Butt implant removal, also called gluteal implant explantation, is performed when patients experience complications such as implant displacement, infection, capsular contracture, or simply want a different aesthetic. While the procedure is generally safe in experienced hands, it carries specific risks that patients should understand before proceeding.
Why Patients Choose Butt Implant Removal
Common reasons for gluteal implant removal include:
- Implant displacement or malposition (implant has shifted from original placement)
- Capsular contracture (scar tissue hardening around the implant)
- Chronic pain or discomfort from the implant
- Infection that does not resolve with antibiotics
- Personal preference change, wanting a more natural look or planning to switch to BBL fat transfer
- Implant rupture or damage
Surgical Risks of Gluteal Implant Removal
Removal surgery is generally more complex than the original placement because of scar tissue and tissue changes that occur around the implant over time. Specific risks include:
- Infection: Particularly elevated risk if removal is being performed due to an existing infection
- Hematoma: Bleeding into the surgical pocket after implant removal
- Seroma: Fluid accumulation in the empty implant pocket
- Nerve damage: Possible numbness or altered sensation in the buttock region
- Contour irregularities: The gluteal shape after removal may appear deflated, uneven, or irregular
- Capsule-related complications: If the fibrous capsule is left in place, it may contract or cause ongoing discomfort
What Happens to the Buttock Shape After Removal?
After gluteal implants are removed, most patients experience some degree of contour change. The skin and tissue that expanded around the implant may leave the buttocks appearing flattened, loose, or irregular. Options to address this include:
- BBL fat transfer: If the patient has sufficient donor fat, a simultaneous or staged BBL can restore volume naturally
- Re-implantation: Replacing the removed implant with a new one, often at the time of removal
- Conservative management: Allowing tissues to retract naturally over 6–12 months before reassessing
Choosing the Right Surgeon for Implant Removal
Implant removal requires surgeon familiarity with gluteal anatomy and revision surgery. At Svelta Plastic Surgery, our board-certified surgeons have experience managing gluteal implant complications and can walk you through a personalized removal and reconstruction plan during your consultation.