Breast Implant Illness and Explant With Dr. Scott Chapin

With effects ranging from inflammation and allergy symptoms to systemic and chronic autoimmune diseases, a small number of women may experience moderate to severe reactions that may be linked to breast implants. Explant surgery is the only way to resolve the collection of complaints known as breast implant illness. Dr. Scott D. Chapin can also remove your implants if you have changed your mind about having larger breasts, have experienced a rupture or capsular contraction, or want to exchange your implants for newer devices.

Contact Chapin Aesthetics to schedule your consultation with a board-certified plastic surgery and breast specialist today! Our Doylestown location welcomes patients from Philadexlphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Lehigh County, Delaware County, and nearby communities.

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What Is Breast Implant Illness?

Breast implant illness is a novel condition. It’s not an official medical diagnosis, and your doctor may only suggest it after first ruling out many other health conditions. BII is a collection of complaints that some people with breast implants may experience, many of which can interfere with their daily ability to function.

BII symptoms may include:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Headaches
  • Memory or concentration problems
  • Dry mouth and eyes
  • Breathing problems
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Rashes or other skin problems
  • Sleep interruptions
  • Gastrointestinal problems

BII is not the same as rare types of cancer that develop in scar tissue and fluids surrounding breast implants, including:

  • Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma
  • Breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma
  • Other forms of lymphoma
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What Is Breast Explant Surgery?

Breast implants are not lifelong devices, so you should have them removed or exchanged approximately every 10 to 20 years to ensure their integrity and your health and wellness. While breast implants are reliable, older implants can create a higher risk of complications, including an increased risk of rupture at 1% each year. Explant surgery is an option for women who would like to remove or replace older implants. There are many reasons to pursue this surgery:

  • You dislike the appearance or heaviness of implants.
  • You want a different implant size, shape, or material.
  • Implants impact your lifestyle or preferred aesthetics.
  • You’re experiencing discomfort or pain from having larger breasts.
  • Your implants have tightened or hardened due to capsular contracture.
  • You have breast implant rupture, leakage, rippling, or migration.

Breast explant, also called breast revision or breast implant removal surgery, is a highly customized procedure that aims to restore the feel and appearance of breast implants, enhancing your overall figure and increasing your confidence.

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Other Breast Enhancement Procedures

To achieve optimal results, Dr. Chapin will help you determine which breast enhancement procedure will best suit your aesthetic goals and anatomy. Along with breast explant surgery, Dr. Chapin also performs:

Comprehensive Care, Superior Results

Dr. Scott D. Chapin is a highly specialized, board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced training in breast and aesthetic surgery. His extensive experience and expertise in the aesthetics industry deliver superior results that help patients achieve their aesthetic goals.

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Your BII and Breast Explant Surgery Consultation in Doylestown

During your consultation, Dr. Chapin will listen carefully to your goals and answer all your questions. Dr. Chapin will explain the procedure to ensure you are knowledgeable about the breast explant surgery risks and benefits. He wants you to have realistic expectations about how your breasts will look and feel after your explant surgery, so you can be an informed, confident patient.

If your concerns include sagging or misshapen breasts following implant removal, Dr. Chapin can suggest combining your explant procedure with an implant exchange, breast lift, or fat transfer for a more youthful, uplifted appearance.

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Breast Implant Removal Techniques

Dr. Chapin will use his expertise as a breast procedure specialist to recommend the best approach for your explant surgery.

  • Simple breast implant removal requires making incisions along the lower breast creases or around or below the areolas. It doesn’t remove scar tissue and involves minimal injury to surrounding tissues.
  • A total capsulectomy with breast implant removal removes the implant and scar tissue. Dr. Chapin may separate scar tissue from the implant and remove it in multiple pieces.
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Am I an Ideal Candidate for Breast Explant?

Generally, the best candidates for explant surgery are in good physical and mental health. To qualify for breast explant surgery candidacy, you may:

  • Dislike your implants’ size, shape, or material
  • Experience mental and physical discomfort from large, heavy breasts
  • Feel scar tissue is getting tighter or harder
  • Have experienced an implant leak or rupture
  • Have a suggested leak or rupture

Generally, Dr. Chapin suggests explant candidates should:

  • Be in good overall health
  • Not smoke, or be willing to quit before surgery
  • Not be pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have realistic expectations
  • Understand the surgical risks

Preparing for Breast Explant Surgery

As breast explant surgery is unique to each patient, Dr. Chapin customizes the procedure to achieve optimal results. Here are some common steps to expect.

Schedule a Consultation

Select only an experienced, board-certified, and well-regarded plastic surgeon. Request to see before-and-after photos to get an idea of your surgeon’s results.

Get Tested

Arrange for any medical evaluations, such as a mammogram, to assess your overall health.

Quit Smoking/Vaping

Smoking and nicotine impair the body’s ability to heal. Patients should stop smoking at least four weeks before their procedure and throughout recovery.

Stop Taking Medications or Supplements

For two weeks before your surgery, refrain from taking blood-thinning medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, or herbal supplements.

Eat Balanced Meals

Don’t crash diet before your procedure. Healthy, balanced meals will ensure proper nutrition to support your recovery.

Prepare for Recovery

Purchase the supplies and medications you’ll need. Arrange for assistance with household management and child care.

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What to Expect During Your Breast Explant Surgery in Philadelphia

Dr. Chapin performs breast explant procedures in a Bucks County or Montgomery County AAAASF-certified cosmetic surgery facility. 

You’ll arrive approximately an hour before your procedure to meet with Dr. Chapin and your anesthesia provider. Dr. Chapin and his team will review the details and answer any final questions you have. Your anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia as determined during your consultation. Dr. Chapin will make the incisions necessary to remove your silicone breast implants and their capsules. He sometimes removes saline breast implants in the office with a small incision.

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Breast Explant Surgery Recovery and Healing

Since breast implant removal surgery is an outpatient procedure, you will need someone to drive you and stay with you for at least 24 hours.

Following surgery, you’ll have dressings on your surgical sites, and Dr. Chapin may provide you with a surgical bra to minimize swelling and provide support. You will need to wear a supportive, non-underwire bra for several weeks. We’ll send you home with detailed aftercare instructions, including how to care for your incisions.

You may experience pressure or discomfort for one to three days following your procedure, and it may be difficult to lift your arms. If you have scar tissue removed, you may feel additional soreness. Typically, patients take a few days off from work following breast implant removal.

For at least two weeks, you should avoid strenuous exercise, but Dr. Chapin recommends short, light walks. You should be able to resume all typical activities in three to four weeks.

How Soon Will I See My Breast Explant Results?

Most breast implant removal patients notice changes to their overall figure immediately after surgery. Expect the initial swelling to subside and sensation to return in several weeks. It may take up to a year for your breasts to feel normal.

Breast implant removal results will vary depending on:

  • Implant size
  • Scar tissue quantity
  • Quantity and quality of remaining breast tissue
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How Much Does a Breast Explant Surgery Cost?

Breast explant cost varies by patient, depending on the procedural extent. During your consultation, Dr. Chapin will determine your Philadelphia breast explant cost. At that time, Dr. Chapin can direct you to our patient coordinator for information regarding financing.

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Choosing Dr. Chapin as Your Breast Explant Provider

For over 27 years, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Chapin has blended medical science, artistry, and humanity into every procedure. To ensure comfort and safety throughout your cosmetic surgery journey, Dr. Chapin and his team deliver outstanding results in a comfortable environment created to put you at ease, proving he is one of the best plastic surgeons in Pennsylvania.

Feel better and boost your confidence with the best breast explant procedure in Pennsylvania by scheduling your consultation with Dr. Chapin. 

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