Breast Explant Surgery Results in Dallas, TX: What to Expect

Many patients choose to remove their breast implants for personal, health, or lifestyle reasons. Patient dissatisfaction with the appearance or feel of implants is also a common motivator for breast explant. If you’re considering explant surgery with Edgar Bedolla, M.D., in Dallas, TX, this guide lays out what your breasts might look like afterward, when you’ll see final results, and what the journey looks like from the OR to full recovery.

Table of Contents

• What Is Breast Implant Removal (Explant) Surgery?
• Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
• The Explant Procedure
• Post-Surgery Recovery and Healing
• How Will My Breasts Look After Explant Surgery?
• When Will I See My Complete Explant Results?
• What Explant Surgery Results Feel Like—Beyond Appearance
• When a Lift or Revision Might Be Recommended
• Is Explant Surgery Right for You?

What Is Breast Implant Removal (Explant) Surgery?

Explant surgery (breast implant removal) involves removing silicone or saline implants and sometimes the surrounding scar tissue without necessarily replacing them. Explant surgery can involve different BES techniques, such as partial capsulectomy or total capsulectomy, depending on the patient’s needs. Some patients opt for a flat closure, while others combine the removal with a lift (mastopexy), fat transfer, or other additional aesthetic procedures to reshape their breasts. 

When removing scar tissue, the fibrous capsule, or scar capsule, that forms around the implant may be partially or entirely removed. Removing the entire capsule is sometimes necessary for certain complications, such as capsular contracture, BIA-ALCL, or implant rupture.

Reconstructive options may include the use of tissue expanders or new implants to restore breast contour in some cases.

Dr. Bedolla evaluates each patient’s natural breast tissue, skin elasticity, implant history, and aesthetic goals to recommend a personalized plan. Surgical planning includes assessing BES techniques and the importance of choosing the right approach based on retrospective chart review and systematic review evidence. The initial surgery, including implant placement, is also considered when planning explantation.

Reasons for explantation can include implant infection, common complications such as capsular contracture or rupture, and symptoms of breast implant illness. Autoimmune disorders and autoimmune disease exacerbation have also been associated with breast implants.

Reasons for Breast Implant Removal

There are many reasons why patients choose breast implant removal, also known as explant surgery. For some, the decision is personal; perhaps their aesthetic preferences have changed, or they no longer feel comfortable with breast implants. Others may experience dissatisfaction with the appearance or feel of their implants, or have unresolved issues after previous corrective surgeries.

Medical necessity is another everyday driver for implant removal. Complications such as capsular contracture (where scar tissue tightens around the implant), implant rupture or leakage, dynamic distortion, pain, limited range of motion, implant displacement, frequent infections, or even implant extrusion can all make explant surgery the best option. In these cases, removing the implants and the surrounding scar tissue capsule can relieve symptoms and restore comfort.

Rare but serious complications can also prompt breast implant removal. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare T-cell lymphoma that develops in the scar tissue capsule and fluid around breast implants, most often linked to textured implants. 

Whether the reason is cosmetic, medical, or a combination of both, explant surgery is a safe and effective way to address issues related to breast implants and improve overall well-being.

The Explant Procedure

The explant procedure is a carefully planned surgical process designed to remove breast implants safely and, when necessary, the surrounding scar tissue. Typically lasting two to three hours, the surgery is performed under general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout.

Your plastic surgeon will make precise incisions, often along the original breast augmentation scars, to minimize the appearance of new scars. The implants are then gently removed, along with any surrounding scar tissue or capsule that may have formed. If internal complications such as capsular contracture or implant rupture are discovered during surgery, your surgeon will address these issues to optimize your outcome.

Once the implants and scar tissue are removed, the incisions are meticulously closed to promote minimal scarring and a natural breast appearance. The specific technique used for explant surgery depends on factors such as the type and condition of your implants, the amount of scar tissue present, and your overall health.

It’s important to note that explant surgery is different from breast revision surgery, which typically involves replacing old implants or adjusting their placement rather than complete implant removal. With explant surgery, the focus is on restoring your natural breast contour and addressing any complications related to your previous breast augmentation.

Post-surgery Recovery and Healing

Recovery after breast implant removal surgery is a crucial part of the healing process. Most patients spend about a week resting at home, focusing on hydration and gentle self-care to support recovery. While many can return to light daily activities within a few days, it’s important to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and other intense physical activity for four to six weeks to allow your body to heal properly.

Dr. Bedolla will provide detailed post-operative instructions, including how to care for your incisions, manage discomfort, and use supportive garments to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal. Regular follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor your progress, address any concerns, and ensure you achieve the best possible results.

Most patients experience a smooth recovery with proper guidance and support from their surgical team. By following Dr. Bedolla’s instructions and attending all follow-up appointments, you can help ensure a safe recovery and optimal outcome from your explant surgery.

The average cost of breast implant removal surgery is several thousand dollars. Still, it’s essential to know that the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) of 1998 requires group health plans covering mastectomy also to cover reconstructive procedures, including breast implant removal surgery and subsequent flat closure or flap reconstruction, if the mastectomy is medically necessary. However, we don’t work with health insurance providers. If cost is a limiting factor for you, search for a surgeon who can help file those requests, but understand the final decision about coverage will be dependent on your health care insurance provider’s review.

How Will My Breasts Look After Explant Surgery?

What your breasts look like after explant surgery depends on several factors: your natural breast tissue, how long you had implants, the implant size, and your skin’s elasticity. 

Because everybody is different, those outcomes vary. Patients with good skin elasticity and more natural breast tissue tend to bounce back with a more natural breast contour. Those whose skin stretched significantly over the years may notice more sagging or need a lift to reshape the breast envelope. Many surgeons, including Dr. Bedolla, discuss the possibility of combining a breast lift with explant surgery during your consultation.

When Will I See My Complete Explant Results?

You’ll notice immediate changes right after surgery, but complete, final results take time. Here’s a typical recovery timeline based on medical research and real‑world patient experiences:

• First few days: You’ll likely feel groggy from anesthesia. You may notice swelling, bruising, and tenderness. That’s normal. Excess fluid may accumulate in the surgical area, and drains are sometimes placed to remove it and help prevent complications such as seroma or hematoma. 
• Weeks 1–2: Most patients can return to light daily activities within a week. Comfort improves; swelling begins to decrease. 
• Weeks 3–6: Bruising and discomfort subside further. The skin and breast tissue begin to settle. Some patients start light, non‑strenuous activities. 
• Months 3–6: Fluid retention resolves, scars begin to fade from pink/red to a softer tone, and the final breast shape becomes more apparent. For many, this timeframe marks the point when they see the “true” result of their explant surgery. 
• Months 7–12: Full tissue remodeling, scar maturation, and adjustment of skin over underlying tissue may continue. The final aesthetic, including softness, breast contour, and skin texture, may settle fully by the one‑year mark. 

Because each body heals differently, individual results vary. Dr. Bedolla monitors healing closely and provides clear post‑op instructions to support optimal recovery and results. Imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging or other breast imaging, may be used to assess healing, identify imaging features or the breast’s imaging appearance, and monitor for complications. Imaging reports are essential for documenting post-surgical changes and identifying BES findings, such as residual tissue or abnormalities. In cases of implant rupture, silicone can migrate to axillary lymph nodes, which may require monitoring for lymphadenopathy or other complications.

What Explant Surgery Results Feel Like—Beyond Appearance

Beyond how your breasts look, many patients notice practical and emotional benefits after explant surgery:

• They often feel lighter and more comfortable. Without the weight of implants, the shoulders, back, and posture can feel less strained.
• Clothing fits differently and often more naturally. Some patients appreciate returning to a smaller, more natural shape under clothes.
• They regain a sense of authenticity and comfort with their body. Removing implants can feel freeing for those who no longer resonate with an augmented look.

Still, explant surgery changes a familiar part of your body. It can be emotionally and physically challenging, but many patients find that the final outcome is surprisingly freeing and empowering when done for the right reason.

When a Lift or Revision Might Be Recommended

If your skin stretched significantly or you’ve had large implants for years, you may experience excess skin or sagging after explantation. In those cases, Dr. Bedolla may recommend a breast lift (mastopexy) or fat transfer to reshape and lift the breasts, restoring a more youthful, natural contour. 

Adding a lift or fat grafting can refine the explant result. Many patients choose one of these options to avoid a deflated or sagging appearance and maintain a natural, elevated profile.

Is Explant Surgery Right for You?

Explant surgery works well for those who:

• Feel their implants no longer align with their lifestyle or body goals
• Want to return to a more natural breast appearance
• Value comfort over volume
• Accept that a lift or revision might become necessary for skin tightening or reshaping.

At your consultation with Dr. Bedolla, he’ll review your implant history, skin quality, and desired outcome. He’ll help you set realistic expectations, including how your breasts will look immediately after surgery and months down the line.

Learn More About Explant Surgery in Dallas, TX

Explant surgery doesn’t just remove implants; it marks a new chapter with your body. It offers a path back to a more natural shape, frees you from implant‑related weight, and often brings renewed comfort and confidence.

You might lose fullness and projection. You might see sagging or a softer breast profile. You may need a lift or revision down the line. But with a skilled surgeon like Dr. Bedolla, many patients find the result exactly what they hoped for: genuine, authentic, and theirs.

To learn more about breast explant surgery in Dallas, call us at (214) 910-5582 (ext. 102) or complete our online contact form. We look forward to guiding you on your breast explant journey.