In recent years, surgery for silicone explant gained visibility among women who seek to remove their breast implants for health reasons or because they are rethinking their aesthetic choices.
The trend reflects a shift in behavior in which the desire for a more natural appearance is growing, along with concerns about possible health risks associated with prolonged use of implants.
The decision to remove prostheses is not always simple, but can be motivated by a variety of factors, ranging from discomfort to health problems.
Experts explain that, in addition to removal, there are several surgical techniques to restore the shape of the breasts after explantation, offering personalized solutions for each case.
What is silicone explant?
Silicone implant explantation is the surgery to remove breast implants. According to Agnaldo Castro, a specialist member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP) and part of the IBCC Oncology team, the procedure is recommended for patients who wish to remove implants for personal reasons as well as for those who face problems such as capsular contracture or ruptured implants.
According to experts, some patients no longer identify with the volume or shape of their breasts and opt for removal.
How is the surgery performed?
The process varies depending on the need for breast tissue adjustment. In the simplest cases, a small incision of up to 5 cm is made in the crease below the breast (the region where the breast meets the thorax) to access and remove the prosthesis, along with the capsule formed around it.
If there is excess skin, it is common to make an inverted “T” shaped incision, which allows the excess skin to be removed and the breast to be reshaped.
Josué Montedonio, a plastic surgeon specializing in the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Santos, emphasizes that in some situations a fat graft is used to improve the shape of the breasts after the implant is removed, partially compensating for the loss of volume.
When is explantation recommended?
The explant can be performed by any woman who wish to remove your implants, but there are cases where surgery is not a choice, but a need . Capsular contracture, implant rupture and autoimmune diseases associated with silicone, such as ASIA syndrome, are some of the medical indications for the procedure.
“Although there is no guarantee of a cure, removing the silicone is an important step in treating these conditions,” highlights Castro.
Both experts agree that the presence of a foreign body in the body involves risks. Capsular contracture, implant extrusion and silicone gel leakage are known complications.
Montedonio explains that a failure in the prosthesis coating can cause gel leakage, which is identified in imaging tests.
What is the post-operative period like?
Recovery depends on the complexity of the surgery. In simpler cases, where there is no need for major adjustments to the breast tissue, the patient can resume her activities within two weeks.
“When there is skin removal or breast repositioning, the recovery time can be up to four weeks,” points out Castro.
Even in more complex procedures, recovery is usually quick and returning to routine occurs, on average, within ten days.
What about the scars?
Scars vary depending on the type of incision required. In simple cases, they are discreetly hidden in the crease below the breast.
In surgeries that involve significant skin adjustments, inverted “T” scars are more noticeable. However, with proper care, the scar can become almost imperceptible after six months, according to experts.
Silicone implant removal is an important decision and should be made with specialized medical supervision to align expectations and results. “For some women, the process can be liberating, while for others it may require a period of adaptation to the new body,” concludes Montedonio.
This content was originally published in Silicone explant: why do women choose to remove the implant? on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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