Choosing to undergo breast explant surgery, the removal of breast implants, is a significant decision that can be driven by various factors, including aesthetic preferences, health concerns, or complications. Understanding the potential effects of explant surgery, including weight loss, is crucial for women considering this procedure. This article examines the factors influencing weight changes after explant surgery, the recovery process, and the overall benefits of breast implant removal.
Understanding Breast Explant Surgery
Breast explant surgery involves the removal of breast implants and any surrounding scar tissue by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Women in Chicago and beyond are increasingly opting for explant surgery for numerous reasons. These reasons can include dissatisfaction with previous breast augmentation results, complications such as infection or rupture, or a desire to return to a more natural breast size and shape. Some women may also experience symptoms of Breast Implant Illness (BII) and hope that explant surgery will alleviate these issues.
Factors Influencing Weight Changes After Explant Surgery
While explant surgery is not directly a weight loss procedure, several factors associated with the surgery and its aftermath can influence a patient's weight. These factors include:
Reduction in Breast Volume
The most immediate effect of explant surgery is the reduction in breast volume. The implants contribute to the overall body weight, and their removal naturally leads to a decrease in that weight. The extent of this weight reduction depends on the size and material of the implants.
Lifestyle Changes and Improved Health
Some women experience a range of symptoms related to Breast Implant Illness (BII), which can include fatigue, joint pain, and gastrointestinal issues. These symptoms can hinder an active lifestyle and contribute to weight gain. After explant surgery, many women report a significant improvement in their overall health and energy levels. This improvement can facilitate a more active lifestyle, leading to weight loss.
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Dietary Changes
The recovery period following explant surgery often involves dietary changes to support healing and reduce inflammation. Eating more fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean meats like chicken and turkey can enhance the body’s healing process. These dietary changes can contribute to weight loss as well.
Emotional and Psychological Well-being
Breast implant removal can have significant emotional and psychological benefits. Some patients experience depression or anxiety related to their breast implants, and the removal of the implants can help alleviate those feelings. Increased self-confidence can also motivate individuals to adopt healthier habits, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, which can lead to weight loss.
The Recovery Process
Healing from explant surgery is critical to achieving the desired outcome and enhancing appearance and quality of life. The recovery process is similar to healing from breast augmentation. Here’s what to expect:
Initial Recovery (Weeks 1-2)
Many patients experience bruising, tightness, and swelling after implant removal, which can distort the appearance of the breasts. During this time, rest and self-care are essential. Patients should anticipate taking one to two weeks off from their everyday activities. Typically, sutures and fitted drains are removed two or three days after surgery. It is important to follow the surgeon's instructions to the letter.
Intermediate Recovery (Weeks 3-5)
By now, any soreness and swelling will have subsided significantly, and while the breasts may still appear high or misshapen, they will begin to settle. During this phase, it’s crucial to continue wearing compression garments to support the breasts and promote healing.
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Long-Term Recovery (Weeks 6+)
After week six, there should be substantial improvement in incision scars, and it may be possible to resume exercise and other strenuous activities. The breasts will likely feel softer and appear more settled, and will continue improving over time. It is recommended to allow four weeks before resuming the usual exercise routine. A physical therapist can design a post-surgery program that efficiently complements healing and helps adapt to the new chest contour while quickly normalizing breast sensitivity.
Additional Procedures to Enhance Results
Many patients opt to pair their explant with additional procedures to enhance their aesthetic outcome:
Breast Lift
One of the biggest concerns patients have when they begin exploring an explant procedure is about how breasts look after implant removal. When implants are large or have been in place for many years, they can stretch the skin and underlying tissue. As we age, our body produces less collagen and elastin. It’s common to see some degree of sagging after implant removal, especially if larger implants were used, which are more likely to stretch the skin. To address sagging and achieve a more youthful contour, a breast lift can be performed.
Fat Transfer
A fat transfer procedure uses the body’s natural tissue to subtly increase breast volume and smooth out contour irregularities. Tissue support will help reinforce breast shape after implants are removed.
All Me Augmentation
Developed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Boutros, the All Me Augmentation is a DIEP flap breast surgery that uses excess abdominal tissue to increase breast volume and shape. This personalized procedure often delivers more natural-looking results than traditional implants - without the volume loss or lengthy recovery patients frequently experience with conventional fat grafting.
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Benefits of Breast Implant Removal
Breast implant removal offers several benefits, including:
Improved Breast Health
Breast implant removal can improve overall breast health. Over time, implants can lead to complications such as breast pain, infection, and hardening of the breast tissue (capsular contracture). Removing the implants can potentially alleviate these symptoms and improve the overall health of the breast. Additionally, by removing the implants, it may be possible to monitor and detect any potential changes in breast tissue more easily, which can be early indicators of other breast health issues.
Reduced Risk of BIA-ALCL
BIA-ALCL is a rare type of lymphoma associated with certain breast implants, specifically with textured implants. While the risk of developing BIA-ALCL is very low, removal of implants can essentially eliminate the risk.
Natural-Looking Results
Breast implant removal can restore the breasts to their natural shape and size. This can be especially beneficial for patients who are no longer happy with the look of their implants, whether it be the size, shape, or feel, or who have experienced complications such as rippling, asymmetry, or capsular contracture.
Increased Self-Confidence
Breast implant removal can have emotional and psychological benefits. Removing breast implants can lead to increased self-confidence.
Alleviation of Breast Implant Illness Symptoms
Some patients report experiencing symptoms of Breast Implant Illness, a condition that can include a wide range of symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, vision changes, anxiety, and gastrointestinal issues. While there is currently limited scientific evidence linking these symptoms to breast implants, many experience improvement when their implants are removed.
Finding the Right Surgeon
When considering breast implant removal, it’s crucial to find a plastic surgeon who specializes in the safest techniques available. For example, the en bloc breast implant removal method is known for its high margin of safety and effectiveness. This method not only removes the implant but also the surrounding capsule of scar tissue, creating a new, healthier pocket for a future implant.