Most women find themselves thrilled with their breast augmentation results and enjoy their implants for many years to come, but sometimes, for one reason or another, they decide to have their implants removed. No matter the reason, Plastic Surgery Associates offer patients in Santa Rosa and Novato with the safest, individually-tailored explant procedures available today.
Why remove breast implants?
The reasons for implant removal range from desire for smaller breasts, persistent capsular contracture, increase in natural breast volume from weight gain or hormone changes, or problems such as deflation of a saline implant or silicone gel leak. Dissatisfaction in the appearance can decrease self-esteem, as a woman’s chest may no longer fit in with her lifestyle. Removing the current implants without replacement or exchanging them for a smaller size can create the desired appearance.
Reasons Patients Remove a Breast Implant
- Rippling
- Leakage or rupture
- Asymmetry
- Capsular Contracture
- Dropping or ‘Bottoming Out’
- Unhappy with size/shape
- Physical changes that accompany weight loss/fluctuations
- Alterations in shape after pregnancy/breast feeding
Candidates for Breast Implant Removal
Any woman who desires smaller breasts or has had issues with breast implants may be a candidate for the explant procedure. Patients should be in good health have clear, realistic expectations for the final results. Breasts change with time, even without implants, and implants can stretch the tissues, so breasts after removal of implants may look different from the way they looked before breast augmentation.
An in-person consultation with Dr. Heather Furnas or Dr. Francisco Canales can provide the information needed to determine if an explant procedure is something that is right for you. During this appointment, our surgeons will perform a physical examination and discuss your aesthetic desires in detail. The doctors will explain your options for a breast implant removal or implant exchange. Additional techniques, such as a breast lift to excise any stretched skin or tissue, may also be discussed at this time.
The Implant Removal Procedure
Every explant procedure will be unique, as the method will depend on the patient’s specific situation. In most cases, the incisions can be placed along the scar lines created during the initial breast augmentation procedure. If not, Dr. Furnas and Dr. Canales will create a well-hidden incision for easy access of the implant. Women experiencing capsular contraction may require removal of the part or all of the capsule around the implant. Implant replacement implant is performed after capsular work is done. The incisions are then closed with small sutures, and a compression garment may be placed.
Our surgeons perform their explant procedure in a private, accredited surgical suite at Plastic Surgery Associates’ office. Breast implant removal may be performed under general or local anesthetic and IV sedation, depending on the procedure. The procedure will generally take from one to two hours. The surgery is done as an out-patient procedure.
What to expect during your breast implant removal recovery
Recovery from an explant procedure will normally take a week or less. Initially, you can expect to be tired and sore. Pain is generally minimal, depending on the procedure performed. A compression garment or surgical bra may be recommended. The surgeon will review activity levels, which depend on the procedure performed. Swelling may be minimal or can last a few months, depending on the extent of surgery.
Learn more about breast implant removal
Deciding on breast implant removal can be difficult. The dramatic changes that come with an explant procedure require an experienced cosmetic surgeon, ensuring the right approach is taken to achieve positive results. Dr. Furnas and Dr. Canales are both board certified plastic surgeons, each with more than 25 years of explant experience. Contact Plastic Surgery Associates in Santa Rosa at 707.537.2111, or Novato at 415.895.5032, to arrange for your confidential breast implant removal consultation.
Breast Implant Removal FAQ
What is an explant procedure?
An explant procedure refers to the removal of a woman’s breast implants. This can be performed for several reasons, including the desire for a different shape/size breast, capsular contracture, implant leakage or rupture, breast asymmetry, rippling, or ‘bottoming out’.
What is a breast implant exchange?
Many women are looking to replace their current breast implants with a different size, shape, or type of implant. During your consultation at Plastic Surgery Associates, Dr. Furnas or Dr. Canales can determine if you are a good candidate for a breast implant exchange.
Will my breast implant removal procedure cause additional scarring?
In most cases, Dr. Furnas and Dr. Canales can make their explant incisions along the scars left from the original augmentation or by using well-hidden new incisions if needed.
When can I return to work after my explant procedure?
Most women are feeling good enough to return to work, school, and routine activities within a week of their explant surgery.
What are the risks of breast implant removal?
Dr. Furnas and Dr. Canales each have close to 30 years of explant experience, proving women with the safest surgical procedures available. As with any invasive technique, a small chance for complications does exist. Risks of breast implant removal include unexpected bleeding, scarring, asymmetry, and nerve injury.
Implant Removal at a Glance
| Purpose | An explant procedure will reduce the size of the breasts through removal of breast implants. |
| Procedure: | Breast implants are removed during an outpatient procedure, using either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. A breast implant exchange can be performed, as well as a mastopexy, or breast lift. The surgery generally takes one to two hours. |
| Recovery: | Most women feel good enough to return to work in a week or less, with exercise and strenuous exercised postponed for 4-6 weeks, depending on the procedure performed. |
| Results: | An explant procedure can achieve a more desirable, natural-looking silhouette. |
| Related Procedures: | Breast Augmentation, Mastopexy, Breast Reduction |