Breast Implant Removal (Explant) in West Palm Beach, FL
Dr. Rankin is one of the nation's leading explant surgeons, performing more than 500 breast implant removal procedures every year for West Palm Beach patients and others across Palm Beach County.
Meet David Rankin, MD
Dr. David Rankin is a board-certified plastic surgeon and one of the country’s top breast implant removal doctors. He specializes in explant surgery and has performed thousands of successful surgeries over his career. Dr. Rankin is also the Chief of Plastic Surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, and has spent decades performing both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery across Palm Beach County.
Breast Implant Removal Before & After Photos
All images from actual Aqua Plastic Surgery patients
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Expert Breast Implant Removal in Palm Beach County
Most plastic surgeons perform breast implant removal as one of many breast procedures. For Dr. Rankin, it’s the focus of his practice. He performs more than 500 breast implant removal surgeries each year, a volume reached by few surgeons anywhere in the country. That depth of experience shapes everything from how he counsels patients through the decision, how he handles complex capsules, and the way he restores the breasts after implants are removed.
Dr. Rankin reviews each patient’s records and imaging carefully before the first appointment, so the conversation starts with a real understanding of her case. He then explains the available techniques in plain language and is honest about any trade-offs, giving every patient the time she needs to make the right decision.
His work has been featured across major media outlets, including NBC News, USA Today, People, Inside Edition, and the Daily Mail, and patients regularly travel to Aqua from across the country and abroad to visit him.
Reasons Women Choose Breast Implant Removal
The decision to remove breast implants is a deeply personal one. Some women no longer want the look of larger breasts and are ready to return to their natural shape. Others are dealing with the physical effects of aging implants, including capsular contracture, rupture, or shifting that’s changed the appearance of the breast over time. And in some cases, women come to Dr. Rankin because they’ve been experiencing health symptoms they believe are tied to their implants, a condition commonly known as breast implant illness, or BII.
Breast Implant Illness (BII)
Breast implant illness refers to a cluster of symptoms that vary from patient to patient, but commonly include fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, muscle weakness, hair loss, rashes, and a general sense of not feeling like themselves anymore. Many women have spent years searching for an explanation, often after being told by other providers that their symptoms aren’t related to their implants.
While BII isn’t yet recognized as a formal medical diagnosis, the FDA has acknowledged a growing body of patient reports and continues to study the link between implants and systemic symptoms. Dr. Rankin takes every BII consultation seriously and treats each patient as the expert on her own body. His role is to give you accurate information about what explant surgery can and cannot do, so you can make an informed decision about whether removal is right for you.
Get Expert Advice on Breast Implant Removal Surgery
Our Explant Patient Liaison, Dee Hicks
Aqua offers something most explant practices don’t: a dedicated explant patient liaison, who has personally guided hundreds of women through the implant removal process. From your first phone call to your post-surgical recovery, Dee is available to answer questions, coordinate logistics, and connect you with other women who’ve been where you are.
Meet Dee Hicks — and Hear Her Story
In Her Own Words
“I explanted in 2016 after suffering tremendously with breast implant illness. I’ve been an advocate for women for over eight years. I attended both Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meetings in Washington, D.C., regarding breast implant safety and spoke on behalf of the thousands of sick women globally.
I helped get the textured implants recalled off the market and played a role in having the FDA issue a black box warning for all breast implants. I’ve been on multiple news outlets, included Inside Edition and Business Insider. I’ve been featured internationally as well in The Daily Mail.
My story has been printed in several magazines, including Women’s Own Magazine in the United Kingdom. I’ve been working for Dr. Rankin in Jupiter, FL, since 2019 as his explant liaison. In that role, I help women navigate through their explant processes and support them throughout their journey. I’ve helped thousands of women through their explant journeys.
In addition to contacting the practice during regular office hours at (561) 776-2830, I welcome anyone to send me an email with any questions they might have.”
Dee’s email: Dee@aquaplasticsurgery.com
Dee Hicks has been advocating for breast explant patients for years. She’s here to help explant patients on their journey to recovery.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
Breast explant surgery typically takes around two hours and is performed under general anesthesia in one of Aqua’s two fully accredited operating suites in Jupiter. Most patients are home the same day, recovering with the help of a loved one.
Implant Removal
Dr. Rankin keeps incisions as small as possible to minimize post-operative scarring, and works through them to carefully remove the implants. If the implants have ruptured or the capsule has hardened from contracture, the capsules holding the implants are also removed. Once the implants are out, Dr. Rankin addresses any loose skin that’s been stretched by the implants, trimming and reshaping the breast tissue to create a natural shape.
Finishing the Procedure
Before closing, Dr. Rankin places drains to support healing in the days that follow, and offers a nerve block to reduce pain for up to 72 hours after surgery. For many patients, the nerve block significantly reduces or even eliminates the need for prescription pain medication. The incisions are then closed with dissolvable sutures, and a surgical bra is placed before the patient is moved to a recovery suite to rest before going home.
Combining Explant with Other Procedures
For patients who have good breast tissue and skin elasticity to begin with, the result after explant alone is often satisfying. In other cases, Dr. Rankin may recommend pairing the explant with a breast lift to lift the breasts higher on the chest wall and improve the overall shape. He’s refined a specific surgical approach for this combination, known as the tissue wrap-around technique, that consistently delivers safe, natural-looking results.
The tissue wrap-around technique uses the patient’s own breast tissue to add volume back into the upper part of the breast after the implant is removed. During the procedure, Dr. Rankin selects tissue from the lower portion of the breast, keeps the lower end attached to preserve blood supply, and rotates it up to fill the space the implant left behind. The result is a fuller upper breast and a tightened lower portion in one step, using only the patient’s own tissue.
Recovery After Breast Implant Removal
Recovery is a gradual process, and the timeline depends on whether explant alone is performed or paired with a breast lift. In general, most patients can plan on 1-2 weeks away from work and normal activities, with a return to exercise after several more weeks.
The First Week
Patients are seen the morning after surgery for a follow-up appointment, or on Monday if the procedure falls on a Friday. Some swelling, bruising, and tenderness are normal in the days that follow, and Aqua’s team can prescribe oral pain medication to keep you comfortable. The surgical drains placed during surgery are typically removed in the office about three to five days after the procedure, once each side is producing 20ml or less of fluid over a 24-hour period.
Returning to Daily Life
Most patients take 1-2 weeks off from work and their normal routine. During that time, vigorous activity should be avoided to allow the breast tissue to settle and the incisions to heal properly. Light walking is encouraged from the start, but anything more strenuous is held off until cleared by Dr. Rankin.
Follow-Up Appointments
Beyond the first post-op visit and drain removal, patients return for follow-ups at three months and six months after surgery so Dr. Rankin can monitor healing progress and the final shape of the breast. He’s available to his patients at any point in between for questions or concerns.
When You’ll See Your Final Result
Final results, particularly breast shape, are typically reached nine to twelve months after surgery. The exact timeline depends on a number of factors, including previous breast surgeries, the amount of native breast tissue, the size of the implants that were removed, skin elasticity, and any pre-existing asymmetry.
“I just wanted to say THANK YOU to you and your staff for taking such good care of me during my explant.”
KAREN McDOUGAL, Former Playmate of the Year and fitness cover model
Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Implant Removal?
Explant surgery can be the right choice for women in a range of different situations. Most candidates share a few things in common: they’re in good general health, they have realistic expectations about the result, and they’ve spent time thinking through the decision rather than coming to it impulsively.
You may be a good candidate for explant if:
- You want to return to a smaller, more natural breast shape
- You’ve been living with capsular contracture, rupture, or other physical changes to your implants
- You believe you may be experiencing symptoms of Breast Implant Illness
- You no longer want the look or feel of breast implants for personal or lifestyle reasons
- You’re seeking improved comfort or mobility, particularly for physical activity
The best way to know for sure is a consultation with Dr. Rankin. He’ll review your history, examine the breasts, and help you understand what’s possible for your case.
The Proof Is In Our Patients’ Stories
I am deeply grateful to Dr. Rankin and his incredible team for the exceptional care I received during my explant. From the moment I walked in, they made me feel comfortable, informed, and cared for. Their professionalism and compassion were evident in every detail, and I always felt I was in the best possible hands.
Love Dr. Rankin! He did my tummy tuck in May. We're now in October, and I'm doing great. He's a great surgeon. I definitely recommend him to all my friends and all my doctors. His staff is wonderful. The girls are so sweet! I'm going to get liposuction done in November to finish up the great work that he did.
One month since my explant surgery with Dr. Rankin, and I couldn't be more thankful. Choosing the right doctor was important to me, and Dr. Rankin and his team exceeded every expectation. Their support made me feel reassured at every step. The results are beyond what I hoped for! I feel free and truly happy.
I am deeply grateful to Dr. Rankin and his incredible team for the exceptional care I received during my explant. From the moment I walked in, they made me feel comfortable, informed, and cared for. Their professionalism and compassion were evident in every detail, and I always felt I was in the best possible hands.
Love Dr. Rankin! He did my tummy tuck in May. We're now in October, and I'm doing great. He's a great surgeon. I definitely recommend him to all my friends and all my doctors. His staff is wonderful. The girls are so sweet! I'm going to get liposuction done in November to finish up the great work that he did.
One month since my explant surgery with Dr. Rankin, and I couldn't be more thankful. Choosing the right doctor was important to me, and Dr. Rankin and his team exceeded every expectation. Their support made me feel reassured at every step. The results are beyond what I hoped for! I feel free and truly happy.
I am deeply grateful to Dr. Rankin and his incredible team for the exceptional care I received during my explant. From the moment I walked in, they made me feel comfortable, informed, and cared for. Their professionalism and compassion were evident in every detail, and I always felt I was in the best possible hands.
Love Dr. Rankin! He did my tummy tuck in May. We're now in October, and I'm doing great. He's a great surgeon. I definitely recommend him to all my friends and all my doctors. His staff is wonderful. The girls are so sweet! I'm going to get liposuction done in November to finish up the great work that he did.
One month since my explant surgery with Dr. Rankin, and I couldn't be more thankful. Choosing the right doctor was important to me, and Dr. Rankin and his team exceeded every expectation. Their support made me feel reassured at every step. The results are beyond what I hoped for! I feel free and truly happy.
I’m beyond grateful for Dr. Allyson Deziel! Such an amazing experience, with amazing results! Truly the best decision I’ve ever made.
Ashley is very caring and gentle with her patients. She takes time to explain the procedure and then performs like an artist! Sending my relatives and friends her way!!! They are blessed to have her!
I flew 2,000 miles each way from Colorado to Florida to see Dr. Rankin at Aqua Plastic Surgery, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. He is truly one of the BEST explant surgeons, and he has helped me reconnect with my authentic self. His skill and compassion made this a healing experience.
I’m beyond grateful for Dr. Allyson Deziel! Such an amazing experience, with amazing results! Truly the best decision I’ve ever made.
Ashley is very caring and gentle with her patients. She takes time to explain the procedure and then performs like an artist! Sending my relatives and friends her way!!! They are blessed to have her!
I flew 2,000 miles each way from Colorado to Florida to see Dr. Rankin at Aqua Plastic Surgery, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. He is truly one of the BEST explant surgeons, and he has helped me reconnect with my authentic self. His skill and compassion made this a healing experience.
I’m beyond grateful for Dr. Allyson Deziel! Such an amazing experience, with amazing results! Truly the best decision I’ve ever made.
Ashley is very caring and gentle with her patients. She takes time to explain the procedure and then performs like an artist! Sending my relatives and friends her way!!! They are blessed to have her!
I flew 2,000 miles each way from Colorado to Florida to see Dr. Rankin at Aqua Plastic Surgery, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. He is truly one of the BEST explant surgeons, and he has helped me reconnect with my authentic self. His skill and compassion made this a healing experience.
Visiting Aqua from West Palm Beach
Aqua Plastic Surgery is located about twenty minutes north of West Palm Beach in Jupiter. For most patients in the WPB area, the drive is a straight shot up I-95 to Indiantown Road, or along Alternate A1A for a more scenic route through Juno Beach.
Our office is in The Commons at Abacoa, with parking directly outside. For patients having same-day surgery, the location makes it easy for a loved one to drive you home and have you resting at home in under an hour.
If you’d prefer to start with a virtual consultation before traveling north, that’s also an option. Our patient liaison can walk you through what to expect and help you decide whether an in-person visit makes sense from the start.
Breast Implant Removal FAQs
We use Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA) during explant surgery. This is considered general anesthesia — you will not remember the procedure or feel anything — and we tend not use a breathing tube (intubation) unless deemed necessary by our anesthesia team. With this technique, no gas is given as it tends to cause nausea in many patients. We feel that TIVA is the most safe and effective method for our patients, and we believe strongly that our patients should wake up without feeling any nausea or pain.
Dr. Rankin uses drains with explant surgery.
Drains are small tubes that are easy to care for, and we will teach you or a family member how to do it. After explanting there is a pocket that exist where the implants were. This pocket can have fluid build-up and cause a seroma (fluid collection), which is prevented by the drains. The drains are generally removed when each side produces 20ml (ccs) or less over a 24-hour period. The drains are removed by Dr. Rankin’s staff in the office and stay in an average of 3-5 days.
At this time, all dressings will be removed and replaced with new, lighter dressings. You will also get instruction on scar care and treatment.
There is often some mild drainage around the drains which may drip. There may also be some clot-like material inside the tubes, which you can see. These are both normal.
Most women who report symptoms of breast implant illness opt to remove their implants without replacing them.
Aqua Plastic Surgery offers fat grafting to breast explant patients who want to add a small to moderate boost in volume to their breasts without the risks associated with implants.
Fat grafting to the breasts allows patients to increase breast size naturally, by utilizing fat cells from other areas of the body, and transferring to the existing breast tissue. It is the perfect complement to the breast explant procedure or to provide fullness and symmetry for augmentation.
After implant removal, patients should expect to wait about six months post surgery before scheduling the fat grafting procedure. Explant patients are offered an additional discount when they opt for this procedure.
Patients should not to to the gym or work out for the first three weeks after surgery. Walking is fine and encouraged during this time. Keep your arms at your side for the first two weeks as much as possible. For weeks 3-6, you can do light physical activity with caution. After six weeks you may resume normal physical activities such as cardio and lower body weights, however avoid engagement of the pec muscles (push-ups or bench presses) for the first three months.
The cost of surgery follows a range based on your personal situation. During your consultation, we will discuss your surgery and needs to come up with a refined cost for your treatment. All pre-operative consultations are free. The final cost of your treatment will be discussed in more detail at your pre-operative consultation with Dr. Rankin. Aqua Plastic Surgery offers several affordable financing options to help you pay for your procedure. These will also be discussed during your consultation.