Breast Implant Removal in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica
Breast implant removal in Beverly Hills is a highly requested cosmetic procedure for women who want to restore their natural breast appearance or address implant-related concerns. Common reasons for implant removal include lifestyle changes, complications, or personal preference.
Why Women Choose Breast Implant Removal
There are many reasons patients seek breast implant removal in Beverly Hills. Some women simply want to return to their natural breast size. Others may experience complications such as:
- Capsular contracture (hardening around the implant)
- Implant rupture or leakage
- Breast implant illness (BII) symptoms
- Implant malposition or shifting
- Pain or discomfort
In other cases, lifestyle changes, aging, or aesthetic preferences lead women to consider breast explant surgery.
What Is Breast Implant Removal Surgery?
Breast implant removal surgery, also called explant surgery, is a procedure in which silicone or saline implants are taken out of the breast. The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and usually takes one to three hours, depending on the complexity of the case.
The approach depends on factors such as:
- Type of implant (silicone or saline)
- Implant placement (above or below the muscle)
- Presence of scar tissue
- Whether a capsulectomy is required
There are two primary surgical options for breast implant removal
Simple Breast Implant Removal
Simple breast implant removal involves taking out the implants while leaving the surrounding scar tissue capsule in place. This method is often recommended when:
- There is no significant capsular contracture
- The implant is intact
- The patient does not have symptoms of breast implant illness
- The surrounding tissue appears healthy
During this procedure, Dr. Karamanoukian reopens the original incision (often in the breast crease or around the areola), removes the implant, and closes the incision carefully to minimize additional scarring.
Benefits of Simple Explant Surgery
- Shorter surgery time
- Less invasive than full capsulectomy
- Faster recovery in many cases
- Lower overall surgical cost
However, it may not be appropriate for patients with hardened capsules, ruptured implants, or chronic inflammation.
Breast Implant Removal with Capsulectomy
A breast implant removal with capsulectomy involves removing both the implant and the surrounding scar tissue capsule. This capsule naturally forms around implants as part of the body’s healing process. In some cases, the capsule becomes thick, tight, or inflamed.
There are different types of capsulectomy procedures:
- Partial capsulectomy – part of the capsule is removed
- Total capsulectomy – the entire capsule is removed
- En bloc capsulectomy – the implant and capsule are removed together in one piece
Patients experiencing capsular contracture, implant rupture, or breast implant illness symptoms often request a total or en-bloc capsulectomy in Beverly Hills.
Benefits of Implant Removal with Capsulectomy
- Removes hardened or inflamed scar tissue
- May relieve discomfort from capsular contracture
- Addresses ruptured silicone implants
- Often preferred by patients concerned about breast implant illness
This procedure is more complex than simple implant removal and requires a skilled, experienced plastic surgeon. Recovery may take slightly longer, but many patients feel reassured knowing the capsule has been removed.
Recovery After Breast Implant Removal
Recovery after breast implant removal surgery varies depending on the technique used. Most patients can return to light activities within one to two weeks. Swelling and bruising are common but typically improve steadily.Patients may wear a supportive surgical bra and follow detailed post-operative instructions to promote healing. Final breast shape continues to settle over several months.Some women choose to combine implant removal with a breast lift (mastopexy) to improve breast contour after explant surgery. This is especially common when implants have been in place for many years.
Breast Implant Removal with Dr. Karamanoukian
Raffy Karamanoukian is widely recognized for his expertise in breast implant removal and complex capsulectomy procedures in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. With decades of experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Karamanoukian has developed a reputation for meticulous surgical technique and personalized patient care. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Karamanoukian specializes in both simple breast implant removal and breast implant removal with total capsulectomy, tailoring each procedure to the individual patient’s anatomy and goals. His careful approach focuses on safety, minimizing scarring, and achieving natural-looking results.
Patients seeking explant surgery often appreciate his thorough consultations, during which he explains the differences between simple implant removal and en bloc capsulectomy. His surgical expertise and commitment to patient education make him a trusted choice for women considering implant removal in Beverly Hills.
Is Breast Implant Removal Right for You?
If you are considering breast implant removal surgery in Los Angeles, the first step is scheduling a consultation with our office. A detailed evaluation will determine whether simple implant removal or a capsulectomy procedure is the best option for your needs.Breast explant surgery can restore comfort, improve confidence, and help you feel more aligned with your current lifestyle. If you are ready to explore your options, schedule a consultation in our office to discuss the best approach for your breast implant removal journey.
Breast Implant Removal Procedure
Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the breast to remove the entire breast implant. In some cases, this procedure is more complicated when a breast implant is ruptured, or there is associated complications such as capsular contracture. Dr. Karamanoukian may opt for a full capsulectomy or en bloc removal of a breast implant, where appropriate.
- General anesthesia is administered in an accredited surgical center.
- An incision is placed into the skin at the site of your previous surgery, unless the previous implant was placed through your belly button or axilla.
- The ruptured or intact breast implant is removed with the capsule of scar tissue around the implant.
- The incisions are sutured and a dressing is applied. You will likely need a few days to recover from the surgery, during which time you should refrain from strenuous activity.
Breast Implant Illness
- Breast augmentation with saline or silicone breast implants have been deemed safe by the FDA in the United States; even after decades of clinical trials and longterm data. Breast implants can improve the volume and shape of the female breasts, but some patients may have untoward effects related to these implantable devices. Recent data published in the plastic surgery literature has described a constellation of symptoms that are attributable to breast implants; and the removal of the implants is advised in patients who have symptoms associated with Breast Implant Illness. In Los Angeles, Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is a trusted resource for women who wish to remove the breast implants, either en bloc or through a capsulectomy, to reduce the longterm effects of BII.
If you have undergone breast augmentation, whether new or old, and believe that your symptoms are associated with the breast implants; BII is treatable with a capsulectomy or en bloc implant removal. Our Los Angeles plastic surgery office is here to help.
Time to Remove Your Breast Implants
Breast augmentation does not have to be a lifelong procedure, as many women have opted to completely remove their breast implants after childbirth and pregnancy. Removing your saline or silicone breast implants can be a straightforward decision, especially if you still have perky breasts without sagging. The top reasons to undergo breast implant removal in our Los Angeles plastic surgery office include the following:
- Breast implant pain
- Implant displacement or asymmetry
- Capsular contracture
- Breast implant illness (BII)
- Breast implant rupture or deflation (in both silicone and saline breast implants)
- Breast implant leakage
- Silicone nodules or granulomas
- Opt out of implants and replace volume with fat transfer or grafting