Have your breast implants become uncomfortable or unattractive to you? Women choose implant explantation for many reasons, from wanting to change their appearance to concerns about their health.
No matter why you have chosen to remove your implants, Dr. Alan González offers breast implant removal with excellent results. With 23 years of experience and more than 18,000 procedures, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alan González is uniquely qualified to perform your breast explantation in Colombia.
Breast implant removal is a delicate procedure that requires ample experience and expertise to perform correctly. Dr. Alan has developed a proprietary technique for implant explantation that restructures the breast and minimizes scarring for a superior cosmetic result.
What is Breast Implant Removal Surgery?
Breast implant removal surgery, also known as implant explantation, is a surgical procedure that removes the implant and the entire capsule surrounding it to create a new breast shape and size. Dr. Alan may perform implant explantation with a breast lift to preserve the youthful appearance of the breasts once the implants are removed.
Why Remove Breast Implants?
Women may choose to remove their breast implants for a variety of reasons:
- Dissatisfaction with the size or shape of the breasts
- Neck and back discomfort due to heavy implants
- Changes to the appearance of the breasts, such as asymmetry
- Implant complications, such as capsular contracture or implant rupture
- Concerns that implants are affecting the accuracy of breast examinations
- Symptoms of developing breast implant illness
- Worries over health risks associated with breast implants
Although breast implants do not come with an expiration date, manufacturers recommend removing or replacing implants every ten years. Most women find that replacement typically becomes necessary within 10-20 years even if they remain happy with their implants. No breast implant is designed to last forever.
Candidates for Breast Implant Removal
Women in relatively good health and stable weight tend to be the best candidates for breast implant removal. Patients should have a realistic idea of how the procedure will change their appearance. Dr. Alan is an expert in body proportions and will create an adequate and aesthetic breast shape with the remaining tissue immediately after the explant.
Our Breast Explantation Technique (BRALAN)
Dr. Alan’s proprietary breast removal technique is BRALAN, or Breast Reconstruction Anatomical Lift Augmentation. He uses an L-shaped incision from the nipple to the base of the breast to remove the implant and surrounding capsule, often in a single step, depending on the specific case. This removes all the scar tissue around the implant, leaving healthy tissue that creates a more natural result.
He also performs a breast lift and reconstruction as necessary simultaneously as the explantation to ensure the patient wakes up from surgery with a desirable new breast shape. BRALAN increases breast fullness and projection with the patient’s breast tissue, no matter how little tissue the patient might have. This unique approach ensures a patient is not left with deflated, drooping breasts, a common concern after implant removal.
Dr. Alan’s unique L-shaped incision pattern also minimizes visible scarring and leaves cleavage intact, so patients can wear swimwear or low-cut blouses confidently once they have healed fully from their breast implant surgery.
The Breast Explantation Process
Dr. Alan performs breast implant removal at one of his three state-of-the-art facilities in Colombia. The procedure usually takes about 1.5-3 hours, and patients are asleep throughout the process. Once the implant and capsule are removed, Dr. Alan uses the patient’s tissue to rebuild the breast mound and achieve the desired projection, pronunciation, and characteristics of the breasts.
Preparing for Breast Implant Removal
As with any surgery, we recommend patients stop taking medications that could increase bleeding at least 15 days before their procedure. This includes anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen and aspirin, blood thinning drugs, and supplements. If you smoke, we encourage you to stop at least four weeks before surgery since nicotine can cause complications with anesthesia and interfere with the healing process.
Anesthesia
Dr. Alan performs implant explantation while the patient is asleep to ensure no pain or memory of the experience after waking up. Dr. Alan uses analgesics that allow patients to receive pain management and reduce inflammation after surgery for a more comfortable recovery process.
The Incision
Dr. Alan uses his proprietary L-shaped incision, which extends from the nipple to the base of the breast and then outward toward the patient’s side. This incision shape ensures a patient’s cleavage is not affected by the operation and that visible scarring after surgery is minimal.
The Operation
Dr. Alan performs all of his surgeries at his state-of-the-art facilities in Colombia. Surgery centers are located in Barranquilla, Bogóta, and Cali. The procedure usually takes 1.5-3 hours and includes the removal of the implant and capsule surrounding the implant and the reconstruction of the breast mound using the patient’s tissue.
Closing the Incisions
Once the surgery is completed, Dr. Alan carefully sutures the incisions to facilitate an optimal healing process. You will also receive instructions on caring for your incisions as they heal to reduce the risk of infection and other complications, produce the best possible outcome, and minimize visibility of the scars.
Recovering From Breast Implant Removal Surgery
Most patients require 10 days of rest after breast implant removal surgery. Our 360 concierge services will ensure your visit is relaxing, comfortable, and beautiful during your stay. As you begin to feel like getting around, we will show you the best locations for dining, shopping, and sightseeing in our beautiful country. We ask patients to remain in Colombia for two weeks following surgery, so you receive the highest level of care as your body recuperates.
Procedures That Combine With Breast Explantation
Dr. Alan’s proprietary BRALAN technique combines breast implant removal with immediate breast lift and/or breast reconstruction to achieve a natural and beautiful result. A breast lift repositions the breasts higher on the chest and removes excess skin for a more youthful contour. Breast reconstruction uses the patient’s tissue to add fullness, shape, and volume to the upper and middle portions of the breast mound once the implants have been removed.
If patients wish to have additional volume after breast explantation and reconstruction, Dr. Alan may recommend a fat transfer about six months after the initial surgery. This procedure removes fat from an area of the body, like the abdomen, and places it into the breasts to create more upper pole volume and projection.
Dr. Alan typically does not perform other body contouring, such as liposculpture or a tummy tuck, at the same time as breast enhancement. He usually spaces these procedures at least months apart to ensure optimal healing and results. Patients who wait six months may see even better results.
Patients who would like facial surgery may have the option of undergoing that procedure at the same time as breast implant explantation. Common facial procedures combined with implant removal include:
Eye rejuvenation (blepharoplasty)
- Eyebrow surgery (brow lift)
Nose surgery (rhinoplasty)
- Chin or cheek reduction surgery
- Ear surgery (otoplasty)
Choose a Plastic Surgeon Who’s Right For You
With 23 years of experience, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alan González offers the experience and expertise necessary to produce superior patient outcomes. His 360 concierge services begin the moment you land in Colombia and include transportation, an interpreter, and even a companion for your surgery day if you require one.
With proprietary techniques and the highest level of patient care, Dr. Alan is the premiere plastic surgeon in Colombia. Contact our office in Barranquilla, Bogóta, or Cali to learn more about our services.