Breast Implant Removal West Palm Beach & Jupiter
Breast implant removal, also known as explant surgery, is a normal part of having breast implants. Though modern silicone implants can last up to 20 years, they eventually need to be removed or exchanged.
For some women, however, the decision to undergo explant surgery is motivated by a desire to live without breast implants. This deeply personal choice may stem from lifestyle changes, evolving aesthetic preferences, or health concerns.
If you’re ready to have your breast implants removed, South Florida plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Cooper can help you achieve your medical and cosmetic goals. Known throughout the Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens area for his patient-centered approach, Dr. Cooper’s practice is founded on the values of compassion, focus, and expertise. To discuss your options for breast implant removal, contact us by phone at (561) 406-6574.
Your South Florida Breast Implant Removal Consultation
As a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast procedures, Dr. Jason Cooper has the skill and experience needed to beautifully reconstruct your natural breasts. After graduating from the Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Program, one of the most prestigious programs in the country, he has been regularly recognized as a “Top Doctor.”
To learn more about his credentials or to arrange a personal consultation, contact our clinic in Jupiter, South Florida. We look forward to caring for you in our fully integrated, AAAASF-certified facility as you begin a new chapter in your life.
About the Breast Implant Removal Procedure
Explant surgery typically involves multiple steps and is tailored precisely to each patient’s needs. During your consultation, Dr. Cooper will perform a thorough examination and take photographs of the treatment area. Together, you will discuss incision placement, surgical details, and the aesthetic options following implant removal that will best flatter your figure.
Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Implant Removal?
The ideal explant candidate is a woman who is in good overall health, with realistic expectations and clear goals for her procedure. Before having your breast implants removed, you should review “before-and-after” photos of successful combined explant and breast lift surgeries and think carefully about the aesthetic objectives you want to achieve. We also encourage our patients to bring pictures showing the breast shape they would like to have after breast implant removal and recovery is complete.
Breast implant removal might be right for you if:
- Your breast implants are leaking. (Note that ruptured implants must be removed as soon as possible for medical reasons.)
- You’ve experienced complications after having breast augmentation, such as capsular contracture, infection, or prolonged localized irritation.
- You have health concerns that make implant removal necessary, e.g., BIA-ALCL or breast cancer.
- The weight of your implants is causing you discomfort.
- You would prefer to return to your original breast size.
- Your implants have shifted, and you don’t like the way they look.
Before having your breast implants removed, you may need to make minor lifestyle changes to minimize your risk of complications. If you smoke, you will need to stop smoking for at least three weeks before and after surgery. You may also be asked to temporarily stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, with your doctor’s permission.
How is Explant Surgery Performed at Our Clinic in Jupiter?
Capsulectomy
If you haven’t experienced any complications with breast implants, Dr. Cooper will make an incision below each breast and carefully remove your implants. If the capsules of scar tissue around your implants are unusually thick or rigid (a condition known as capsular contracture), Dr. Cooper will perform an additional step called a “capsulectomy.” During a capsulectomy, internal scar tissue is removed from the breasts to improve aesthetic outcomes.
Keep in mind that the accumulation of this tissue is an expected, normal consequence after the implantation of any medical device. Pacemakers, stents, and joint replacements all become “encapsulated” without any detrimental effect on the patient.
En Bloc Breast Implant Removal
To restore round, youthful breast contours, Dr. Cooper may recommend following breast implant removal with a breast lift (mastopexy). A breast lift removes excess skin from the breasts and reshapes the areolae, as needed, to prevent sagging and ensure a flattering figure. This procedure can be performed at the same time your implants are removed, so you won’t need multiple operations. Dr. Cooper will make additional incisions along the front of each breast and around each areola, remove stretched skin, and then carefully adjust the remaining breast tissue to match the cosmetic goals you discussed during your consultation.
Breast implant removal takes one to three hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the procedure. You will be able to go home the same day as your surgery.
What to Expect After Having Explant Surgery
Before the procedure
Before your operation, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home from our in-office surgery center and care for you while you rest. You will be provided with supportive garments and pain medication to ensure your comfort during recovery. In some cases, the doctor uses surgical drains to reduce inflammation and support healing. These short, flexible tubes are easy to care for and will be removed once the fluid stops draining.
After the procedure
Most women who have their breast implants removed can return to work after one week, though en bloc breast implant removal patients may need to rest slightly longer. All explant patients must wait at least four weeks before resuming vigorous exercise or lifting heavy objects.
Though the initial recovery period following explant surgery is brief, your breasts will need time to adjust to their new shape. Once your bandages are removed, your breasts may look flat or slightly concave. This appearance is normal and temporary. Your breasts will slowly fill out over a period of three to six months as the tissue that was compressed by your implants expands into the breast pocket.
Jason Cooper, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Trust your results to Dr. Jason Cooper, a board-certified plastic surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience and a top 1% facelift and neck lift practice in the U.S. Known for his natural aesthetic and meticulous approach, he delivers safe, personalized results using the latest advanced techniques.
Learn More About Breast Implant Removal
If you are considering breast implant removal and are in the process of deciding if it is the best option for you, we recommend that you get professional advice. Dr. Cooper invites you to our stress-free office environment to get the information you need to make a wise decision.
Contact our cosmetic plastic surgery office by calling (561) 406-6574 or scheduling a consultation. We have locations in Jupiter and Palm Beach, FL, and proudly serve patients visiting us from all over Florida and beyond.
Breast Implant Removal FAQs
Is breast implant removal a major surgery?
Removing breast implants is not necessarily a major surgery. However, depending on your implants’ size and how long you have had them, you may wish to add a breast lift to your surgical plan to address loose skin and reinforce the breast wall.
Is it painful to have breast implants removed?
The recovery period is relatively brief. Most women feel well enough to return to work after about one week. If you had larger implants, you may also experience less neck, back, and shoulder pain after having them removed.
Do breasts go back to normal after implant removal?
After your breast implant removal, you may have some skin laxity. Fortunately, a breast lift can resolve this.
What happens to your body after implant removal?
Prepare for breast sagging and loose skin after breast implant removal. You may also have to deal with a temporary loss of nipple sensation. As stated before, cosmetic breast enhancement procedures can resolve sagging breasts and excess skin.
How much does it cost to have breast implants taken out?
Your total price tag will depend on various factors, including surgical complexity. Dr. Cooper will give you an accurate quote after meeting with you and learning about your goals.
How do I prepare for an explant surgery?
Preparing for breast implant removal is critical for successful results. Here is a to-do list of things to accomplish:
- Schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
- Adjust medications as directed.
- Contact your medical insurance to ask if they will cover some of your costs.
- Arrange to take time off work.
- Make sure you have support at home to help you during recovery.
How long do I have to wear a compression bra after explant surgery?
While Dr. Cooper will determine how long you need to wear your surgical bra after breast removal surgery, the average is two to six weeks. Unless he instructs otherwise, wear the garment 24 hours per day except when showering. Compression is critical for post-surgical care.
Why choose a board-certified plastic surgeon for implant removal?
Partnering with a board-certified plastic surgeon with ample experience in breast surgery will put you in the best possible position for an optimal outcome. Dr. Cooper is Harvard-trained, knowledgeable about a wide range of breast surgery techniques, and uses his skill to minimize risks and potential complications.