Explantation Surgery; The most important part of our mission is to help women who have been damaged by breast implants, and we’re doing that. Our explantation surgery protocol is helping many women heal from the damage breast implants cause.
We perform explantation surgery for women with symptoms of autoimmune disease that are caused by an immune response to leaking or ruptured silicone or saline breast implants. We also perform the surgery for those who want them removed for other reasons, including those who simply want their old implants out and replaced with new ones.
Explantation surgery is not the same as capsulectomy surgery.
Explantation is about removing the breast implants and leaving the scar tissue (capsule) intact.
Capsulectomy surgery is about removing both the breast implants and all of the scar tissue (capsule).
With explantation surgery, the scar tissue capsule is left intact and inside your body. The implant and any contents are removed. This type of procedure carries the risk that some of the capsule may break off and remain inside your body if it is not completely removed. Sometimes patients will experience recurrence of their symptoms or even other health issues after explantation with capsule left intact.
Explantation surgery is the removal of your breast implants. You can remove or replace the implants or leave your breasts as they are.
Reasons to have explantation surgery include:
You no longer like the look of your breast implants
The breast implant is leaking or has ruptured
You’re having an adverse reaction to the breast implants
You’ve developed capsular contracture — a complication that occurs when scar tissue forms around the implant and squeezes it, making the breast feel hard and painful
Explantation surgery
Explantation refers to the removal of a breast implant. This may be done to treat breast implant leakage, capsular contracture (scar tissue), pain, or if your breasts have become uneven. Many women also choose to undergo explantation surgery if they simply want to remove their implants and restore their natural breasts.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and can last from one to two hours depending on whether you choose to have both implants removed at the same time. We typically make an incision around the areola and down the crease beneath the breast to minimize scarring and allow for easier access to the implant capsule. The capsule is then removed along with any scar tissue that may have formed around the breast implant. If you have had saline implants, they often deflate upon removal while silicone implants will usually retain their size. This can result in an empty space beneath the skin after both implants are removed which must be reconstructed with fat grafting or through a follow-up breast lift procedure.
After your surgery, you will be fitted with a surgical bra over gauze dressings that help to reduce swelling and discomfort. You will also be given instructions on how to care for your wounds upon returning home as well as instructions on how to
Explantation of breast implants is the removal of existing breast implants. It is often done in an effort to treat a medical condition, or for cosmetic reasons. The procedure can be performed on silicone and saline implants.
A common reason for explantation surgery is for a woman who has suffered from capsular contracture, which is scar tissue that forms around the implant and can cause pain, discomfort and disfigurement. A capsular contracture is often the result of bacteria getting into the implant. Patients may also suffer from pain, rashes, lumps or even neurological problems after receiving breast implants.
The FDA recommends that patients who have symptoms of illness or discomfort should have their implants removed and replaced.
Explantation surgery follows the same basic steps as an original breast implant surgery, although it may be less invasive because there is no incision required to insert an implant.
Here are the basic steps:
An incision is made where the original incision was made, or next to it if possible. This is done by making a clean cut around the skin at the bottom of each breast.
Once opened up, the scar tissue capsule is removed and then both breasts are examined for any other abnormalities such as cysts or additional scar tissue formation.
Breast implant removal surgery is often necessary for women who have been diagnosed with breast implant illness or who suffer from symptoms associated with breast implants.
The most common symptoms of breast implant illness include:
Aches and pains
Chronic fatigue
Shortness of breath
Fevers, chills, sweats
Rashes and skin problems
Hair loss and thinning hair
Headaches
Brain fog and memory loss
Dry eyes, blurred vision, floaters
Night sweats, hot flashes, night chills
Anxiety and depression
Digestive issues and food sensitivities
Please consider the following:
The implants are inserted through a small incision and placed in a pocket either directly behind your breast tissue or under your chest muscle.
The implant may be inserted empty and then filled with saline once it has been placed in the pocket, or it may be pre-filled with silicone gel.
Implants come in different sizes, profiles and shapes. These will be discussed with you at your consultation.
The incisions for implant placement can be done in a variety of locations:
In the crease of your breast (inframammary)
Around your areola (periareolar)
In your armpit (transaxillary)
Through an incision in your navel (transumbilical)
How do Breasts Look After Explant Surgery?
Breast implants are among the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States. In 2014, more than 750,000 women had breast implants for breast augmentation, and more than 300,000 women had breast augmentation to boost their cleavage.
Although there’s no way to tell for sure without a medical record, it’s safe to assume that thousands of women who’ve had breast implants will look back on them at some point in their lives and wonder: How do breasts look after explant surgery?
Breast augmentation is one type of reconstructive surgery typically performed on women whose breasts have been removed or mutilated as a result of cancer treatment. The procedure involves replacing missing breast tissue with synthetic material, such as silicone gel or saline-filled capsules.
The benefits of breast implants are obvious — they provide an immediate return on a cosmetic procedure performed in a doctor’s office. But it’s impossible to compare the physical appearance of the breasts that were once there with those that have been surgically augmented.
Breast implants can have a number of different chemical compositions and deliver different amounts of physical stimulation to the recipient’s nerves. It’s impossible to know exactly what they looked like before they were implanted, so comparing them to natural breasts is like comparing an apple to
Breast implants are delicate surgical procedures that involve cutting open a woman’s body. Implants can be made of silicone, saline, or other materials (like the “gummy bear” breast implants) and are generally used to augment a woman’s breasts after she has had children.
Breast implants have come under fire recently because of the health risks associated with them. In particular, many women who have the procedure report that their breasts develop lumps or become oddly shaped over time.
In this video, Dr. Michael Borenstein answers a question about how breasts look after explant surgery:
Explant surgery is a common, and sometimes necessary procedure, for women who have developed breast cancer. It involves removing the cancerous tissue from the breast, and stitching it back into place so you can undergo radiation or chemotherapy treatment.
Breast surgery isn’t for everyone — some patients have told us that they felt more comfortable with a more natural shape. But for other women, it’s a lifesaver.
To learn more about what to expect from explant surgery, see this article.
Breast implants are a popular choice for women who want to increase their bust size. For some, having a larger bust can be a deal-clincher in finding love. But if you’ve had one too many problems with your implants — and the surgeon doesn’t have your best interests at hand — that decision might turn out to be the wrong one.
Breast implants — which are silicone or saline balloons that are inserted under the skin of the breast — can cause serious problems, including ruptures and infections. And those problems don’t always go away on their own.
The most common side effect after surgery is pain. That’s easier to deal with than it sounds; it’s not uncommon for people to feel better after a few weeks. But some women will get sicker, and others will develop incisions that never heal properly.
Another common problem is capsular contracture, or hardening of the implant below the skin due to scar tissue forming around it. Some women will experience this even years after surgery. In these cases, the implant can become bigger than it was when placed, though there’s no way of getting it back down to its original size. These complications can lead to more serious issues: The implant can rupture inside the body — causing internal
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures done in the United States. Breast augmentation surgery is so popular because it can enhance a woman’s self-esteem and improve her appearance, though the procedure comes with its own risks.
Many women are choosing breast enhancement surgery because they feel they need to look better; others choose to have the procedure done to make them feel more confident, or to increase their bust size and improve their overall appearance and health.
Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure that involves using an incision in a particular location on your chest. First, doctors cut through your skin and muscle to create a pocket where they can insert implants. The implant will rest in this pocket, enlarging your breasts. The incision may be closed with stitches, but it can also be left open until healed completely. As with other plastic surgery procedures, you’ll have some swelling, bruising and pain afterward — you may even feel feverish for a few days — but this should subside shortly after your healing process begins.
The effect on your breasts will depend on how many implants are used, how big they are and which type of implant material you use . In general, if you’re considering breast augmentation surgery, it’s best to consult with
Breast implant surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States. In fact, in 2015, more than 350,000 breast augmentation surgeries were performed in the U.S. alone .
Breast implants are typically placed through an incision made on the underside of the breast, below the nipple. If a breast implant is placed through this route, it’s called an “incisional procedure.” If it’s placed through an incision made to one side of the breast, it’s called a “peri-areolar incision.”
Today, there are several types of breast implants available that have different shapes and sizes. Some of these include:
a) Smooth-surfaced silicone gel implant
b) Textured silicone gel implant
c) Calcium polyethylene terephthalate (CaPET) smooth-surface silicone gel implant
d) Natural breast prostheses (NBPs) made from pig tissue or cowhide
e) Silicone gel implants that are either textured or smooth; these are sometimes referred to as “titanium” or “gummy bear” implants
f) Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) smooth-surfaced implants that contain no polyethylene glycol (
Breast implants are a common procedure, but it’s one of the most dangerous plastic surgeries performed in the world. It’s also one that’s been done for hundreds of years — from ancient Egypt to Greece and Rome. The procedure was so controversial that it wasn’t performed without anesthesia until just over a hundred years ago.
Breast implants have advanced since their first use, with more sophisticated materials and more precise placement now available. Until the late 1990s, they were made mostly of silicone, which can migrate into surrounding tissue and cause problems. But newer materials like polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), the same material used to make dental fillings stronger, are nearly impervious to migration.
What Happens After Explant Surgery?
Explant surgery is a pretty simple procedure. The surgeon simply takes the implant out, cuts around the scar tissue, or capsular contracture, and removes that as well. The area is then closed back up, and you head on home to heal.
What happens after explant surgery? What should you expect? Is there anything you can do to make the experience better?
Once you’ve decided to have your implants removed, it can be difficult to know what to expect. What will the recovery process be like? How long will it last? How should you prepare for surgery? Below are some of the most common questions we hear from patients, along with answers from Dr. Pousti.
How should I prepare for my explant surgery?
The first step is to meet with Dr. Pousti and discuss your goals for the procedure. Once you’ve agreed on a treatment plan, he can give you a better idea of what to expect after surgery.
In general, Dr. Pousti recommends that patients avoid medications like aspirin and ibuprofen in the weeks leading up to their procedure. These drugs can increase the risk of bleeding and may interfere with healing. It’s also important to stop smoking at least two weeks before your scheduled surgery date. Smoking constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the skin, which can impair the healing process and lead to complications during recovery.
What is recovery like after explant surgery?
Like any surgical procedure, recovery after explant surgery can vary depending on the patient and how extensive their procedure was. Patients who undergo large-scale breast reconstruction may
If you have already had your explant surgery and are wondering what to do next, this post is for you. Explant is just the beginning of your healing journey. It is not the end of breast implant illness (BII). You must also detox from all the harmful chemicals that have accumulated in your body from years of having toxic foreign objects implanted inside your body.
The symptoms of BII vary from person to person, but it is important to note that some people experience a flare up of symptoms a few weeks after their explant surgery. This is called a “Herxheimer Reaction” or “Herxing” for short. When you explant, you release toxins and chemicals into your body that need to be cleaned out. Some people are more sensitive than others, so they will experience more herxing symptoms. Usually these symptoms go away after a few weeks, as long as you are taking good care of yourself by eating well and drinking lots of water.
Examples of Herxheimer Symptoms include: fatigue, brain fog, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, frequent urination, fever and chills, increased joint pain and muscle aches, difficulty sleeping, irritability and mood swings.
You can help reduce the severity of
After explant surgery it is normal to have discomfort and swelling for a few days and then gradually improve. If your pain is severe or increasing, if you run a fever, or if you notice redness, warmth or drainage from the incisions, call your surgeon.
If you have drains, your surgeon will teach you how to empty them at home. You’ll also receive instructions about caring for the surgical sites and medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
After explant surgery, you will be monitored in the facility for a few hours. You may stay overnight if you have other surgeries or procedures done at the same time.
If you have general anesthesia, you might feel nauseated when you wake up. This is expected and normal after most surgeries.
Pain medication will be available to help you manage any discomfort. Most people say that their pain levels are similar to what they experienced after breast augmentation surgery.
It is important to note that there is no drainage tube placed during this procedure as there is nothing to drain. A surgical bra will be provided by your surgeon to offer support and protection following your procedure until your incisions are fully healed.
Your surgeon will give specific instructions on how to care for your incisions, and what medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection. If a drain was used, the surgeon might recommend keeping it in place for a few days until fluids stop accumulating in the empty breast pockets.
It’s important to mention that the purpose of this post is to raise awareness of breast implant illness and to provide information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms or concerns, please consult with your doctor.
What is explant surgery?
A growing number of women are choosing explant surgery — sometimes referred to as removal surgery — for a variety of reasons. These include pain, illness, ruptured implants, autoimmune disorders and more. Explant surgery involves removal of the breast implants and the scar tissue that usually forms around the implant called the capsule. Many women find relief from their symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, joint and muscle pain, brain fog and others after explanting their implants. For some women, these symptoms can be debilitating.
The best way to get through it is to take it one day at a time, keep yourself hydrated and nourished, and be gentle with yourself both physically and emotionally. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by what you’ve been through and by your recovery process. There is no set recovery time for everyone as every woman’s body is different in how it heals from surgery. This is just a guide from my own experience as well as from other women who have shared their stories on social media and forums such as Facebook groups dedicated
Advocates say that women who have had breast implants can experience a range of symptoms, and the only way to get rid of them is by having the implants removed.The symptoms are collectively known as “breast implant illness.” But according to studies, there’s no evidence to support that having the implants taken out will make those symptoms go away.
Breast implant illness has no one clear cause, but there is a list of symptoms associated with it: fatigue, brain fog, joint pain and hair loss.
The FDA has received more than 350 reports of deaths in women with breast implants over the past 30 years. The FDA also says that there is no evidence linking breast implant illness to any of those deaths. As a result, it says explant surgery should be reserved for women who experience serious complications from their implants.