Explant surgery, also called breast implant removal, is a medical procedure used to take out breast implants from the breasts of women who have had either breast reconstructive or augmentation surgery. Some women no longer want their saline or silicone inserts or they have experienced issues. On the other hand, some opt for implant removal due to scar tissue that has hardened around the implant and causes pain.
Breast implants are not intended to last a lifetime. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast implants must be revised every 10 to 15 years; however, this depends on the patient's preference and health needs.
In some cases, the implant inside the body may burst, causing the silicone to leak and spread, which may lead to soreness and hardening of the surrounding tissues. In such situations, it is essential to remove the breast implants immediately.
How to prepare for the breast implant removal
In preparation for the breast implant removal, your healthcare provider might ask you to follow any of the following steps:
Breast implant removal surgery is commonly performed in a hospital with general anesthesia. If you are undergoing an outpatient unit, arrange for someone to drive you back home from the hospital and attend to you overnight.
Steps of breast implant removal surgery
A breast implant surgery is typically performed at an ambulatory surgical unit or an operating room in a hospital. The procedure is likely to follow the following steps:
Anesthesia
Before the surgery, you are given intravenous sedation to make you feel calm and relaxed or general anesthesia to put you in a sleep-like state. The choice mainly depends on your anaesthesiologist or plastic surgeon.
Incision
Before the breast implant removal, an incision is made on the darker region around the nipple, called the areola, or under the lower fold of the breast (inframammary fold). It primarily depends on where the implants were placed at the time of the breast implant.
Removal of the implant or scar tissue
This step depends on the aim of the surgery. Scar tissue naturally develops when the implants are placed. Some surgeons remove the implant and leave the scar tissue, whereas others remove the implant and the scar tissue (partially or fully). Scar tissue removal is a time-consuming procedure.
Closing the incisions
After the implants are removed or replaced, incisions are closed with the help of sutures or glue-like adhesives. Bandages are placed atop your chest to protect the incisions. Sometimes a drainage mechanism is also applied to help prevent the breasts from swelling or allowing the fluids or blood to drain away from the breasts.
After the procedure, your vital signs and operation site are closely monitored to avoid possible complications. Your breast profile might change after the breast implant removal. Depending on how much scar tissue is removed, it may have an uneven appearance, indentations, or irregularities. Your breasts may get droopier or flatter too.