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania with honors (magna cum laude). From there he went to medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine where he made the decision to become a surgeon. After medical school he completed his training in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard Medical School hospital. Dr. Lee will make an accurate assessment and then formulate a safe, customized plan just for you. His practice, JL Plastic Surgery, is open daily in Boston, Mass.

Haute Beauty spoke one on one with Dr. Jeffrey Lee about his Face, Breast and Body procedures.

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Jeffrey Lee

HB: What is the breast implant removal process involve?

Breast implant removal is the removal of breast implants. It can be done alone or with a combination of other procedures including capsulectomy, new implant placement, or a breast lift.

Implant removal involves either going through a new incision or through your old scar and removing the implant.  The capsule, which is the scar tissue that forms around the implant is typically left in place unless there is a reason to remove it.  One of the things that can happen with the capsule is something called capsular contracture.  It is when the capsule becomes hard to the touch, pushes the implant up, and can sometimes cause pain.

HB: Who is a good candidate for implant removal?

As a breast expert, anyone who has breast implants is a good candidate for implant removal.  Since everybody’s goals are breasts are different, the plan is generally customized to the individual.  Someone who has implants without problems and wants an exchange because it has been 10 years is very different from the person who is experiencing signs of breast implant illness or has capsular contracture.

HB: How do you work with the patient to achieve the desired outcome?

It’s really important to get a sense of the patient goals because it really drives the treatment plan.  That is why the consultation is so important for me to understand what is going on.  It also helps me educate the patient as best I can so that they can make the best decision for themselves.

HB: Are the results permanent?

Since we cannot stop gravity or time, everyone experiences aging and sagging with time regardless of surgery performed.  I can give you a fresh start but the clock keeps ticking.

Recovery depends on how much work is done.  An implant removal alone is actually really easy to recovery from and most of my patients feel like they did not even have surgery.  Either way, recovery is typically easier than when the implants went were placed initially.

HB: What is the cost for this procedure?

The average cost for implant removal alone is $4,500-$5,500.