Breast Implant Removal (Explant)

Expert Care for Explant Surgery

Our Torrance, California, plastic surgeons are highly experienced in breast implant removal and ensure that your procedure produces the physical and emotional outcome you’re seeking.

Why Do Patients Remove Their Breast Implants?

Saline and silicone gel implants are not lifetime devices and need to be either replaced or removed at some point. Typically, women who pursue explant surgery cite complications or concerns about possible side effects as driving their decision.

These reasons for seeking implant removal may include:

• Implant leak or rupture
• Infection or inflammation
• Concerns about BIA-ALCL (breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma), a rare cancer of the capsule, not the breast, that has been linked to some textured implants.
• Experiencing symptoms that they may associate with their breast implants, such as fatigue, chest pain, headaches, chronic pain, brain fog, and hair loss. While not a medical diagnosis, this array of conditions is informally called breast implant illness (BII).

However, complications aren’t the only reason patients get their implants removed. Lifestyle changes and age can also cause a patient to re-evaluate whether they want to have breast implants.

How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost?

The cost of explant surgery will depend on the complexity of your procedure, particularly if you have developed capsular contracture or if your implants are structurally compromised. While we provide a general estimate on our Pricing page, we can only give an accurate quote after a personal consultation with one of our breast surgery specialists.

Breast implant removal (like breast augmentation revision) is more technically demanding than the initial augmentation procedure. The cost is often higher as a result; however, we do offer flexible financing options to eligible patients.

How Is Breast Implant Removal Performed?

Our plastic surgeons perform breast implant removal as an outpatient procedure using a general anesthetic. Whenever possible, they use the incision location from your original breast augmentation procedure to avoid additional scarring. The specific techniques they use for your explant procedure will depend on why you are having your implants removed and the physical condition of your breasts.

Removing the implant and the entire capsule of scar tissue surrounding it in one piece—called an en bloc resection—is typically reserved for severe cases and when there is a medically valid concern about breast cancer.

More commonly, plastic surgeons remove the implant and capsule separately, allowing for a smaller incision and scar. In some circumstances, part of the capsule may be left in place to minimize the risk involved. Our surgeons will discuss your options with you and select the most appropriate technique for your situation.

Can Explant Surgery Be Combined With Other Procedures?

Many patients choose to combine their breast implant removal with other procedures to enhance the overall results and address additional aesthetic concerns. A breast lift is commonly performed alongside explant surgery to reshape and elevate the breasts, especially if significant sagging has occurred.

Fat transfer is another popular choice. During this procedure, your surgeon collects fat from another area of the body via liposuction and then injects it into the breasts to restore volume and improve the breast contour naturally. Combining procedures can streamline your recovery and provide comprehensive improvements in a single surgical session.