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If you are considering having your breast implants removed, it is important to understand the different types of implant removal procedures, as well as your aesthetic options after implant removal. Breast implant removal, also known as explant surgery, can address cosmetic concerns, help you feel more comfortable in your body, and resolve breast implant complications. Houston Explant Surgery Specialist Dr. Sean Boutros is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a pioneer of natural breast augmentation. Dr. Boutros offers total intact capsulectomy breast implant removal, along with All Me Augmentation (Cosmetic Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator [DIEP] Flap Breast Augmentation) that allows patients to maintain full breasts without implants and without any risk of complications such as capsular contracture.
Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
The decision to have your breast implants removed is just as personal as the decision to have breast augmentation. Women decide on explant surgery for a number of reasons, including:
Appearance and Aesthetic Preference Trends and styles change, and so does your body. You may seek explant surgery simply because you no longer like the way breast implants look on your body.
Lifestyle Changes Breast implants may no longer suit your day-to-day routine if you have become more athletic, have committed to leading a more natural lifestyle, or have experienced other changes.
Capsular Contracture Capsular contracture is the most common breast implant complication and most treatment methods are ineffective in resolving it.1
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) Several types of breast implants have been recalled because they have been linked to a type of cancer called Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL. The FDA currently does not recommend preventative removal of breast implants, but women experiencing symptoms are advised to have breast implants removed by an experienced Plastic Surgeon.
Breast Implant Illness and Other Health Concerns Breast Implant Illness, or BII, is an autoimmune condition characterized by fatigue, chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia. While more research is required to fully understand the potential link between autoimmune symptoms and breast implants, the FDA reports that patients with BII do find relief from symptoms once their breast implants are removed.2
Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
The decision to have your breast implants removed is just as personal as the decision to have breast augmentation. Women decide on explant surgery for a number of reasons, including:
Appearance and Aesthetic Preference Trends and styles change, and so does your body. You may seek explant surgery simply because you no longer like the way breast implants look on your body.
Lifestyle Changes Breast implants may no longer suit your day-to-day routine if you have become more athletic, have committed to leading a more natural lifestyle, or have experienced other changes.
Capsular Contracture Capsular contracture is the most common breast implant complication and most treatment methods are ineffective in resolving it.1
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) Several types of breast implants have been recalled because they have been linked to a type of cancer called Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL. The FDA currently does not recommend preventative removal of breast implants, but women experiencing symptoms are advised to have breast implants removed by an experienced Plastic Surgeon.
Breast Implant Illness and Other Health Concerns Breast Implant Illness, or BII, is an autoimmune condition characterized by fatigue, chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia. While more research is required to fully understand the potential link between autoimmune symptoms and breast implants, the FDA reports that patients with BII do find relief from symptoms once their breast implants are removed.2
Explant Surgery With Total Intact Capsulectomy Technique
Understanding the Anatomy Around Breast Implants
When your breast implants were placed, your body’s natural response was to surround each implant with a layer of scar tissue, which we call the capsule. Typically, this scar tissue is thin and flexible and helps hold your implants in place. In patients who develop capsular contracture, the scar tissue tightens, thickens or hardens, affecting the how the breast looks and feels.
What is Total Intact Capsulectomy?
In a total intact breast implant removal, Dr. Boutros will create an incision and then remove the entire capsule with the breast implant inside. This method ensures that all scar tissue is removed as intact as possible and limits the risk of the breast implant shell or filling coming into contact with other areas of your body. Removal of the scar tissue is necessary to resolve capsular contracture and patients with health concerns typically feel that this technique is the most beneficial for their well-being.
Breast Implant Removal Options
There are several methods for breast implant removal, but not all of them are appropriate for patients with health concerns or complications such as capsular contracture. If you are seeking explant surgery due to capsular contracture or BII, it is critical that you see a surgeon who is experienced in total intact capsulectomy. Some doctors may offer to simply deflate your breast implants, which would still leave the implant shells and scar tissue inside you.
Dr. Boutros is skilled in total intact capsulectomy breast implant removal and utilizes this advanced technique in all indicated explant surgeries.
Cosmetic Options After Breast Implant Removal
The appearance of your natural breasts after breast implant removal will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your implants, your natural breast tissue, and your age. Women who have breast implants removed without any accompanying aesthetic procedure may experience an unfavorable aesthetic outcome, such as loose skin or a deflated appearance.
Many surgeons offer breast revision surgery, in which new breast implants replace the ones that were removed. But what are your cosmetic options if you do not want new breast implants? Until now, natural breast augmentation options were limited, which was frustrating for women who suffered from recurring capsular contracture, as well as those who wanted to avoid foreign objects inside their body. Dr. Boutros offers Cosmetic Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) Flap Breast Augmentation as a solution for women who would like to remove their breast implants while maintaining breast size and fullness.
Natural Breast Augmentation Without Breast Implants
Cosmetic DIEP flap breast augmentation uses your body’s own natural tissue to reshape your breasts. The procedure involves an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, procedure in which tissue is harvested. This living tissue, complete with blood vessels to keep the fat alive after transfer, is used to augment the breasts. This procedure does not use breast implants and has no risk of capsular contracture, breast implant illness, or BIA-ALCL. Learn more about cosmetic DIEP flap breast augmentation.
Contact Dr. Sean Boutros
We know that breast implant removal is a complex decision, and we are committed to ensuring that our patients understand all their options so they can make the choice that is best for them. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sean Boutros. Contact Us