Explant Surgery is Changing Women’s Lives … For the Better

It is not uncommon these days for women who have had breast augmentation to choose to remove their implants, have them revised, or decrease their size. There’s no doubt that breast explants or explantations, which are breast revisions designed to take out existing implant devices, can be transformative for some patients. Motivations vary: Some women simply don’t want their implants anymore for personal reasons, while others prefer to have them replaced so they can achieve a new look. Dr. Scott Chapin and the Chapin Aesthetics team believe in being honest and upfront with patients so that they can be fully informed before they go ahead with any procedure. In addition to explaining some of the benefits of explant surgery, they hope to clarify some points for patients considering the procedure—especially concerning breast implant illness, as their Philadelphia-area team has noticed rumors and incorrect information being spread about this topic.

Many women who have heard recent stories about breast implants on social media or in the news have been alarmed by the idea that having breast implant devices may lead to illness—and specifically breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Contrary to a popular misconception, breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is not breast cancer, but is actually a cancer of the immune system. There have been no confirmed cases in connections with smooth implants, so the rare disease appears to be associated only with textured implants

Only 10 percent of the implants sold in United States are textured. Patients should be aware that the overall lifetime risk of BIA-ALCL for women with textured implants is very low: somewhere in the range of 1 in 2,207 to 1 in 86,029 cases, according to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The choice of filling (saline or silicone) seems to bear no impact on risk. The FDA has stressed that patients who are not experiencing symptoms do not need to have their breast implants removed, and the agency is not advocating for the widespread removal of any devices.

In addition to concerns about possible illness, one of the other reasons more women seem to be thinking about having their implants extracted or swapped is a shift in aesthetic preferences and overall fashion trends. The demand for smaller, more modest, and natural-looking implant sizes has grown, as women are opting for subtle curves instead of the exaggerated Pamela Anderson look of the ’90s.

For some women, very large implants can even get in the way of certain physical activities and make it difficult to find bras or tops that fit properly. Others may go through lifestyle changes and may no longer want the same look they did when they were younger. Explants are performed most frequently on women in their mid-30s to 50s.

Patients at Chapin Aesthetics have received satisfying results from breast revision surgeries. In one case, for example, a woman decided on smaller implants and found that the surgery had a positive impact on her emotional state, self-esteem, and relationships. She felt more attractive, grew closer to her husband, and their intimacy improved. Other people began to take her more seriously.

Another patient had never liked the large size of her implants, believing that they didn’t suit her personality, so she became more dissatisfied with their appearance as her breasts changed naturally with age. After having explant surgery and a breast lift, she said that she loved her new look. To make things even better, she found it easier to exercise and lose weight afterward, and she no longer dreaded mammograms, which had been uncomfortable with her previous implants.

Some women are choosing to exchange their implants for modern silicone devices, known as “gummy bear” implants that are filled with a viscous, cohesive gel that doesn’t leak into the surrounding tissues in the event of a rupture. These implants tend to have a longer lifespan, on average.

No matter the details, note that explant surgeries can be complex. If you’re planning to have your implants removed for good or have smaller ones put in, always choose a highly skilled, trained, experienced, and board-certified plastic surgeon.

Want to learn more about breast implant illness and explant surgery? Contact Chapin Aesthetics in the Philadelphia area by calling (267) 880-0810, or submit a contact form to request an appointment.