Contraceptive Implant Removal

Simple & Specialist-Led Contraceptive Implant Removal

Whether your contraceptive implant has reached its three-year lifespan, you’re ready to plan for a pregnancy, or you’ve simply decided to change your method of contraception, the removal process should be quick, comfortable, and straightforward.

At Happiher, we provide an expert, specialist-led removal service. Dr. Manou Kaur’s extensive experience ensures that even in complex situations, your implant removal is handled with the utmost care and skill in a calm, outpatient setting, making the process as simple and stress-free as the implant itself.

The Removal Procedure: A Quick and Painless Process

For the vast majority of women, removing the implant is a very simple procedure that takes only a few minutes from start to finish.

1. Locating the Implant: Dr. Kaur will first gently feel your arm to confirm the exact position of the implant.
2. Numbing the Area: This is the most important step for your comfort. A small injection of local anaesthetic is administered at one end of the implant. This completely numbs the skin and tissue above it, ensuring the rest of the procedure is entirely painless.
3. The Removal: Once the area is numb, a tiny incision (only a few millimetres long) is made in the skin. The tip of the implant is then gently pushed towards the small opening until it becomes visible, where it can be easily grasped with sterile forceps and slid out.
4. Dressing the Area: The tiny incision is closed with a steri-strip (a small adhesive strip), and a dressing and pressure bandage are applied to minimise bruising.

The entire process is designed for your comfort, safety, and peace of mind.

The Specialist Advantage: Managing “Deep” or Non-Palpable Implants

In a small number of cases, an implant may have been inserted too deeply or may have moved, making it difficult to feel under the skin. In a standard GP setting, this would require a referral to a hospital for a more complex procedure, often involving long waits.

This is where specialist care makes a crucial difference.

As a highly experienced consultant gynaecologist, Dr. Kaur is equipped to manage non-palpable implants simply and effectively in our clinic. Using a high-resolution ultrasound scanner, she can precisely locate the implant in real-time and guide its safe removal during the same appointment. This expertise saves you the anxiety, delay, and stress of a hospital referral.

Your Patient Journey

• The Appointment: We will discuss your reason for removal and your plans for future contraception or fertility. The removal procedure will then be performed within the same consultation.
• Immediate Aftercare: The pressure bandage can be removed after 24 hours, but the steri-strip and small dressing should be kept clean and dry for 3-5 days. It is normal to have some tenderness and bruising around the site, which will fade over a week or two.
• Next Steps: Your fertility returns to its normal level immediately after the implant is removed. If you wish to have a new implant inserted or another form of contraception (like a coil) fitted, this can often be done at the very same appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does the removal hurt?
   No. After the small sting from the local anaesthetic injection has passed, the area will be completely numb. You will not feel any pain during the removal itself.
2. How long does the procedure take?
   The removal itself typically takes just 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Will I have a scar?
   You will have a very small scar from the incision, usually only 2-3mm long. This is often in the same location as your original insertion scar and will typically fade over time to be barely noticeable.
4. Can I get pregnant straight after it’s removed?
   Yes. Your natural fertility and menstrual cycle will return immediately. If you do not want to become pregnant, you must start another method of contraception right away.
5. Can I get a new implant fitted at the same time?
   Absolutely. A “remove and replace” procedure is very common and can be performed through the same tiny incision. Please let us know when booking your appointment.

Move Forward with Your Health Journey

When it’s time for a change, we are here to make the process as simple and comfortable as it can be.