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Houston Breast Implant Removal Specialist Dr. Scott Reis is an experienced cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon offering personalized options for Breast Implant Removal, also known as explant surgery procedures. Dr. Reis will combine the meticulous surgical skill honed during years of clinical and surgical experience to achieve your unique goals.
- Your Breast Implant Removal Consultation
- How Does Breast Implant Removal Surgery Work?
- En Bloc Breast Implant Removal
- Total Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal
- Breast Implant Removal Surgery Replacement
- Breast Implant Removal Surgery With Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
- Breast Implant Removal Surgery With Fat Grafting
- Breast Implant Removal Recovery & Results
- Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Implant Removal Surgery
Your Breast Implant Removal Consultation
Your consultation appointment with Dr. Reis will take place at either his state-of-the-art Houston office or The Woodlands office location, and is an integral part of your treatment journey. Dr. Reis is known for his collaborative approach to any procedure; he’ll take as much time as is necessary to understand your concerns, answer any questions you may have, and provide you with a comprehensive picture of your options. You can also use your consultation as an opportunity for you and Dr. Reis to discuss what happens after your explant surgery—whether that is a breast lift, fat transfer, or another breast procedure—based on the results you want to achieve.
How Does Breast Implant Removal Surgery Work?
Dr. Reis will determine your treatment plan during your consultation and make sure you completely understand your pre-and post-op instructions as well as the details of your procedure during your pre-surgical appointments. It’s important to remember that Breast Implant Removal, like any cosmetic surgery, is unique to each individual as everyone’s goals are as different as is their anatomy. Explant surgery is generally an outpatient procedure performed with total intravenous anesthesia where you are fully asleep and unaware, but still breathing on your own unlike with general anesthesia. Dr. Reis will do everything he can to utilize your original incision locations to minimize any new scarring. If new incisions must be created, he will make every effort to reduce any visible scarring by locating the new incisions in the natural folds and transition zones of the skin as much as possible. Your surgical plan will depend on a number of factors, such as the type of implants you have and their position, your reasons for removing them, and whether or not you’re choosing to place new breast implants. Below are some of the most common techniques for Breast Implant Removal surgery.
En Bloc Breast Implant Removal
The most common long-term complication with breast augmentation with implants is capsular contracture. This is a condition that occurs when the body responds to the foreign object—in this case, the breast implants—by forming a hard “capsule” of scar tissue around them. All implants that are placed in the body, regardless of where naturally form a capsule, but this can become an issue over time if the capsule contracts which can lead to visual distortion of the breasts as well as be painful. The en bloc breast implant removal method removes the intact capsule from each breast complete with the breast implant inside.
Total Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal
On rare occasions, using the en bloc removal method is not possible due to implant positioning, size, or the degree of contracture, in which case Dr. Reis may decide to perform a Breast Implant Removal using a total capsulectomy technique. In this approach, Dr. Reis will remove the breast implant first through an incision in the scar tissue capsule. Once the implant is removed, he will excise the capsule and any remaining scar tissue.
Breast Implant Removal Surgery Replacement
Most patients that have Breast Implant Removal Surgery choose to have Breast Implant Replacement with different implants. Often patients feel they would be unhappy with the appearance of their breasts after implants from their initial augmentation are removed. Most chose new breast implants that are smaller and more subtle as a replacement.
Breast Implant Removal Surgery With Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Many patients who decide to undergo Breast Implant Removal surgery have concerns regarding a deflated or sagging appearance to their breasts after explant surgery. Depending on goals and medical history, a breast lift (mastopexy) may be combined with explant surgery to create natural-looking breasts that are perky and full.
Breast Implant Removal Surgery With Fat Grafting
Like those who choose Breast Implant Replacement or Mastopexy, patients who decide to have Fat Grafting after Implant Removal Surgery have concerns with breasts that may appear deflated once their implants are removed. Fat Grafting offers patients a natural-looking moderate augmentation. During the Fat Grafting procedure, Dr. Reis will use liposuction to remove fat from other parts of the body, most commonly the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. Dr. Reis then places this fat in the breasts to provide additional volume and projection.
Breast Implant Removal Recovery & Results
After your Breast Implant Removal surgery, it is common to experience temporary swelling and bruising and some pain, which Dr. Reis will treat with medication to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. While these symptoms will subside day-by-day, Dr. Reis recommends that his patients take one week off of work, and avoid any strenuous activity for 4 to 6 weeks following surgery. After your surgery, you will be given detailed post-operative instructions and scheduled for your follow-up appointments. It is typical for your natural breast tissue to take several months to completely heal—it is at this time that you will be able to see your final results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Implant Removal Surgery
What happens after my Breast Implant Removal Surgery?
There are numerous factors that will contribute to your appearance after Breast Implant Removal surgery, including your age, the size of your implants and the length of time you had them, and the natural elasticity of your skin. Dr. Reis will discuss all your options during your consultation appointment and help you determine if a fat transfer, breast lift, or other procedures should be part of your treatment plan to achieve your cosmetic goals. In general, Dr. Reis almost always recommends a breast lift in conjunction with Breast Implant Removal surgery. In some cases, a fat transfer may be indicated as well if the implants that are being removed are large or the patient doesn’t want to lose a significant amount of volume. Like all plastic surgery procedures, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to explant surgery. Each patient is unique in their goals and anatomy and Dr. Reis’s collaborative approach will arm you with the information you need to make the best decision for your body and goals.
What are the risks of Breast Implant Removal Surgery?
Every surgery has some risk of side effects or complications. The risks of explant surgery are similar to those you faced with your initial breast augmentation, and they include bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, scar tissue, numbness or other changes in skin or nipple and areola sensitivity, asymmetry, suboptimal scarring, as well as capsular contracture. Patient safety is of utmost importance to Dr. Reis and his practice only utilizes the most advanced methods to reduce the likelihood of any issues during or after surgery.
Am I a Candidate for Breast Implant Removal Surgery?
You are most likely a candidate for explant surgery if you:
- Do not smoke or use other nicotine-containing products
- Are at a healthy stable weight
- Are unhappy with the appearance of your breast implants
- Have capsular contracture causing pain and/or distortion of your breasts
- Want to change the size, shape, or positioning of your implants
- Have realistic expectations
Contact Dr. Reis for Breast Implant Removal Surgery in Houston
Dr. Reis is dedicated to using his extensive surgical training and meticulous skill to help his patients look and feel better. Contact us with any questions about Breast Implant Removal or to schedule your consultation appointment.
@drscottreis