Sometimes what goes in, must come out. In the case of breast augmentation, breast implant removal, also known as explant surgery, is a surgical procedure that removes (or explants) the implants from the breast pocket. If you’re thinking of having breast implant removal, Dr. Barrett should be your top choice in your search for the best breast explant surgeon. To start, your goals are always top of mind, and he’ll provide you with every option available to ensure you look your best after your implants have been removed. He may suggest a breast lift for a perky, youthful look post-removal. Another option he suggests to his breast implant removal patients is a fat transfer to the breasts: a two-part process that takes excess, unwanted fat from one part of the body through liposuction and injects it into the breast to enhance their size and shape. Finally, if replacing your implants is your choice, he’ll ensure your new implants are proportional to your body so that they look as natural as possible.

How to choose an explant surgeon?

Choosing a surgeon is a very personal decision, and comes down to the comfort you feel with your doctor. While there’s no way to tell who you’ll feel most comfortable with, there are some things you should look for during your search for an explant surgeon. The most important thing to look for is how thorough your consultation is, particularly regarding questions.

There are several questions to ask about explant surgery (and questions you should expect) during your plastic surgery consultation:

  1. Are you experiencing any symptoms? Things like hair loss, weight loss and chronic fatigue which may or may not be caused by your implants, so it’s important to discuss these symptoms with both your plastic surgeon and your primary care physician to rule out any other conditions.
  2.  How old are your implants? Most implants have a lifespan of about 10 to 20 years inside the body, however Dr. Barrett (and the FDA) recommend replacing your breast implants every 10 years to avoid any complications.
  3. Are you happy with how your breast implants look?. We’re constantly evolving, and with that comes evolving tastes and preferences. If you feel your implants no longer fit who you are today, that’s OK! Life, pregnancy and breastfeeding may have changed the way your breast implants look.
  4. Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort? If your implants are causing you any pain or discomfort, it can be due to scar tissue build-up, breast implants that are too large for your body, or additional weight on your chest causing neck and shoulder strain.
  5. What are the signs of capsular contracture? Breast implant capsular contracture is a complication that occurs when the scar tissue that usually forms around your implant to help keep it in place, instead tightens and squeezes the implant, potentially resulting in chronic pain and a distorted breast shape, making the affected breast rise higher on the chest than the other.
  6. What are the signs of a silicone breast implant rupture? Signs of a rupture include things like burning, tingling or numbness, the formation of lumps or hard knots and changes to the appearance of the breasts.
  7. Has your weight loss impacted your breast implants? If you’ve lost significant amounts of weight you may notice wrinkles or ripples on your skin from your implant. You may also notice palatability, which is when you can feel these wrinkles when you touch your breast. Dr. Barrett can work with you to reposition an implant, change the type of implant used, or address any loose or stretched out skin.

What do breasts look like after implants are removed?

Another reason to choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Barrett for the removal of your breast implants is to ensure you love your new results. You may need a breast lift along with your breast implant removal to maintain a perky, youthful shape and position to the breasts. Another option to consider is a fat transfer breast augmentation: a two-fold process that takes excess, unwanted fat from one part of the body through liposuction and injects it into the breast to achieve an enhanced size and shape.

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