Facts About Breast Explant Surgery

Posted on January 17, 2021

A breast explant procedure involves removal of breast implants while maintaining a natural body profile. It is major surgery, and typically more complex than the original placement. That is because scar tissue forms after most surgical procedures.

Experienced plastic surgeons Dr. David Rankin and Dr. Dev Vibhakar have performed hundreds of breast explant surgeries for patients in Miami, Jupiter, and throughout South Florida, and are ready to help you achieve your aesthetic or medically necessary goals with precise implant removal.

Restoring a Natural Profile

 When implants are removed, the pocket that held the implant must be refilled with natural tissue to restore an attractive profile. The technique used is similar to breast lift. When large implants are removed, the skin may have a stretched look; in addition, the breasts may appear to sag or have a deflated appearance.

Dr. Rankin and Dr. Vibhakar are skilled in reshaping and lifting your breast tissue to ensure your look is as natural as before your initial surgery.

Preference and Necessity

There are many reasons women choose breast explant surgery. Sometimes it is a matter of preference: a patient simply does not like the look or feel of implants, or the goals she was hoping to achieve were not met. Occasionally patients have health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, that may be aggravated by the presence of implants. Implants may have drifted or begun to affect the texture of the skin. 

In some cases a condition such as capsular contracture develops. This happens when scar tissue forms around an implant. Patients feel pain and notice a hardening of breast tissue. Scarring from capsular contracture can actually cause an implant to rupture.

Recovery

If your explant surgery involved the removal of scar tissue, you may feel some discomfort, which will be managed with prescribed medication. Beyond that, your recovery will be very similar to that of your initial surgery. You will again experience soreness and swelling, and will need to limit activities for several days. It will actually take several months for the swelling to disappear.

To find out more about breast explant surgery, please contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling our Jupiter office at (561) 776-2830 or our Miami office at (305) 918-1750.