There are plenty of reasons to feel ready for life without breast implants. Your implants may no longer suit your body or aesthetic preferences. You may be experiencing breast pain, capsular contracture, an implant rupture, or physical symptoms you believe could be implant-related. Whatever brought you here, the decision deserves a thoughtful conversation that takes both your health and your desired breast shape seriously.
At Nazarian Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian approaches breast explant surgery with attention to the implant, surrounding tissue, and the breast that will remain. She creates a personalized treatment plan based on your implant type, surgical history, breast skin, capsule tissue, and goals. The operation may involve implant removal alone, a capsulectomy, a breast lift, fat transfer, or a combination planned for you.
Breast explant surgery is the surgical removal of existing breast implants without placing new implants. The procedure is also called breast implant removal surgery or explantation.
Every implant naturally develops a layer of scar tissue around it called a capsule. It does not always need to be removed. Depending on the implant and surrounding scar tissue, Dr. Nazarian may recommend removing the implant alone, part of the capsule, or the entire capsule. The approach is determined during evaluation rather than applied automatically.
Removing implants changes the volume supporting the breast skin. Implant size, time since augmentation, pregnancy, aging, weight changes, and natural tissue all affect the appearance afterward.
Many women pursue breast implant removal because their preferences have changed. A breast size that once felt right may now feel too prominent or heavy. Others want to avoid future implant maintenance or return to their natural tissue.
Implant complications can include capsular contracture, rupture or deflation, breast pain, displacement, rippling, asymmetry, or infection. Silicone ruptures may be difficult to detect without imaging because the gel can remain inside the capsule. Dr. Nazarian reviews available implant records and imaging and may recommend further evaluation.
Patients with textured implants may have questions about breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL. Persistent swelling, a new fluid collection, a mass, pain, or another significant change should be evaluated before surgery because the findings can alter the surgical plan.
Breast implant illness, often shortened to BII, is a term used for systemic symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, joint or muscle discomfort, hair loss, and rashes reported after receiving implants. These experiences are real, but BII is not defined by one diagnostic test, and researchers have not established one cause.
Some patients report improvement after their breast implants are removed; others experience partial improvement, no change, or continued symptoms. Explant surgery cannot promise that systemic symptoms will resolve. Evaluation should consider the implants and other possible causes.
Your treatment plan reflects the findings in your breasts, your health history, and the benefits and risks of each option.
The language surrounding explant surgery can be confusing. These procedures are related, but they are not interchangeable.
Implant removal alone removes the device while leaving some or all of a normal capsule in place. It requires less dissection when there is no reason to remove the capsule.
A partial capsulectomy removes selected capsule tissue. A total capsulectomy removes the entire capsule, although the implant and scar tissue may come out separately. Capsulectomy may be considered for significant contracture, silicone rupture, abnormal findings, or other clinical indications. Complete removal may not be safe when tissue is tightly attached to the ribs or chest muscle.
En bloc resection has a specific oncologic meaning: removal of the implant and capsule together with a margin of unaffected tissue. It is reserved for suspected or established breast implant-associated cancer after an appropriate medical workup. It is not a routine requirement for breast implant illness BII or uncomplicated implant removal.
More extensive surgery can mean a longer incision, greater bleeding risk, changes to nearby tissue, and a more involved recovery. Dr. Nazarian addresses the clinical problem without adding unnecessary dissection.
You may be a candidate if you want your implants removed or are experiencing complications. Candidates should be healthy enough for anesthesia and prepared for the breast size and skin changes that can follow.
Dr. Nazarian reviews your implant card, if available, previous incision locations, surgical history, symptoms, medications, imaging, and aesthetic goals. She examines the breast tissue, skin elasticity, nipple position, implant placement, and capsule. Suspected rupture, infection, fluid, or another abnormal finding may require testing before surgery.
Breast explant surgery is typically an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. When possible, Dr. Nazarian uses the original breast augmentation incisions to minimize additional scarring. A different incision may be needed for extensive capsule removal, migrated silicone, or a breast lift.
She removes the implant and performs the planned capsule treatment. Ruptured material is removed as thoroughly and safely as possible. Fluid or concerning tissue may be sent for evaluation. The pocket is inspected and closed. Drains may be used when fluid accumulation is a concern.
Some breasts contract into a pleasing natural shape after removal. Others have excess skin, a lower nipple position, reduced upper fullness, or a deflated contour. The recommendation depends on tissue quality and your priorities.
A breast lift removes excess skin, reshapes the breast, and raises the nipple. It can be performed during explant surgery or after the tissue settles. Because a lift creates additional scars, its improvement must be weighed against those incisions.
Fat transfer can restore modest volume using natural tissue collected with liposuction. The fat is prepared and placed to soften contour changes or improve symmetry. It can’t reproduce every implant size, and some fat is absorbed. Selected patients undergo explant surgery combined with a lift and fat grafting to achieve balance without new implants.
Most patients go home the day of surgery with a responsible adult. Swelling, bruising, tightness, and soreness are expected. You may wear a surgical bra and take prescribed medication. If drains are placed, the team will explain their care and removal.
Many patients return to desk-based work within one to two weeks. Walking is encouraged, but lifting and strenuous exercise remain restricted. Recovery may take longer after capsulectomy, breast lift, or fat grafting.
The loss of implant volume is visible immediately, but swelling can obscure the final shape. The tissues settle over several months. Results vary with implant size, skin elasticity, natural tissue, capsule condition, and accompanying procedures.
Whenever possible, previous breast augmentation incisions are reused. Scars are permanent but typically fade as they mature. A breast lift adds incisions around the areola and sometimes toward the breast crease. Dr. Nazarian reviews the expected pattern before surgery.
Risks include bleeding, infection, fluid collection, delayed healing, sensation changes, asymmetry, contour irregularity, persistent pain, unfavorable scarring, and another operation. Capsulectomy adds risks involving the chest wall and surrounding tissue.
Breast explant surgery involves more than removing a device. It requires careful evaluation of the skin, capsule, muscle, and natural breast tissue.
Dr. Sheila Nazarian is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and belongs to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Her experience in breast augmentation, revision, lift, and fat grafting supports a complete evaluation of your options. Surgery is performed at Nazarian Plastic Surgery's accredited on-site Beverly Hills facility.
During your consultation, Dr. Nazarian reviews your surgical history, existing breast implants, and surrounding tissue. She will explain whether implant removal alone or an additional procedure best supports your goals.
Call Nazarian Plastic Surgery or schedule a consultation online to discuss breast explant in Beverly Hills.
No. A normal capsule may remain when there is no clinical reason to remove it. Partial or total capsulectomy may be recommended for contracture, rupture, or abnormal findings. The approach depends on your anatomy and diagnosis.
Breast shape depends on natural tissue, implant size, skin elasticity, and time with implants. Some patients choose removal alone; others add a breast lift or fat transfer to address skin, nipple position, or fullness.
Yes. Surgical removal can address a ruptured silicone implant and accessible gel. Imaging may help define whether the rupture is contained within the capsule or has extended into surrounding tissue. The findings help determine whether capsule removal is appropriate.
Often, yes. Dr. Nazarian commonly uses the same incision locations when they provide safe access. Additional scarring may be necessary for extensive capsulectomy, migrated silicone, or a breast lift. Your anticipated incision plan will be reviewed before surgery.
Procedure time varies. Straightforward implant removal is generally shorter than surgery involving total capsulectomy, rupture management, breast lift, or fat grafting. Dr. Nazarian can provide a more useful estimate after examining you and reviewing the proposed treatment plan.
Yes, many patients can consider future breast augmentation if their health, breast tissue, and preferences change. Timing depends on how the breasts heal and why the original implants were removed. A later consultation can address implants, fat transfer, or other breast enhancement options.
