Breast Explant and Lift: Ultimate Confidence 2025

Understanding Your Options for Breast Implant Removal and Improvement

A breast explant and lift is a procedure that combines the removal of breast implants with a breast lift (mastopexy) to restore a natural, youthful breast contour. This approach is ideal for women who want to remove their implants and address the sagging or deflation that can result.

Key facts about breast explant and lift procedures:

• What it involves: Complete implant removal plus breast tissue reshaping and lifting.
• Typical duration: 2-3 hours under general anesthesia.
• Recovery time: About 2 weeks off work, with strenuous activity avoided for 4-6 weeks.
• Cost range: $13,000-$17,000+, depending on complexity.
• Best candidates: Women with sagging breasts who want natural results after implant removal.
• Benefits: A single surgery and recovery period to address stretched skin and tissue.

Many women choose to remove their implants due to complications like capsular contracture, concerns about Breast Implant Illness (BII), or simply a desire for a more natural look. Since implants are not lifelong devices, removal is often necessary after 10-15 years. However, removing implants alone can leave the breasts looking deflated. A breast lift performed at the same time corrects this by removing excess skin and reshaping the breast tissue for a perkier appearance.

I’m Dr. Mark Anton, and with 33 years of specialized breast surgery experience, I’ve helped countless women through the breast explant and lift journey at OC Breast Surgery in Newport Beach. My background in breast reconstruction and revision surgery allows me to create natural-looking results that restore both confidence and comfort.

Why Women Choose Breast Implant Removal

The decision to remove breast implants is deeply personal. While breast augmentation is a popular procedure, implants are not lifetime devices. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends replacement or removal every 10-15 years. Many women choose removal due to life changes like pregnancy or aging, while others simply desire a more natural aesthetic.

Common reasons for explantation include:

• Medical Concerns: Complications such as capsular contracture (hardening of the scar tissue around the implant), implant rupture or leakage, and concerns about Breast Implant Illness (BII)—a collection of systemic symptoms like fatigue and joint pain—are primary drivers. In rare cases, a type of cancer called BIA-ALCL necessitates immediate removal. You can find More info about Capsular Contracture and More info about Breast Implant Illness Symptoms on our site.
• Aesthetic & Personal Reasons: Many women feel their implants no longer fit their lifestyle or body image and wish to return to a more natural look.

Understanding Your Explantation Options

When removing implants, the surgeon also addresses the capsule, which is the scar tissue that naturally forms around the implant. The right technique depends on your health, implant type, and goals.

• Simple Removal (Subcapsular Explantation): The surgeon removes the implant, leaving the healthy capsule behind to be absorbed by the body. This is the least invasive option with a smaller incision.
• Total Capsulectomy: The surgeon removes the implant and the entire capsule. This is often recommended for issues like capsular contracture or implant rupture.
• En-bloc Capsulectomy: The implant and capsule are removed together as a single unit. This is the most meticulous technique, often used for ruptured silicone implants or when BIA-ALCL is a concern, as it prevents any leakage of contents. It requires a larger incision and is technically more demanding.

During your consultation, we will discuss the best approach for your specific needs. You can find Additional information about breast implant removal from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

What Breasts Look Like After Explant (Without a Lift)

It’s crucial for patients to have realistic expectations about their breast appearance after implant removal, especially if a lift is not performed concurrently. When breast implants are removed, the breasts will revert to their natural volume.

The most significant change is often related to stretched skin and volume loss. The skin and breast tissues stretch over time to accommodate the implants. Once the implants are removed, this stretched skin may not fully contract, leading to:

• Ptosis (Sagging or Drooping): The breasts may appear to sag, especially if the original implants were large or in place for many years.
• Deflated Appearance: Without the implant volume, the breasts can look flattened or empty, particularly in the upper portion.
• Nipple Position Changes: The nipples and areolas may point downwards or sit lower on the breast mound.
• Altered Shape: The breasts may lose their rounded shape and appear wider or less defined.

The final appearance without a lift depends on your natural breast tissue, implant size, and skin elasticity. For many women, especially those with larger implants or less elastic skin, a breast lift is essential to address these aesthetic concerns and achieve a more pleasing result.

The Combined Breast Explant and Lift Procedure: What to Expect

For many women, combining implant removal with a breast lift offers the most satisfying results. This single-surgery approach addresses the sagging and deflation that often occurs after explantation, restoring a youthful, natural breast contour with one recovery period. You can learn More info about Corrective Breast Surgery on our website to understand how these procedures fit into the broader category of breast revision surgery.

Benefits of a Combined Breast Explant and Lift

A combined procedure addresses multiple concerns at once, providing a comprehensive rejuvenation. Key benefits include:

• Addresses Sagging: Removes excess skin that was stretched by the implants.
• Reshapes Breast Tissue: Uses techniques like auto-augmentation to create better projection and fullness with your own tissue.
• Repositions the Nipple: The nipple and areola are moved to a more youthful, forward-facing position.
• Improves Symmetry: Corrects asymmetries that may have developed over time.
• Efficiency: Combines two procedures into one surgical event, with one anesthesia fee and one recovery period.

The Surgical Process Step-by-Step

A breast explant and lift is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 2-3 hours.

1. Incisions: The incision pattern (anchor, lollipop, or periareolar) is chosen based on the amount of lift required.
2. Implant and Capsule Removal: The implants and their surrounding capsules are carefully removed using the most appropriate technique for your situation.
3. Tissue Reshaping and Skin Excision: Excess skin is removed, and the remaining breast tissue is reshaped to create a new, lifted contour. This may involve auto-augmentation, where your own tissue is used to improve volume.
4. Nipple Repositioning: The nipple-areola complex is moved to a higher, more central position on the new breast mound.
5. Closure: The incisions are closed with layered sutures to minimize scarring.

For patients seeking the most advanced results, we offer specialized techniques like our More info about the Super Breast Lift.

Recovery and Timeline

Recovery from a breast explant and lift is a gradual process.

• Immediately After Surgery: You will wear a surgical support bra. Most patients go home the same day.
• First 1-2 Weeks: This is the primary recovery period. Plan to take time off work and avoid driving. Swelling and discomfort are normal and managed with medication.
• 4-6 Weeks: You can gradually return to light activities. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting must be avoided to allow for proper healing.
• 3-6 Months: Swelling continues to subside, and your new breast shape becomes more defined. Scars will begin to fade.
• 6-12 Months: Your results are considered final as the breasts settle into their new position and scars mature.

Following all post-operative instructions is crucial for a smooth recovery. For more details, see our guide on More info about Breast Revision Surgery Recovery Time.

Am I a Good Candidate and What are the Considerations?

Deciding on a breast explant and lift is a significant choice. A thorough consultation is essential to determine if this procedure aligns with your aesthetic goals and medical needs. We will evaluate your health, discuss your reasons for implant removal, and create a surgical plan custom to you.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Breast Explant and Lift?

You may be a good candidate for this procedure if you:

• Are bothered by breast sagging (ptosis) or a deflated appearance.
• Have significant skin laxity from your implants.
• Have downward-pointing nipples.
• Desire a natural, lifted result without implants.
• Have sufficient natural breast tissue for reshaping.
• Are in good physical health, a non-smoker, and at a stable weight.
• Have realistic expectations about the outcome, including a reduction in breast size.

Potential Risks and Financial Costs

As with any surgery, a breast explant and lift has potential risks, including infection, bleeding, hematoma (blood collection), seroma (fluid buildup), unfavorable scarring, asymmetry, and changes in nipple or breast sensation. We will discuss these risks in detail during your consultation.

The cost of a breast explant and lift typically ranges from $13,000 to $17,000+, depending on the complexity of your case. This fee generally includes the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and facility costs. While most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures, some may provide coverage for medically necessary removals (e.g., for capsular contracture or BIA-ALCL). We offer financing options to help make the procedure more accessible.

For those interested in the technical aspects, you can read A scientific look at a Combined Breast Implant Explantation and Mastopexy Technique.

Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Explant and Lift

Will my breasts be much smaller after a breast explant and lift?

Yes, your breasts will be smaller because the volume from the implant is removed. However, the final size depends on your natural breast tissue. The lift component reshapes this tissue, often creating a surprisingly full and proportionate appearance. For those who desire more volume, a Breast Lift with Fat Transfer can be an option later on.

What kind of scarring can I expect?

Scars are an unavoidable part of a breast lift, as excess skin must be removed. The most common incision pattern is the “anchor,” which runs around the areola, down to the breast crease, and along the crease. These incisions are placed to be concealed by most bras and swimwear. While permanent, scars typically fade significantly over 12 to 18 months with proper care.

How is this different from a breast implant revision?

The goal of a breast explant and lift is to remove implants permanently and reshape the natural breast tissue. In contrast, a Breast Implant Revision involves replacing old implants with new ones, sometimes in combination with a lift, to address issues like rupture, capsular contracture, or a desire for a different size.

Your Path to a Renewed Confidence in Newport Beach, CA

Choosing to undergo a breast explant and lift is a significant step toward renewed confidence. The most important part of this journey is selecting an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast revision and explantation procedures. This expertise is crucial for navigating the complexities of implant removal and achieving beautiful, natural-looking results.

At OC Breast Surgery in Newport Beach, Dr. Mark Anton brings 33 years of specialized experience to every procedure. He is renowned for his skill in correcting complications from previous surgeries and creating outcomes that restore both comfort and confidence. His background in breast reconstruction and revision surgery makes him uniquely qualified to handle even the most challenging cases.

We invite you to schedule a consultation to discuss your goals. We will assess your unique situation, explain all your options, and develop a customized surgical plan. Our commitment is to provide you with the highest level of care, guiding you toward a result that makes you feel comfortable in your own skin.

To see examples of our work, please View our Breast Implant Removal Patient Gallery. For more information, you can also Learn more about Breast Implant Removal on our website.