What Happens to the Breasts After Explant?

Explantation or breast implant removal is a popular procedure for patients who no longer want their breast implants, but many patients worry about their breast appearance without implants. This blog discusses possible reasons for breast implant removal, what patients can expect once their implants are removed, and other procedures that can be performed to improve breast appearance.

5 Min Read:

Table of Contents

• What If I Want to Remove My Breast Implants?
• What Is Explant Surgery?
• What Will My Breasts Look Like After Explantation?
• What Procedures Can I Combine With Explantation?
• Which Option Is Best For Me?

What If I Want to Remove My Breast Implants?

Although no one undergoes breast augmentation thinking they’ll eventually want their implants removed, things happen! Many women go several years loving their breast implants, only to discover that they are no longer right for them. There are several reasons you may wish to have your breast implants removed:

• Capsular contracture: When scar tissue constricts the breast implants, they can become misshapen, hard to the touch, and painful, resulting in a need to remove them.
• Rupture: If the implant becomes damaged or ruptured, it’s necessary to remove it in a timely manner. Silicone implants may be susceptible to “silent ruptures,” in which it’s difficult to notice a leak. In this case, patients need to have an MRI to determine if the implant is leaking.
• Weight fluctuations: Sometimes, weight gain can influence the appearance of your breasts. Gaining weight can result in the breasts getting larger beyond what you originally wanted with the implants.
• Changes in aesthetics: Large, round implants may have been the look you wanted at one point in your life, but now, that might have changed. Aesthetic changes are a common reason women choose to remove their implants.
• Changes in lifestyle: Breast implants may make certain active lifestyles more cumbersome. If you find yourself with physical limitations or pain during a workout, it might be time to remove your implants.

What Is Explant Surgery?

Explantation or breast implant removal is a cosmetic procedure to remove breast implants. This procedure is ideal for patients who no longer want their implants or are having painful issues with them and wish to have them fully removed.

Explant surgery usually involves a capsulectomy, or removal of the breast implant capsule. The capsule is a pocket of scar tissue that surrounds the breast implant and develops within the first few months after breast augmentation. When the breast implants are removed via explantation, the surgeon removes all or part of the capsule as well. An en bloc capsulectomy is when the capsule is removed as one entire piece, while a partial capsulectomy is when only a portion of the capsule is removed.

What Will My Breasts Look Like After Explantation?

This is a common concern for women, especially if they have had their implants for many years. The breasts, skin, and tissues all age at their normal rate, and if you have had large, heavy implants weighing your breasts down, it is likely that you will have some degree of ptosis or sagging. The breasts will naturally look smaller without the implants, but that does not necessarily mean that they will look droopy or deflated.

Your breast appearance will depend on your skin’s elasticity, the size and weight of your implants, and the amount of natural breast tissue (glandular tissue) and fat around your breasts.

Your board-certified plastic surgeon can advise you on how your breasts might look after explantation, and suggest other options.

What Procedures Can I Combine With Explantation?

You have plenty of options for combining procedures with breast implant removal, including a breast lift. A breast lift can:

• Reduce excess sagging skin
• Lift the breasts higher on the chest for a more youthful result
• Reposition the nipple-areolar complex

Breast lifts are incredibly popular as they create a more pleasing shape and position to the breasts, as well as correct downward-pointing nipples. While a breast lift does not provide any volume on its own, your surgeon can reshape the breasts for a more pleasing appearance.

What Is a Breast Revision?

Breast implant revision is another option for those who may not want to remove their implants. This procedure is custom by nature. Patients can choose to remove their implants and replace them with newer, updated ones. Options include:

• Breast implant removal and implant replacement
• Breast implant removal and breast lift
• Breast implant removal, breast lift, and breast implant replacement

Patients can choose to swap their implants for another type, such as round or anatomical shapes, silicone or saline. Those who feel that their implants are too large or cumbersome for their active lifestyles may wish to swap for a smaller, more manageable implant and go with the “yoga boob” look that is becoming more popular.

Which Option Is Best For Me?

If you are unsure which breast enhancement option is best for you, your best bet is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgeries, like Dr. Robert Spies.

Dr. Spies has decades of experience performing complex breast procedures to the great satisfaction of his patients. Dr. Spies will discuss your options with you and give you a good idea of what you can expect from your results after removing your breast implants, and which other surgical options can help you achieve the look you want.

Dr. Spies has earned renown as a kind, compassionate, and honest surgeon who always prioritizes his patients’ needs and goals. Paired with his exceptional surgical skill, patients are sure to have a positive and empowering experience.

Want to Learn More About Explant Surgery and Breast Revision in Scottsdale, AZ?

Call Dr. Spies today at (480) 359-1019 or complete the online form to schedule a consultation and learn what breast implant removal can do for you.