What Happens With Breast Explant Surgery?

Breast implants have a real risk of failure at some point in a patient’s lifetime. Patients may notice that their breasts have enlarged over time and are now bigger than they are comfortable with. Some patients may develop symptoms after breast implant placement and may decide to remove the implants to try and improve their health. Whether the implants’ original purpose was reconstruction or augmentation, removal or replacement may prove necessary. Sacramento plastic surgeon Debra J. Johnson, M.D. explains the breast explant surgery process.

Breast Explant Surgery

The actual procedure depends on the surgeon and the individual patient. Breast explant surgery involves removal of not only the implant but also the scar tissue capsule that formed around the implant. This is known as capsulectomy. Some patients request “en-bloc” capsulectomy that leaves the implant within the capsule. This requires a larger incision. Otherwise, if a smaller incision is preferred, once the capsule is encountered by the surgeon, she opens the capsule and removes the implant. The capsule can then be removed and brought out through the smaller incision.

Removal of the implants can result in breast sagging. Patients may opt for a breast lift at the same time to reposition the nipples and tighten the skin “bra” for a more youthful looking breast. Breast lifting, also caused mastopexy, creates more scar on the breast. The amount of scarring depends on the size of the breast and the size of the removed implant.

Breast Explant Healing

After the surgery, you must wear a support bra to minimize post-surgical swelling. Most patients recover within two weeks and can then go back to work and resume normal activities.

Contact Us

If you would like to have your breast implants removed and want more information about breast explant surgery, contact board-certified Sacramento plastic surgeon Debra J. Johnson, M.D. today and schedule a personal consultation. You can discuss your reasons for the removal and your desired surgical goals.