Breast Explant Surgery: Procedure, Recovery and Costs

Although breast augmentation is one of the top cosmetic procedures, not everyone stays satisfied with their breast implants. Approximately 37,679 explant procedures, also referred to as breast implant removal, were performed in 2022, a 12% increase from 2019.¹

Explant surgery to remove breast implants may be a desirable choice for either personal reasons or out of medical necessity. If you are considering explant surgery, read on to learn more about the procedure, the recovery, estimated costs and how you can help pay for the procedure.

What Is Explant (Implant Removal) Surgery?

Explant surgery, also known as breast implant removal, is a procedure to surgically remove silicone or saline breast implants from an individual who has had a breast augmentation or a breast reconstruction. The procedure may also include removing scar tissue or leaked silicone.²

It is different from breast reduction, which is designed to reduce the size of natural breasts that do not have an implant.

Cost to Remove Breast Implants

The average cost* of breast explant surgery in the U.S. is $6,837. However, this price does not include anesthesia for the procedure, operating room costs, medications or other related expenses. The price for explant surgery may also vary based on the individual surgeon, the operating facility and geographic location.³

Breast explant costs by state

The cost* of breast explant surgery can vary depending on where you live:³

Reasons for Explant Surgery

Explant surgery may be a choice for either personal reasons or medical reasons:⁴

Personal reasons

• Not happy with results from breast implants

• Age, pregnancy and/or weight changes leading to dissatisfaction with implants

• Lifestyle change

• A desire to return to the body as it was

• A desire to replace the implant with a larger or smaller implant

Medical reasons

• Infection

• Rupture

• Migration of implant(s)

• Capsular contracture

• Back or neck pain

• Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare cancer that occurs in scar tissue around an implant and is more commonly seen with textured breast implants.

• Concerns that the breast implant is causing other medical conditions

What Happens During Explant Surgery?

Like many surgical procedures, a breast explant procedure includes a consultation, the procedure itself and a recovery period.

Explant surgery consultation

During a breast implant removal consultation, the surgeon will ask about your medical history, review your reasons for wanting the procedure and assess your desired outcome. The surgeon should review your options and explain the positives and negatives of any recommended procedures.⁵

Photographs and a breast examination are also part of an explant surgery consultation.⁵

What to expect during the procedure

During explant surgery, the patient will be given general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Then, an incision will be made, usually under the folds at the bottom of the breast or around the areola. The surgeon will remove the implant and scar tissue or leaked silicone, if needed.⁶

If you are replacing your implant, the new breast implant will be positioned. Finally, stitches, tape or glue may be used to close the incisions.⁶

Recovery from explant surgery

After the procedure, the breast may be wrapped in gauze, or patients may be given a support garment to wear. Some surgeons may install small drains under the skin to help remove excess fluid.⁷

Due to the sedation, you should plan to have someone drive you home from the procedure. You will also want someone to stay with you the first few nights for assistance.⁸

Make plans to limit normal activity like driving and cooking for yourself for the first one to two weeks, and expect that you may be sore and swollen for up to four weeks after explant surgery.⁸

Explant Surgery Recovery Tips

To help with recovery from a breast explant surgery, you may want to consider these recovery tips:⁸

• If you are able, take a week or two off from work.

• Stock up on books, movies or other activities that you can do in bed.

• Stay hydrated.

• Keep your necessities within reach — water, snacks, medications, your phone and a charger should all be close by.

• Stock up on healthy snacks and/or premade meals.

• Consider sleeping at an incline or in a recliner.

Potential Complications of Explant Surgery

As with any surgery, explant surgery can have complications. Discuss with your surgeon how to mitigate the chance of complications, including:⁸

• Breast asymmetry⁶

• Loose skin⁶

• Seroma

• Infection

• Scarring

• Numbness or changes in nipple sensation

Paying for Explant Surgery

Health insurance policies don't usually cover cosmetic procedures or complications related to cosmetic procedures, but there may be some exceptions when it comes to explant surgery.⁹

Some policies may cover explant surgery if it is considered to be medically necessary due to a ruptured implant, severe capsular contracture or BIA-ALCL.⁹

According to the National Center for Health Research, if a doctor believes that removing breast implants is medically necessary for a patient who had breast implants after a mastectomy, your health insurance provider is legally obligated to cover your breast implant removal under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA).⁹

Financing Breast Explant Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for breast explant surgery and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Kate Bayless is a health and wellness freelance writer with 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women's Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.