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Overview

Breast explant surgery, also known as implant removal surgery, is a procedure that involves completely removing an existing breast implant. There are several reasons why someone may want to remove breast implants. Concerns with pain or discomfort, implant deformities due to physical activity, implant-related health concerns such as skin cancer or lymphoma, or simply aesthetic preferences are all common reasons for breast explant surgery. Whether removal is for cosmetic reasons or a medical necessity, it is important to discuss your aesthetic goals and desired results with your surgeon.

Summary

Procedure time
1 to 3 hours
8062749
Overnight stay
Not required
Anesthetic
Anesthetic
General
Recovery time
Recovery time
3-5 days

Types of Breast Explant & Revision Surgery

Cosmetic Correction

When breast reconstruction patients have complications from implants or are unhappy with their cosmetic results, it can be an emotionally taxing experience. There are a few different advanced reconstruction options available for those who wish to correct their implants to meet their expectations.

Reconstructive Correction

After undergoing breast reconstruction for medical reasons like cancer, there are instances where revision or removal surgery might be necessary. Some patients may experience capsular contracture (when the scar tissue around the implant tightens), implant rupture, or even infection, making it medically necessary to have corrective surgery. Alternatively, some patients may simply want to change the size or shape of their breasts for personal reasons. Reconstructive correction surgery can help alleviate discomfort and improve the aesthetic appearance of the reconstructed breast. 

Explant Surgery

Breast explant surgery completely removes the existing breast implant from the breast area. This is an option for those who wish to completely remove their implants rather than correcting their placement. 

En Bloc Capsulectomy

En bloc capsulectomy is an advanced procedure that removes the scar tissue surrounding the implant with the implant enclosed inside of it. Removing the implant and scar tissue together in one piece prevents the implant material from interfering with the normal tissue left behind. This helps minimize the risk of implant contamination or implant-related issues, creating a fresh surgical site for the new implants. It also allows for potentially improved aesthetic outcomes.

Cosmetic or Reconstructive Breast Replacement Surgery

Breast removal surgery can be performed with or without additional procedures, depending on the condition of the breast tissue. Breast replacement surgery aims to achieve the aesthetic outcome desired by the patient by lifting, reconstructing, or reshaping the breast. At the Plastic Surgery Center, we offer the most advanced breast reconstruction procedures to help restore comfort and confidence, including:

  • DIEP flaps use your own tissue and blood vessels from the abdomen to reshape your breasts after removal surgery.
  • Breast Lifts remove excess skin to lift and reshape the breasts.
  • Nipple Reconstruction helps restore the look of your nipples and areolas if they were compromised during breast removal surgery. 
Am I a

Candidate for Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Our highly-skilled team of plastic surgeons are world-renowned and trained to perform the most advanced cosmetic procedures available. Transformation awaits. Contact us to begin your breast restoration journey.

Surgeon-meeting-with-patient

Consultation

Our highly-skilled team of plastic surgeons are world-renowned and trained to perform the most advanced cosmetic procedures available. Transformation awaits. Contact us to begin your breast restoration journey.

Questions
about this procedure?

What to Expect

Breast explant surgery involves making an incision, usually around the lower half of the breast crease or around the nipple. Inframammary incisions cut along the bottom of the breast below the mammary glands, transaxillary incisions cut under the arm near your armpit, and periareolar incisions cut around the nipple. After making the incision, your surgeon will then access the implant pocket through the incision and carefully detach any surrounding scar tissue to remove the implant completely.

After removing the implants, your surgeon will thoroughly irrigate the pockets to eliminate any bacteria or debris. If you have capsular contracture, that excess scar tissue will also be removed at this time.

 

 The surgeon will then close the incisions with absorbable sutures in the breast crease folds so visibility of the resulting scar is minimized. Inserting a drain for a short period may also help reduce fluid build-up as you heal.

The surgery takes 1-2 hours depending on if it is an en bloc removal or a total capsulectomy. You can expect some post-operative pain and swelling that is manageable with medication. Most patients feel ready to return to their daily activities within a few days. However, you should avoid strenuous activity for 2-4 weeks to allow your incisions time to fully close. Over several months, any residual pain or strange sensations from your implants should gradually subside. 

Recovery &
Results

Recovery for breast explant surgery is usually quicker than the original augmentation or implant placement. Patients can generally return to desk work and light activity within 3-5 days, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 2-4 weeks post-op.
Swelling and soreness around the breasts is common and usually resolves within a few weeks.

Once healed, the patient’s breasts should resemble their natural appearance without implants. Breasts will likely be smaller and fall to a lower, natural position on the chest. Visible scarring should be minimal, hidden inside the breast crease.

Our

New Jersey Surgeons

Our team of surgeons have more than 100 years of combined experience performing plastic reconstructive surgery. We pride ourselves on being one of the few facilities in the world with the training and experience to offer cutting-edge cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. We are dedicated to elevating our care so we can do what matters most – changing patients’ lives.

Get to know our team of specialized surgeons:

Hamid Abdollahi
PHYSICIAN

Hamid Abdollahi

MD, FACS
Russell Ashinoff
PHYSICIAN

Russell Ashinoff

MD, FACS
Eric I.  Chang
PHYSICIAN

Eric I. Chang

MD, FACS
Kari L.  Colen
PHYSICIAN

Kari L. Colen

MD, FACS
Stephen Dudick
PHYSICIAN

Stephen Dudick

MD
Ritwik Grover
PHYSICIAN

Ritwik Grover

MD
Sean Herman
PHYSICIAN

Sean Herman

MD, FACS
Zuhaib Ibrahim
PHYSICIAN

Zuhaib Ibrahim

MD, FACS
Matthew  Kaufman
PHYSICIAN

Matthew Kaufman

MD, FACS
Chris Lakhiani
PHYSICIAN

Chris Lakhiani

MD
Matthew Lynch
PHYSICIAN

Matthew Lynch

MD
Ahmed Nasser
PHYSICIAN

Ahmed Nasser

MD
Robert T. Nevitt III
PHYSICIAN

Robert T. Nevitt III

MD
Tushar Patel
PHYSICIAN

Tushar Patel

MD, FACS
Sidney Rabinowitz
PHYSICIAN

Sidney Rabinowitz

MD, FACS
David Rayfield
PHYSICIAN

David Rayfield

MD
Michael Rose
PHYSICIAN

Michael Rose

MD, FACS
Adam Saad
PHYSICIAN

Adam Saad

MD, FACS
Tzvi Small
PHYSICIAN

Tzvi Small

MD, FACS
Hakan Usal
PHYSICIAN

Hakan Usal

MD
Eric Wimmers
PHYSICIAN

Eric Wimmers

MD, FACS

Financing & Insurance

Depending on the medical necessity of breast explant surgery, the procedure might not be covered by insurance. There are some cases where it may be covered by insurance – for example, if your implants are causing significant pain or discomfort or are putting you at risk of infection. Our team will work with you and your health insurer to obtain the approvals for your covered surgical procedures. If you want to learn more about our cosmetic and reconstructive surgery options, please contact us today at 833-615-2621.

Our Process

01
schedule
Schedule a Consultation

During your consultation, our expert surgeons will work with you to fully understand the look you wish to achieve and help you prepare for your breast explant surgery procedure.

02
explore-options
Explore
Your Options

We will review and explain the different procedure options and identify which is right for you.

03
transforamation
Start Your Transformation

Our friendly and compassionate staff and physicians will guide you through the entire process, answer all of your questions and alleviate any concerns.

Filter By States
Map of Locations

Breast Augmentation Surgery Near NJ

Shrewsbury 535 Sycamore Ave Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
Flemington 194 NJ-31, Pavilion 2, Suite 102 Flemington, NJ 08822
Hackettstown 57 Route 46E, Suite 201 Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Lehigh Valley 1401 Fairmont Street Whitehall, PA 18052
Montclair 1 Bay Avenue, Suite 4 Montclair , NJ 07028
Phoenixville 826 Main Street, Suite 203 Phoenixville, PA 19460
Brick 74 Brick Boulevard, Building 4, Suite 205 Brick, NJ 08723
East Brunswick 192 Summer Hill Rd, Suite 201 East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Florham Park 83 Hanover Road, Suite 260 Florham Park, NJ 07932
Hopewell 2 Capital Way , Suite 390, 3rd Floor Hopewell, NJ 08534
New York City 635 Madison Ave, 14th Floor New York City , NY 10022
Bridgewater-Greymark 1200 US Route 22 East, Suite 19 Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Edison 102 James Street, Suite 202 Edison, NJ 08820
Freehold 3499 Route 9 North, Building 2, Suite 2C-2 Freehold, NJ 07728
Egg Harbor Township 4096 English Creek Ave Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Hackensack 20 Prospect Ave, Suite 903, 9th Floor Hackensack, NJ 07601
Montgomery 700 W Germantown Pike, Suite 200 Montgomery, PA 19401
Union 950 West Chestnut St, Suite 102 Union, NJ 07083
Marlton 11 Eves Drive, Suite 170 Marlton, NJ 08053
Linwood 222 New Road, Suite 6 Linwood, NJ 08221
Abington 2701 Blair Mill Road, Suite 10 Willow Grove, PA 19090
East Windsor 300B Princeton-Hightstown Road, #101 East Windsor, NJ 08512
Westwood 260 Old Hook Rd, Suite 304 Westwood, NJ 07675

Financing & Insurance

Plastic surgery is an investment. Our dedicated staff is happy to help patientsnavigate insurance coverage and understand the costs and financing of care.

Financing Insurance-min

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