October 20, 2026 Tags: breast implant removal, breast implant revision, breast procedures, capsulectomy, explant surgery, Nashville plastic surgery
Breast implants are not designed to last forever, and not every patient who gets them wants to keep them indefinitely. Whether the motivation is a desired change in size, concerns about symptoms a patient associates with their implants, complications like capsular contracture, or simply a preference to return to a natural breast, breast implant removal, often called explant surgery, is a legitimate and increasingly common procedure in its own right.
According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, common reasons patients pursue explant include a desire for a smaller or more natural appearance, device concerns such as rupture or rippling, capsular contracture, and systemic symptoms some patients associate with their implants. You can read more in their overview of breast implant removal.
The specifics of explant surgery depend heavily on why a patient is having it done and the condition of the tissue surrounding the implant. In straightforward cases, the implant can often be removed through the original incision. In cases involving capsular contracture or significant scar tissue, a capsulectomy, removal of the fibrous capsule that forms around the implant, is typically performed alongside the explant. An en bloc capsulectomy, in which the implant and capsule are removed together as a single unit, is often recommended when there is a specific concern about the capsule itself.
Full details on the different capsulectomy techniques and how they’re chosen are available on the breast implant revision procedure page.
One of the most common questions patients have is what their breast will look like after the implant is removed. The answer depends on several factors, including how long the implants were in place, the amount of the patient’s own breast tissue, and skin elasticity. Removing an implant can decrease volume and fullness, particularly in the upper breast, and some patients choose to pair explant with a breast lift or breast fat transfer at the same time to help manage that change and achieve the shape they’re hoping for.
To see how explant fits alongside other breast procedures, visit the breast procedures page.
Recovery from a straightforward implant removal is often easier than the original augmentation, with many patients returning to normal activity within a week. When a capsulectomy is performed alongside the removal, healing time is typically longer, since more tissue is affected. As with any breast procedure, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are restricted for several weeks while the tissue heals.
For patients who have been considering this decision for a while, a thorough consultation is the best way to understand exactly what to expect for your specific anatomy and goals.
To find out more, schedule a consultation with Dr. J. J. Wendel in Nashville at our contact page.
