Why Undergo Breast Explant Surgery in Philadelphia?
Breast explant surgery may be optional or recommended depending on the circumstances. Some patients choose to undergo a breast explant if they are unhappy with the size or shape of their new breast implants. In other cases, patients grow dissatisfied with their breast implants over time. Changes in physique may cause breast implants to seem disproportionate; the breast augmentation surgery you opted for years ago may no longer best accentuate your body symmetry. In this case, a breast explant can help restore natural-looking contours that are proportional with your physique.
Medical concerns may also necessitate the removal of your breast implants. Implants that tear, rupture or leak need to be removed as soon as possible. If an infection develops following the placement of your breast implants, then these implants need to be removed. Additionally, patients who experience capsular contracture are encouraged to undergo breast explant surgery to remove their implants. During capsular contracture, scar tissue builds up and hardens around the breast implant, which can lead to pain and an uneven appearance.
Dr. Brandow is a leading breast explant surgeon with decades of plastic surgery experience. Whether you would like to undergo a breast explant for cosmetic reasons or to alleviate medical concerns, Dr. Brandow can help address any questions you may have during your breast explant consultation at one of our Brandow Clinic Plastic Surgery locations in the Philadelphia or South Jersey area.
Who Is a Candidate for Breast Explantation Surgery in Philadelphia?
- If you are not happy with the results of a previous breast augmentation.
- If you are no longer satisfied with your breast implants due to changes in physique.
- If your breast implants seem disproportional to your overall body symmetry.
- If your breast implant has ruptured or torn.
- If you have developed an infection as a result of your breast implant procedure.
- If you have capsular contracture.
- If you are at an increased risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) due to your breast implants.
- If you have had other complications with your breast implants.
- If other medical reasons necessitate the removal of your breast implants.
Intended Results of Breast Explant Surgery
A breast explant can remove your breast implants and restore natural-looking symmetry to your breasts. Physical changes, including weight loss and pregnancy, may alter the proportion of your breast implants. Dr. Brandow can safely remove breast implants and reshape the breasts to accentuate your natural breast contours. Breast explant surgery can also alleviate the effects of capsular contracture, ruptures or breast implant infections.
Patients may also want their breast implants replaced following their explant surgery. Dr. Brandow can perform breast implant revision and place new smooth saline breast implants that best complement your physique. Learn more about breast implant replacement surgery.
Breast Explant Procedure Description
Breast explant surgery in the Philadelphia area is performed on an outpatient basis. Explant Surgery can vary from straightforward to very complex depending on the situation and the type of implant (silicone vs saline). A plastic surgeon with experience and expertise with breast implant surgery is essential to obtaining a successful outcome.
If a patient has saline implants and requires a removal of implants(Explant) permanently, it may be simple as making a small incision under the breast, deflating and removing the implant followed by inspecting the pocket (space where the implant was sitting) for any abnormalities. This is important to do in order to rule out ALCL (Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma); which has been found to form primarily around silicone implants and a few cases occurring in textured saline implants.
Some cases can be more intricate, needing a removal of the capsule(capsulectomy), when the silicone implants have ruptured. This can be potentially harmful to one’s health and is recently known as “Breast Implant Illness”. This can be somewhat disfiguring to the breast and often requires a Breast Lift to be performed at the same time or months later in a separate surgery. Dr. Brandow will often liposuction the fat from the upper back and utilize this to help fill in the loss of volume when the implant is removed. This type of surgery will usually have a longer recovery and will require pathology to examine the capsule to rule out ALCL.
Recuperation and Healing after Breast Explant Surgery in Philadelphia
Breast explant patients can expect swelling and bruising to occur around the breasts following the procedure; these effects should subside within a week. Oral medication will be prescribed to help alleviate any discomfort you may feel. Recovery is typically 3 to 7 days. Your sutures are removed within the first 2 weeks and you can typically begin to resume light activities as tolerated within 3 weeks.
Insurance Guidelines for Your Breast Explant Procedure in Philadelphia
In most cases, breast explant surgery is currently considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. The Brandow Clinic does not participate with healthcare insurance providers and all services are out of pocket.
Notes on Getting Breast Explant Surgery in Philadelphia
The individual risks of undergoing a breast explant procedure can be determined at the time of your consultation. All surgeries carry a degree of risk and, in some cases, minor complications that do not affect the outcome may occur. Major complications are considered rare.
