Is Breast Explant Surgery Right for You?

What is breast explant surgery? It is the removal of breast implants, a procedure more patients are exploring for health, comfort, or personal reasons.

For some, the idea brings relief. For others, it raises questions about appearance, comfort, and the recovery process. These feelings are normal, and they deserve to be heard.

Dr. Cassileth has years of experience guiding patients through this choice. Her focus is on safety, natural results, and care that reflects your priorities.

What Is Breast Explant Surgery?

Breast explant surgery is the removal of your breast implants. Patients consider this procedure for many reasons: changes in health, lifestyle, or concerns such as breast implant illness.

Some feel ready to return to a natural appearance.

There are different ways the surgery can be performed. Implants may be removed alone, or the surrounding capsule of scar tissue can be taken out at the same time through en bloc capsulectomy.

In some cases, a breast lift or fat transfer may be added to support the shape and balance.

It is natural to wonder, ” What will my breasts look like after explant surgery?” That answer typically depends on your body, your goals, and a surgical plan designed specifically for you.

Reasons Patients Choose Explant Surgery

Patients consider explant surgery for many personal reasons.

Health, comfort, and lifestyle goals often guide the decision, with safety and well-being always at the center.

Health and Wellness Considerations

Peace of mind is a vital component of overall wellness. Many patients choose implant removal when capsular contracture makes hugging or side-sleeping uncomfortable. Others seek evaluation for possible rupture or want to see whether unexplained symptoms improve.

All of these reasons are valid.

Consultations are structured for clear decisions. The team reviews medical history, medications, and goals, explains findings, and outlines options.

When surgery is appropriate, plans may include removal alone or removal with a lift to support shape.

Expected benefits:

• Reduced tightness and discomfort.
• More stable breast shape over time.
• A clearer understanding of overall health.
• Step-by-step plan with recovery timeline.

By the 1-year mark, 88% of patients who had systemic symptoms reported at least partial improvement following explantation according to the ASERF prospective cohort study.

Aesthetic and Lifestyle Motivations

A natural look can be appropriate at a new stage of life. A more relaxed silhouette that slides into clothes easily and maintains its balance at the gym, office, and on weekends.

You may want less projection and a shape that fits your frame.

Options to discuss:

• Removal only for a clean, effortless look.
• Removal with a lift to enhance position and symmetry.
• Natural fat transfer using your own tissue to achieve a smooth, natural contour.

The aim is to feel confident in any environment, make fewer choices regarding necklines and bras, and maintain a natural look that fits your frame.

The Breast Explant Surgery Process—Step by Step

Breast explant with Dr. Cassileth follows a clear path: consultation, imaging, a tailored plan, and supported recovery. Each step organizes decisions and keeps care focused from consultation to healing.

Consultation and Personalized Evaluation

This appointment is intended to eliminate guesswork. You test what matters most, whether it be a natural look or workout comfort. The test examines the position of implants, skin tension, and points of tenderness.

Imaging is organized when necessary to answer certain questions and make decisions.

The team considers options such as removal only, removal with lift, or combining fat transfer with other procedures. You receive probable schedules for recovery, including when to start working, exercising, and treating the scars.

You’ll leave with a clear, written checklist: when to pause nicotine, which medications to adjust, and the exact support bra to wear. It lays out each step so you’re ready to move forward.

The Explant Procedure

On surgery day, your surgeon reviews the plan, addresses any final questions, and completes the preoperative markings. You also meet the anesthesiologist to go over the anesthesia and monitoring. Most procedures use general anesthesia, so you’re asleep, pain-free, and safely watched throughout.

Incisions are made on former scars or on existing crevices of the breast to allow discreet healing.

The implant is removed, and the capsule, which is the scar tissue surrounding the implant, is treated. This may be a partial or complete capsulectomy depending on the findings and objectives. The pocket is irrigated, bleeding points are sealed, and layers are closed to shape the breast.

A drain can be applied where there is a greater risk of fluids.

Recovery and Aftercare

Expect steady progress. Soreness peaks early, then improves with a set pain management plan and gentle movement. Incisions need to stay clean and dry, so avoid showering until your doctor tells you it’s ok to do so.

A supportive, non-underwire bra controls swelling for several weeks.

Walking is encouraged right away. Driving and desk work often resume within one to two weeks, depending on individual comfort and the use of medications.

Strenuous exercise, swimming, and heavy lifting should be avoided until cleared, often at four to six weeks. Cleveland Clinic notes that tenderness or soreness can last up to six weeks, and drains are commonly removed within a few days, sometimes up to 10 days.

What Will My Breasts Look Like After Explant Surgery?

Most patients return to a shape that fits their frame. Expect less projection and a softer outline. Some volume loss and mild laxity are common early on as tissues settle.

• Expect early on: softer contour, reduced upper fullness, mild looseness that improves with time.
• Options to refine: breast lift to improve position; targeted fat transfer for balanced fullness.
• Scar care: start early to help lines fade and blend with the surrounding skin.
• Consultation focus: review photos from similar cases, discuss bra fit and neckline goals, and map a plan that fits daily life.
• Outlook: confidence usually builds as swelling settles and routines resume, supported by regular check-ins with the team.

This approach maintains realistic expectations while providing clear, practical guidance on shaping the final result.

Choosing the Right Surgeon for Your Breast Explant

Selecting a knowledgeable surgeon is crucial to ensuring optimal outcomes and a successful recovery. Check board certification in plastic surgery and a consistent track record of explant and revision surgeries.

Experience directs incision placement, capsule handling, and scar care.

Ask to see:

• The number of cases in the last year, along with before and after photos that are similar to your body type.
• The anesthesia plan, safety checks, and follow-ups.
• How frequently is removal combined with a lift or fat transfer?
• How complications are handled and who you call after hours.

Dr. Cassileth’s method pairs aesthetic goals with tissue health and safety at every step. You get realistic expectations, a written plan, and support from the first visit to the last check-in.

What to Expect After Breast Implant Removal

The majority of patients regain a shape similar to their frame, with less projection and a gentler contour. Early laxity and diminished upper fullness are common as tissues settle.

Options to refine results include a breast lift to improve position and fat transfer to restore subtle fullness, while early scar care with silicone and sun protection supports smoother fading.

The approach utilized by Dr. Cassileth balances aesthetic intentions with tissue health and safety at each stage. You are provided with reasonable expectations, a plan, and assistance during your initial visit to your last check-in. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Cassileth to develop an individualized approach tailored to your needs.

FAQs

How do I know if I need explant surgery?

Consider consulting a specialist when implants cause pain, tightness, shape changes, or confirmed rupture.

Ongoing rashes, fatigue, or new asymmetry also warrant evaluation. A focused exam and imaging, when needed, clarify options. The decision is personal and guided by comfort, health priorities, and desired aesthetic goals.

Will Insurance cover the procedure?

Coverage varies.

Plans may be helpful when an explant is medically necessary, such as in cases of documented rupture, infection, or severe capsular contracture. Cosmetic goals alone are usually not covered. Contact the insurer, review the policy language, and bring the necessary documentation.

The clinic can provide codes and notes to support preauthorization or appeals when appropriate.

Is explant surgery safe?

Explant is typically performed by board-certified plastic surgeons with a proven track record of safety. All surgery carries risk, including bleeding, infection, or anesthesia issues.

A thorough health review and an experienced post-operative care team help reduce complications.

Can my breasts look natural after explant?

Yes. Results depend on skin elasticity, implant size, and the time the implant is in place. Many patients choose a lift for position and symmetry, or fat transfer for subtle fullness. Early scar care supports softer, less visible lines.

What is the timeline from surgery to full recovery?

Most patients walk the same day and return to desk work within one to two weeks, while high-impact exercise usually resumes at four to six weeks with your surgeon’s clearance. Swelling typically subsides over several months, and scars usually mature and fade within six to twelve months.