Breast implant removal surgery, also known as explant surgery, is a procedure to surgically remove breast implants that were placed in a previous operation. Performed under general anaesthetic, it may also involve addressing the surrounding scar tissue, depending on the individual’s anatomy and clinical needs. Patients consider this procedure for a range of personal, medical, and lifestyle reasons.
Why Do Patients Consider Explant Surgery?
There’s no single reason a patient decides to have their implants removed. The decision is often personal and can be influenced by a range of factors. Some patients develop complications over time, such as capsular contracture, where the scar tissue (capsule) that naturally forms around an implant hardens and tightens, causing discomfort, changes in breast shape, or firmness. Implant rupture or deflation is another reason some patients seek removal.
Others choose to return to their natural breast profile. Personal preferences change over time, and some patients who had augmentation mammoplasty (breast implant surgery) years ago no longer want to have implants. Some find that implants no longer align with their current lifestyle or physical activity levels.
Concerns about health problems that might be related to implants have led some patients to ask about removal. Some patients report a group of symptoms they link to their implants, sometimes called Breast Implant Illness (BII). Research into BII is still in progress, and what is known so far is limited, but these concerns can be talked through in detail at a consultation. Breast implants are also not regarded as lifetime devices, and in some cases, removal or replacement is discussed as implants get older.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
The breast implant removal procedure varies depending on what is considered appropriate after medical assessment. Simple explantation involves removing the implant while leaving the surrounding capsule of scar tissue in place, and may be considered when the capsule is thin and healthy. Explantation with capsulectomy involves removing the implant along with the capsule, either partially or fully, and may be recommended in certain situations.
En bloc resection is a more complex approach where the implant and capsule are removed together as a single intact unit. This is not always required, but may be discussed as an option depending on the patient’s circumstances.
The incisions used often follow the same scar lines from the original augmentation. The most appropriate surgical approach is determined at consultation, based on each patient’s individual anatomy and history.
Will the Breast Look Different After the Implants Are Removed?
The breast will look different once implants are removed. How much it changes depends on several factors, including the size of the original implants, how long they have been in place, how much natural breast tissue is present, the elasticity of the skin, and whether there have been changes such as pregnancy or weight gain or loss since the first surgery.
Some patients proceed with removal alone, without any additional procedure to address the breast shape. Others choose to have a breast lift (mastopexy) performed at the same time or as a separate procedure to address any change in breast position or excess skin.
This is a decision made at consultation based on what the patient wants and what is clinically appropriate. A consultation is the appropriate step for discussing what to expect before proceeding.
What Is the Recovery Process Like?
Recovery varies from patient to patient. Patients can expect some soreness, swelling, and bruising in the days following surgery.
Light activities are often reintroduced gradually in the early weeks, while more strenuous exercise is usually delayed for around four to six weeks, depending on individual recovery. Post-operative instructions should be followed closely, as they are tailored to the procedure performed and how healing is progressing.
Post-operative appointments form part of the ongoing care process. Monitoring healing and addressing any concerns that arise is an important aspect of post-surgical management.
Are There Any Risks to Be Aware Of?
Explant surgery has risks. These can include bleeding, infection, scarring, differences in breast shape or size, and changes in nipple or breast sensation. Fluid (seroma) or blood (haematoma) can sometimes collect in the space where the implant was, and this may need treatment such as drainage or, in some cases, another procedure.
When a capsulectomy is performed, the procedure is usually more extensive than removing the implant alone. The capsule can be closely attached to nearby structures, including the chest wall, which can make removal more complex. This is taken into account when planning the procedure and when potential risks are explained.
Anaesthetic-related risks apply as they would with any procedure performed under general anaesthetic, and these are discussed prior to surgery. The decision to proceed should always be made with a full understanding of the risks involved, and a pre-operative consultation is the appropriate time to work through these in detail.
Why Choose Dr Philip Richardson for a Breast Implant Removal Procedure in Brisbane
Dr Philip Richardson is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). With over 22 years of experience as a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon and more than 9,000 breast procedures performed, Dr Richardson has extensive experience in this area.
Explant procedures, especially those that include capsulectomy or complex revision surgery, need a detailed understanding of breast anatomy and how tissue changes after implants have been in place for some time. Dr Richardson has experience in revision breast surgery, and consultations include an assessment of the implant, the surrounding tissue, and the options that may be suitable in each individual case. He follows recognised measures to reduce implant contamination, including the 14-point plan, as part of an evidence-based approach to surgery.
At Brisbane Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, Dr Richardson takes time during the consultation to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals before making any surgical recommendations, including for breast implant removal surgery. Long-term patient care is a focus of the practice, from the initial consultation through to post-operative follow-up. Each patient’s circumstances are assessed individually, with the surgical approach based on clinical findings and the person’s specific anatomy and history.
