When I had my two SCS's put in, I asked about removal, if necessary. The dr. who put them in said he doesn't do removal as it would require the more delicate work of a neurosurgeon due to scarring in of leads and other possible removal issues. Could be why getting contradictory statements about removal. He did imply that it would all come out, not just the battery pack.

Have heard of folks who just keep theirs in their body, and just leave them turned off forever. Downside to that is no ability to do MRI's if needed.