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5 Biggest Changes to Expect After Explanting

March 3, 2021
Fredric M. Barr

Women decide to remove their breast implants—a procedure called breast explant surgery or total capsulectomy—for several reasons. Some experience symptoms of Breast Implant Illness. Others feel pain due to capsular contracture or simply think that their implants no longer suit their body type or lifestyle. If you’re considering breast implant removal, you may be wondering what to expect post-op. Here are 5 biggest changes to expect after explanting surgery.

1. You Will Need Several Weeks to Recover

Breast explanation occurs under general anesthesia and typically takes two- to- four hours to complete. After your surgery, you will have drains that will aid in your healing process to help avoid complications such as hematomas and excessive pain.

You will need to avoid any physical activity or heavy lifting. Your wounds will need time to heal. Subjecting them to excessive force could hinder the recovery process.

2. Your Breasts Will Look Different at First

Your breasts will change significantly day to day and week to week. Your final cosmetic result will take approximately three months. At first, you will experience swelling that causes the breasts to be misshaped. As the swelling resolves, the drains and sutures will be removed. Your breasts will then begin to change shape and the body will cause a natural fluffing as it is healing. Your scar will remain red, lumpy, and irregular for a few months or more. Dr. Barr provides a laser post-surgery to help to minimize the scarring, in addition to a possible fat transfer to help with irregularities.

Though age, weight, and hormonal changes affect how your breasts recover from explant surgery, many patients love how they look after recovery. Try to be patient and remember that your breasts will take time to return to their natural shape.

3. Your Previous BII Symptoms May Begin to Subside After a Few Days - This Is Different for Every Patient

With Dr. Barr’s patients, the following symptoms have greatly subsided after breast implant explantation.

  • Dryness of the Eyes, Skin, and Hair
  • Inflammation of the Joints
  • Skin Rashes
  • Headaches
  • Trouble breathing
  • Severe Fatigue
  • Brain Fog
  • Pain or hardening of the breast

After surgery, your body will take a few weeks to recover from the anesthesia, incisions, and implant removal. Your body will need time to adjust, and you may not notice any changes to your previous symptoms during this time.

However, many women report their BII symptoms subsiding around the four- or five-week mark post-op. At this point, your initial recovery will be almost complete, and you may begin to notice your body reacting differently to previous triggers.

4. You May Opt for a Breast Lift

Breast droop and sagging can be avoided by doing a mastopexy at the same time as your explant. Dr. Barr suggests waiting six months or more to see if a fat transfer is necessary for reshaping.

A breast lift raises your breasts by removing the excess skin that has resulted from your implants and surgery. Tightening this skin and tissue creates a firmer, more youthful shape and minimizes any sagging you experience post-op.

An explant surgery can give you severe irregularities and leave you with misshapen breasts. However, Dr. Barr performs breast implant explantations on a daily basis and strives to give his patients the best cosmetic outcome possible.

5. Total Healing May Take Up to a Year

Many women can return to their everyday lives within a month of their explant surgery. However, your body—and especially your breasts— may take up to one year to completely heal from your breast implant explantation.

Our patients often experience swelling and fluctuations in their breast sizes for up to a year after surgery. Healing can often be a slow process. Even if you feel fine a few weeks after surgery, your breasts may need additional time to return to their natural state.

Keep in mind that individual results vary, and everyone's recovery looks different. Dr. Barr will help you achieve optimal results throughout your recovery process, provide advice and guidance to speed up healing, and recommend any additional procedures as needed. His breast implant counselor is available 24/7 to guide you through this healing process.

If you’re interested in finding out more about breast implant illness or considering a breast explantation procedure, please call Dr. Barr’s BII Counselor with all of your questions at (561) 537-3522. To join Dr. Fredric Barr’s private Facebook group, Breast Explant Solution Group by Dr. Fredric Barr, click here.

Copyright © 2024. Palm Beach Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery. All Rights Reserved.

This blog provides general information and discusses health, cosmetic procedures, and Breast Implant Illness. The information and other content provided in this blog, or any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. Each individual has a unique physiology, along with their own characteristics, concerns, and desires. A blog cannot sufficiently address them.

If you or any other person has a cosmetic or medical concern, consult a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.

Palm Beach Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

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