Core Utility
Eliminates foreign body, alleviates BII symptoms, restores natural anatomy.
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Accessing procedural parameters.
Accessing procedural parameters.
Not every patient is structurally suited for Breast Implant Removal. Enter your clinical markers to calculate your alignment score and unlock highly compatible, board-certified surgeons in your area.
Incision via prior scar. Total capsulectomy.
Volume loss creates skin redundancy. Pectoral re-adaptation.
Compression bra 24/7. Limit arm elevation.
Drains often used. Less pain than augmentation.
Assess skin elasticity. Check for rupture.
Comprehensive medical and procedure overview.
Breast implant removal, medically referred to as explantation, is a surgical procedure designed to remove breast prostheses previously placed for augmentation or reconstruction. While breast implants are not considered lifetime devices, the decision to remove them is highly individualized. The procedure may involve the simple removal of the implant and the fluid within it, or it may be more complex, involving the removal of the scar tissue capsule (capsulectomy) and concurrent breast lifting (mastopexy) to address aesthetic changes following the removal of volume.
From a physiological standpoint, the presence of a foreign object in the body triggers a fibrotic response, leading to the formation of a scar tissue shell known as the capsule. Over time, this capsule can thicken, calcify, or contract. Furthermore, the weight of the implant can cause stretching of the Cooper’s ligaments and the skin envelope, leading to ptosis (sagging). The clinical goal of explantation is not only to eliminate the device but also to restore the thoracic anatomy to a state that is as functional and aesthetically pleasing as possible, managing the remaining skin and tissue redundancy.
Patients seek explantation for a variety of reasons, ranging from medical complications to personal aesthetic preferences. Ideal candidates are individuals who have realistic expectations regarding the post-operative appearance of their breasts and are in good general health to undergo anesthesia and surgery.
The surgical approach to explantation varies depending on the condition of the implants, the state of the capsule, and the patient's aesthetic goals. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia.
In cases where the capsule is soft and pliable, and the patient does not require a significant lift, the surgeon may perform a simple removal. The implant is extracted through the original incision site (usually inframammary or periareolar). The capsule is often left in place to minimize bleeding and trauma, allowing it to adhere to the chest wall naturally.
This technique involves the complete surgical removal of the scar tissue capsule surrounding the implant along with the device itself. It is often indicated for patients with textured implants (due to BIA-ALCL risks), ruptured silicone gel implants where gel has leaked into the capsule, or severe capsular contracture. The surgeon dissects the capsule away from the rib cage and chest wall muscles before removing it.
En bloc removal is the most comprehensive technique. It involves removing the breast implant and the surrounding capsule as one single, intact unit. The capsule is never entered or cut from the inside; instead, it is dissected from the surrounding chest wall tissue from the outside. This method is highly recommended for patients with ruptured implants or confirmed BIA-ALCL to ensure no foreign material or cancerous cells are left behind in the body.
Following the removal of implants, the breasts often appear deflated, flattened, or saggy due to the stretched skin. To address this, surgeons frequently perform a mastopexy (breast lift) during the same surgery. This involves removing excess skin and tightening the breast tissue to reshape the mound. Alternatively, autologous fat transfer (lipofilling) can be used to restore volume and improve contour by harvesting fat from another area of the body (such as the abdomen or thighs) and injecting it into the breasts.
Recovery from explantation is generally faster and less painful than the initial augmentation surgery, as the pectoralis major muscle does not usually need to be cut or dissected again (unless the implants were submuscular and the capsule is being removed from the muscle surface).
While explantation is generally safe, all surgical procedures carry inherent risks. Specific complications associated with this surgery include:
The financial cost of breast implant removal varies significantly based on the complexity of the procedure, geographic location, and the surgeon’s expertise.