Subdermal Implant Removal

The birth control implant is a small, flexible rod placed under the skin of the arm. When its time is up, when you want to get pregnant or if it causes problems, it can be removed with a short procedure at the clinic.

When should it be removed?

• When the time on your implant card is reached; in the U.S. the approved label is up to 3 years.
• If you want to get pregnant.
• If you have side effects you cannot tolerate, such as irregular bleeding that does not improve.

What is the procedure like?

1. Locating: the medical team feels for the implant in the arm.
2. Local anesthesia: a small area of skin is numbed.
3. Removal: the whole rod is taken out through a cut of a few millimeters.
4. Closing: an adhesive strip and a pressure bandage are applied.

Removal usually takes a few minutes. If the implant cannot be felt, an imaging study is needed to locate it before trying to remove it.

Aftercare

• Keep the pressure bandage on for 24 hours and the small strip for a few days.
• A small bruise or tenderness is normal.
• Get checked if redness spreads, there is pus or you have a fever.

And after the implant?

Fertility returns quickly after removal. If you do not want to get pregnant, start another method the same day so you are not left unprotected; the medical team guides you on pills, the shot or other options.

We are at 2912 Mangum Rd, Suite A, in northwest Houston, open every day from 9 AM to 9 PM. No insurance needed; ask for the price before your visit. We accept cash, cards and Apple Pay.