Breast Implant Removal (Explant Surgery) in Newport Beach, CA
Breast Implant Removal Procedure
Are you considering removing your breast implants?
If so, you are not alone. Many women these days who have undergone breast augmentation are considering having their implants removed. Their reasons are varied, ranging from discomfort to implants being “too large” and “I just don’t like them anymore” to a long list of breast implant illness (BII) related symptoms.
Dr. Jon Bradley Strawn offers expert implant removal surgery, AKA breast explantation, a priority service in Newport Beach, California, at Scultura Plastic Surgery. Dr. Strawn not only removes the implant with its associated capsule but also offers breast sculpting and natural breast augmentation with fat transfer to help ensure your breasts are as beautiful as ever after removing your implants.
Dr. Strawn is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a trusted expert in this highly customized procedure. His focus is not just on removing the implants but also on providing options that ensure you look and feel great after your procedure. At Scultura Plastic Surgery, our patients do not have to worry about sacrificing their appearance for their health.
What Are the Benefits of Breast Implant Removal at Scultura Plastic Surgery?
Personalized Expertise
Dr. Strawn and the team at Scultura Plastic Surgery are committed to ensuring our explant surgery patients receive the individualized care needed for a positive surgical experience. A custom treatment plan is developed to meet your unique needs and carried
Caring Coordinators
Throughout your breast explant journey, you can expect to be treated with compassion. Our patient coordinator will guide and support you from your initial consultation through your final follow-up and beyond and also take the time to understand your unique needs, improving all aspects of your care.
Consistent Availability
At Scultura Plastic Surgery, we are always here for you. Our commitment to your well-being extends beyond standard office hours. Dr. Strawn and his team are always available to answer your questions, address your concerns, and alleviate any fears you may have about your health.
Why Should I Remove My Breast Implants?
Breast Implant Illness
There are several studies proving that breast implants can cause serious illnesses that may harm glands, organs, and overall health in some patients. Symptoms may include the following and can be related to local, systemic, or autoimmune conditions.
- Anxiety, Fatigue, Memory Loss
- Pain, Hair Loss, Arthritis
- Muscle Weakness, Weight Gain
- Recurring infections, Allergies
Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue that forms naturally around your implants becomes fibrous, contracted, and tight. Capsular contracture often causes your breasts to look asymmetrical and feel hard. In severe cases, patients may experience discomfort or pain.
This is the most common complication associated with breast implants and can happen as soon as four to six weeks after the implants are placed or years later.
Implant Rupture
Implant rupture is when a tear forms in the outer shell of a breast implant, which can cause the saline or silicone contents to leak out and fill the breast capsule or breast pocket. Immediate attention is necessary to address a rupture.
Unfortunately, some silicone ruptures are considered “silent ruptures” because they are not immediately seen by the naked eye. For this reason, monitoring your implants with routine MRIs or other scans is important.
Poor Implant Position
The positioning of your implants in the breast pocket can play a significant role in the appearance of your breasts. When breast pockets fail to hold the implants in place, they can shift and create an unappealing, misshapen appearance, asymmetry, or complications that could worsen over time.
Some common occurrences include bottoming out, double bubble deformity, and synmastia.
Breast Deformities
A breast deformity can develop immediately after breast augmentation or over time due to scar tissue or weakened breast tissue. Sometimes, women with older implant types, such as first-generation gel implants, can develop hardened and distorted breasts.
You Are Unhappy
Maybe you are not sure why you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, which is okay. You may have had an ideal breast appearance in mind, and your implants failed to achieve that vision.
How Does Dr. Strawn Differ From Other Plastic Surgeons in Newport Beach?
A Vision for Revision
Dr. Strawn is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in explant surgery, breast revision, and breast reconstruction surgery. The procedure may be simple or complex depending on the reason for breast implant removal and the condition of your breast tissue. Either way, choosing an explant surgery specialist like Dr. Strawn helps ensure the most successful outcome.
Advanced Techniques
Whether your reason for wanting your breast implants removed is simple or you have multiple concerns, Dr. Strawn is skilled and experienced with many advanced techniques. He combines a scientific and artistic approach to safely tailor your breast implant removal surgery to meet your individual needs.
Transforming Results
Dr. Strawn’s goal is to provide you with beautiful breasts that will enhance your figure for years to come. When it comes to breast implant removal, it’s not enough to simply extract the implants and stitch you up. You can count on Dr. Strawn to work with you to deliver the desired results, whether lifting and recontouring your natural breasts or replacing the implants with more suitable options, such as fat grafting.
What Are My Implant Removal Options?
As a breast explant surgery specialist, Dr. Strawn offers a wide range of breast implant removal procedures to resolve your issue(s) and leave you with the best-looking breasts possible.
En Bloc Capsulectomy
En bloc capsulectomy carefully removes the entire capsule and implant together in one piece. It also removes the surrounding scar tissue and other remnants of previous breast surgeries. This procedure is always the first step when undergoing implant removal.
En Bloc Only
For patients who only wish to remove their implants and do not want further treatment of their breasts, the en bloc procedure is performed alone. This procedure carefully removes the capsule and implant but does not involve reconstructing the breasts, which means there are limitations on how much the appearance of the breasts can be improved.
En Bloc + Lift (Mastopexy)
An en bloc and mastopexy procedure combines implant removal with a breast lift to recontour the breast tissue and raise the nipple if necessary for a beautiful and perky appearance. The amount of natural tissue limits the final breast size. Although scars will occur, they will fade over time.
En Bloc + Lift and Fat Grafting
If you want the gold standard treatment with the best results after implant removal, an en bloc procedure combined with a breast lift and fat grafting is the optimal choice. Although it is the most expensive option, fat grafting will add volume and sculpting, while the lift will reshape your breasts for a beautiful appearance after explant surgery.
En Bloc + Fat Grafting Only
Fat grafting after breast implant removal is a revolutionary practice. Patient-harvested fat is used to improve the size, asymmetries, and deformities of the breasts after the en bloc capsulectomy. Dr. Strawn is an expert in utilizing fat grafting to create more naturally contoured breasts. This procedure is often limited to patients with smaller implants and no significant breast sagging.
Typically, fat grafting uses fat taken from the midsection, thighs, or back. This fat is then purified for safe use and relocation to the breasts.
Other
Every patient is different and may present unique challenges. Some patients have had their implants removed without capsulectomies and would like the capsules removed with or without reconstruction. Some patients have already had their implants explanted and now simply want reconstruction. Other challenges with prior surgeries and breast deformities may also be addressed.
Breast Explant Surgery Considerations
Preparing for Explant Surgery
Patients who smoke or use other tobacco products must quit weeks before their procedure, as nicotine use significantly increases the risk of complications. Complete all medical lab tests and maintain a healthy lifestyle before surgery. Discontinue taking aspirin and other medications or supplements that may increase bleeding and bruising.
Patients should arrange for the help they’ll need after surgery so they can relax and recover adequately.
Recovery From Explant Surgery
Recovery after breast implant removal may take between three and six weeks, depending on the type of reconstruction chosen. Before surgery, Dr. Strawn will provide instructions on how to experience the safest, complication-free recovery possible, including directions on how soon you can shower, exercise, and resume your regular routine after implant removal.
You should expect to take at least two weeks off work or more if your job requires strenuous activity.
Results From Explant Surgery
The results from breast implant removal surgery are generally permanent. However, breast lift (mastopexy) and fat grafting are not immune to the natural aging process, and your breast tissues will continue to be affected by natural aging.
Understanding Your Breast Implant Removal Cost in Newport Beach, CA
How much does breast implant removal cost in Newport Beach?
The average cost for breast implant removal in Newport Beach can range from $4,800 to $10,000 and up, depending on many factors. Dr. Strawn will provide a clear and transparent dialogue during your initial consultation about the cost of your breast implant removal procedure.
The price of your total breast implant removal surgery will depend on the reconstruction options chosen (implant removal only, implant removal with lift, implant removal with lift and fat grafting combined, etc.), anesthesia fees, facility fees, additional procedures, and more. Most plastic surgeons offer some form of patient financing if needed.
Will my medical insurance cover the cost of my breast implant removal surgery?
Dr. Strawn and Scultura Plastic Surgery do not participate with insurance companies. While out of network individual medical insurance coverage varies based on your provider and plan, some policies will cover breast implant removal if it is deemed medically necessary to treat an illness or disease. Health insurance companies may also consider why you had breast implants placed originally, and patients with implants placed for cosmetic reasons may not be covered. However, insurance companies often cover breast implant removal for patients who had implants placed for breast reconstruction after breast cancer and mastectomy.
Check with your specific health insurance policy to determine your coverage.
Do implant warranties cover the cost of breast implant removal surgery?
Many breast implant manufacturers offer warranties for their implants, but coverage varies by brand and circumstances. If your implants are removed because of a defect in the implant, such as a rupture, the warranty may cover a portion of the surgery.
Review your specific breast implant warranty information to determine your coverage.
Your Newport Beach Breast Explant Surgery Specialist
Scultura Plastic Surgery is led by Dr. Strawn, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, California, who is dedicated to providing highly specialized care for breast implant removal and reconstruction after breast cancer.
Patients who visit Dr. Strawn’s practice receive the utmost medical attention for the best surgical outcomes possible.
Check out Dr. Strawn’s Before and After Photos of Breast Explant Surgery Patients
The Scultura Plastic Surgery website provides before and after plastic surgery photos of the procedures available at our location. We will also show you additional images during your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Implant Removal
Why has there been a rise in breast implant removals?
In the last few years, two disorders have come to the forefront: breast implant illness and breast implant-associated ALCL. Both of these are treated by en bloc breast implant removal.
Also, many women who had their breasts augmented in the 1990s went for the trendy look of large implants. Now that time has passed, their preferences have changed, and they want to remove their large implants.
What are the early signs of capsular contracture?
Early symptoms of capsular contracture are characterized by a hardening sensation around the implant or even pain. Capsular contracture also emerges slowly as a distortion in the breast.
How can I reduce the risk of capsular contracture?
Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and daily breast massages may reduce the risk of capsular contracture. However, there is no way to completely eliminate the risk without removing the implants. Women who develop recurrent capsular contracture after breast revision often decide to remove their implants altogether.
How do I know my breast implants are too old and need to be removed?
Although breast implants can last for decades, they are not impervious to deterioration. Changes in breast shape, position, and firmness may indicate that your breast implants are worn out and need removal.
Should I get my breast implants removed if they are too big?
Breast implants too large for your needs can be cumbersome and get in the way of daily activities. You may also feel your initial breast implants do not accurately complement your natural body proportions.
How will I know if my breast implants have ruptured?
You will know that your implants have ruptured when you feel or notice distortions in breast shape and size, pain, firmness, and swelling over time. Ruptures in saline breast implants are easier to recognize than those in silicone implants. Numbness or a difference in breast sensation may signify implant rupture in silicone breast implants. However, many ruptures are silent, making an MRI the best way to detect them.
What causes breast implant malpositioning?
Breast implant displacement can occur because of implant deterioration, breast pocket failure, and poor placement during the initial augmentation.
How is breast revision different from breast implant removal?
Breast implant removal is considered a type of breast revision surgery, as it addresses the breasts after augmentation. Other breast revision surgeries are designed for patients who still desire breast implants but wish to revise their initial procedure due to cosmetic issues or complications.
Will I be able to breastfeed after implant removal?
Generally, implant removal doesn’t affect the ability to breastfeed. However, the original techniques used for your breast augmentation will determine your capacity to nurse.
Can I have smaller breast implants placed after my breast implant removal procedure?
If patients are suffering from breast implant illness (BII) symptoms, the implant and capsule must be removed en bloc. Adequate time must also be given for the body to recover and detoxify to be able to answer the question, “Were the implants making me sick?”
Even after reconstruction, some women are unhappy with the size of their breasts and later decide they want some of the volume and shape provided by implants. Subsequent breast fat grafting is the best way to augment the breasts naturally.
Does breast implant removal cause scarring?
If possible, Dr. Strawn will use the same incision made during the initial breast augmentation to avoid additional scarring. Mastopexy (breast lift) procedures add new scars to the breast, while fat grafting-only procedures are great because they only require tiny incisions for fat harvesting and grafting.
What are the risks associated with breast implant-only removal surgery?
Although rare, all surgeries carry some possibility of risk. Risks specific to breast implant removal include:
- Small size
- Unfavorable contour of the breasts
- Breast “caving,” which may cause an unfavorable look
- Increased breast sagging