Breast augmentation has been a highly popular procedure for many years. The procedure allows women to enhance their breast size, shape, and cleavage. However, there is a procedure that “reverses” breast augmentation. Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure that removes breast implants from a patient who has undergone breast augmentation.

The reasoning behind a breast implant removal can vary from patient to patient. Some women decide it’s time to remove their breast implants due to complications, health concerns, or simply a change in aesthetic goals. Whatever reason a patient is curious about breast implant removal, most wish to know what the procedure entails, along with other details about it.

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See the Difference: Breast Implant Removal Before & After Photos

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Real Stories: Breast Implant Removal Patient Reviews

“Dr. Agullo is an amazing surgeon but also an amazing human being. Meeting him, you feel calm, reassured, and safe. I have been his patient, I have watched him do surgery (I work in the medical field), and I have had the opportunity to hear and see what he is like when he works. So I went in for a consultation and had my surgery. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself, and Dr. Agullo is such a blessing in EL PASO, Texas! Thank you, thank you for coming back to El Paso to help those of us who needed you to feel whole again.”

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“Great experience from start to finish! Dr. Agullo was the kindest doctor! The entire staff was kind and professional. I highly recommend Dr. Agullo and staff!”

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Breast Implant Removal Cost in El Paso & Flexible Financing Options

Plastic surgery is highly customizable and a unique experience for every patient, so its cost will not be the same for everyone, even if two people undergo the same procedure. However, it’s helpful to know the average cost of breast implant removal to get an idea of what to expect.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for breast implant removal is $3,979, although this is only part of it. Other factors that influence the price include the extent of the surgery, the surgeon’s fee, facility and anesthesia fees, the post-operative fee, and other related expenses. During your consultation, Dr. Agullo will provide an accurate cost estimate so you can be fully informed about your breast implant removal. Patients will be charged $100 for the consultation, which will be applied to the total cost of your surgery.

At Southwest Plastic Surgery, patients can access financing options through payment plans. This is favorable if you prefer to pay in installments and want more flexibility. Additionally, the practice has a current fee schedule that provides insight into the approximate cost of each procedure offered. The exact price for each can only be determined after a thorough consultation.

Why Choose Dr. Agullo for Your Breast Implant Removal?

It’s essential to choose a plastic surgeon that you trust and feel safe with. This will give you peace of mind during the breast implant removal process, from the initial consultation all the way to post-operative care.

Dr. Frank Agullo, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, is internationally recognized as Dr. WorldWide. His practice brings visitors from around the United States, with more than half of his patients traveling from outside of El Paso. Dr. Agullo has extensive training and experience, from his medical degree and residencies and fellowships to being recognized as the Best Plastic Surgeon in El Paso for 13 years.

Dr. Agullo has a strong aesthetic philosophy built around preserving the body’s existing anatomy to achieve natural-looking results. He will perform your breast implant removal in his accredited outpatient surgery center, where your safety and comfort are the most important aspects of surgery, and where the procedure is backed by recent technology, modern installations, and absolute privacy.

Book Your Breast Implant Removal Consultation Today

If you underwent a breast augmentation and believe it’s time to start considering breast implant removal, call (915) 590-7900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation with Dr. Agullo at his Southwest Plastic Surgery practice.

What Is Breast Implant Removal?

Breast implant removal, also known as explant surgery, is the process of removing saline or silicone implants from the breasts. Since implants are not lifetime devices, it’s common to replace or exchange them after 10–15 years. This decision is usually based on the patient’s needs and cosmetic goals.

Breast implant removal is often executed due to the following reasons:

  • Capsule contracture: A common complication that occurs after a breast augmentation. The scar tissue that forms around the breast implant can tighten and harden, causing the implant to migrate, the breast to distort, or discomfort.
  • A ruptured breast implant: Occurs when there is a tear in the outer silicone shell, causing the filling to leak and rippling to form on the breast skin.
  • Address symptoms related to breast implant illness (BII): This term is used to describe a wide collection of symptoms related to breast augmentation. Common BII symptoms include headaches, joint and muscle pain, hair loss, chronic fatigue, or anxiety and depression.
  • Discontent with current implants: Personal preferences and lifestyle choices are always evolving. Some patients may want to downsize their breast implants or exchange them in a breast revision to fit their new aesthetic goal.

Depending on your health concerns and specific goals, specialized procedures may be part of your surgery.

Benefits of Breast Implant Removal

Breast implant removal has several physical and psychological advantages, such as the following:

  • Lowers the risk of breast cancer
  • Relieves pain, discomfort, and BII symptoms
  • Easier mammogram readings
  • Resolves complications
  • Eliminates the upkeep of your breast implants

Many patients feel a sense of emotional relief knowing a foreign device is no longer in their body after experiencing any discomforts associated with their breast implants.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Breast Implant Removal?

Ideal candidates for breast implant removal are in overall good health, nonsmokers, and at a stable weight. Other indicators that a patient is a good breast implant removal candidate include:

  • Experiencing pain or discomfort
  • Experiencing complications (e.g., capsular contracture or a rupture)
  • Unhappiness with the current shape, size, or weight of their breast implants
  • Having realistic expectations about their results

To see if you’re a candidate for breast implant removal, schedule your consultation with Dr. Agullo. An honest conversation can be the beginning of benefiting from this procedure.

How Is Breast Implant Removal Performed?

During the procedure, patients will be put under general anesthesia to ensure their comfort and safety. Once medicated, Dr. Agullo will place the incision typically in the same location where the implants were initially inserted during breast augmentation. Afterward, the implant and any excess scar tissue or silicone leakage will be removed. Once this is complete, Dr. Agullo will close the incision using skin adhesives or sutures.

If your surgery is more complex due to a capsular contracture, Dr. Agullo will perform one of three techniques that fit your specific needs:

Partial or Subtotal Capsulectomy

This approach is used when only part of the capsule has calcified around the breast implant. Dr. Agullo only removes the problematic, thickened scar tissue to reduce pressure on the implant. The body gradually absorbs the remaining capsule tissue.

Total Capsulectomy

In a total capsulectomy, the capsule is completely removed around the breast implant. The excision of the capsule is usually done in sections. This approach is preferred for severe capsule contractures or a ruptured breast implant.

En Bloc Capsulectomy

During an en bloc capsulectomy, Dr. Agullo removes the breast implant and the capsule together as a single unit. This approach is usually used if an implant leakage or rupture is suspected and to prevent the implant material from spilling into other parts of the body. An en bloc capsulectomy is common among patients with BII or invasive cancer cases. This type of approach also comes with a much longer incision and an extended recovery time.

Breast Implant Removal Recovery & Aftercare

Recovering after breast implant removal is just as important as the procedure itself. You want to make sure you follow Dr. Agullo’s post-operative care instructions to achieve beautiful results and avoid any mishaps.

Weeks 1–2

Swelling, bruising, and soreness are at their peak by the third day. Avoid lifting your arms past your shoulders and any heavy lifting. You can usually resume driving once you are done taking your prescribed medications. Patients may also be able to return to desk jobs by the end of the second week.

Weeks 3–4

Swelling has significantly improved, and there is usually greater upper-body mobility.

Weeks 6–8

By this stage, most patients are usually cleared to gradually return to exercise.

Months 3–6

Patients can expect their breasts to settle into their new shape, and incision scars will continue to mature and fade.

A few tips to keep in mind to ensure a safe healing process are to wear your surgical bra at all times during the first two to four weeks of recovery, keep your body elevated and sleep on your back, and keep your incisions clean and dry. If you received non-dissolvable sutures, they are typically removed within 7–14 days.

What Results Can I Expect From Breast Implant Removal?

Patients can expect their breasts to appear smaller after breast implant removal. Exact changes depend on the patient’s natural breast tissue volume, implant size, skin elasticity, and how long the implants have been in place.

Some key aesthetic changes include volume loss, sagging, scarring, and skin retraction. Many patients choose to combine their breast implant removal with a breast lift or fat grafting to restore breast shape and remove excess stretched skin.

Follow Dr. WorldWide

You can watch Dr. WorldWide perform the body lift procedure and more! Follow Dr. Frank Agullo, aka “Dr. WorldWide,” on Snapchat under the username RealDrWorldWide.

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