Breast implant removal surgery, also known as explantation, involves a procedure performed under general anesthesia, where the silicone implant is permanently removed from the patient. In our practice, we also completely remove the capsule surrounding the implant. This capsule is the body’s immune response to the foreign object, resulting in chronic inflammation due to the presence of the silicone implant. According to Dr. Alan Gonzalez, an expert in breast explantation, following his postoperative recommendations is crucial for ensuring optimal recovery. Breast explantation is a definitive option for those who wish to remove silicone implants from their breasts for aesthetic or medical reasons, or due to symptoms related to Breast Implant Illness (BII).
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reast implant removal surgery, or explantation, often involves associated procedures during the intervention.
The BRALAN technique stands for Breast Reconstruction Anatomical Lift Augmentation, which means permanently removing the silicone implant and completely removing the surrounding capsule. After this, the remaining breast tissues are repositioned to achieve a new anatomical shape of the breast. This technique emphasizes the reconstruction of the cleavage area, projection of the upper pole, repositioning, and, if necessary, reduction of the areola size, resulting in an L-shaped scar. Dr. Alan Gonzalez, with his extensive experience and surgical skills in the BRALAN technique, guarantees optimal results for his patients.
Dr. Alan Gonzalez is recognized for his own BRALAN technique and his skill in breast implant removal, offering satisfactory and natural results. His experience and surgical protocols provide confidence and reassurance to patients deciding on breast implant removal.
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Several factors can necessitate the removal of breast implants:
Before undergoing the BRALAN technique, patients must undergo a thorough health examination, including blood tests and diagnostic imaging like ultrasounds or mammograms. These tests ensure that the patient is in optimal health for surgery. Certain medications and foods high in antioxidants should be avoided before the intervention to minimize bleeding risks. For implant removal, it is crucial to conduct prior exams to ensure proper preparation for the surgery.
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On the day of the procedure, the patient undergoes a preoperative evaluation by an anesthesiologist. The surgical plan includes preparing the patient with comfortable clothing, establishing venous access, and administering anesthesia. The BRALAN technique is performed as follows:
The BRALAN technique is especially effective for breast implant removal.
After surgery, the patient is transferred to a recovery area before being discharged to recover at home with the assistance of a nurse for the first 24 hours.
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It is important to understand that explantation surgery using the BRALAN technique involves not only the removal of breast implants but also lifting the remaining tissue. This means explantation or implant removal surgery with a breast lift is performed using the remaining tissue after the prosthesis and capsule are removed. Dr. Alan emphasizes the importance of following the surgeon’s postoperative recommendations.
Superficial skin layers are not closed with sutures but with adhesive strips that allow a more stable healing process.
The patient goes home with an assigned nurse for the first 24 hours and then starts attending postoperative check-ups at the institute, where therapies are aimed at improving the inflammatory process and optimizing the healing process daily for the first seven to ten days, depending on the tissue’s response
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The BRALAN technique offers multiple benefits:
Reduction of Immune Response: By removing the implant and the capsule, the chronic inflammatory response of the immune system is decreased.
Improvement in Tissue Quality: With the capsule gone, the breast tissue no longer presents previous scarring and inflammation.
Anatomical Reconstruction: The immediate lift of the breast tissue ensures natural and aesthetically pleasing results, avoiding secondary deformities.
An L-shaped Scar: This scar extends from the nipple to the base of the breast. The technique ensures minimally visible scarring after surgery, preserving the aesthetic of the cleavage area.
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The risks and adverse effects of explantation surgery can be related to the surgical technique, especially if the surgeon does not have sufficient experience in performing these procedures. This could result in incomplete tissue removal when necessary or inadequate tissue manipulation, causing secondary deformity after reconstruction. This could lead to noticeable asymmetry or anatomical defects in the breasts, affecting patients psychologically.
Additionally, there are postoperative side effects or adverse reactions such as the appearance of hematomas (blood accumulation in the surgical area), which are relatively common, and possible local infections in the scar region due to the presence of germs. Fat necrosis or painful nodules in the breasts may also occur, which should be evaluated by a specialist and, if necessary, accompanied by diagnostic imaging.
Chronic pain in the area can also occur if there is some type of complication in the internal healing of tissues that compromises a sensitive branch in the thoracic region. In summary, the possibilities of postoperative side effects or adverse reactions are directly related to the surgical procedures. In the case of explantation surgeries, they are associated not only with the removal of the breast implant but also with the level of tissue inflammation and the complexity of the reconstruction process.
Typically, this type of surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 2 to 3 hours. The surgical procedure is outpatient, so the primary recovery takes place at the patient’s home with the assistance of a nurse. The initial recovery time ranges from 5 to 7 days, during which the patient’s limitations are temporary, allowing them to move their arms 90 degrees to attend to basic personal needs.
Each patient can function independently without relying on anyone else. During this time, it is recommended to attend postoperative check-ups that include therapies aimed at reducing inflammation and improving the healing process for the tissues.
For patients traveling from cities outside where the institutes are located or from other countries, the recovery time ranges from 10 to 14 days, depending on the location or the distance they need to travel by plane.
The characteristics of the results of explantation surgery or the definitive removal of implants are directly related to the surgical technique applied by each surgeon. In the case of the BRALAN technique, our goal is to reconstruct the anatomical shape of the breast with the remaining tissue, whether it is minimal, moderate, or ample. The focus is on the new contour of the cleavage area, the projection of the upper pole, the central positioning of the areola and nipple, and the scar being solely in an L shape. Therefore, flat breasts are not the outcome of this type of intervention, as the aim is always to improve the conical shape of the breast. This means a three-dimensional reconstruction of the breast shape, regardless of the breast volume the patients have.
Choosing Dr. Alan Gonzalez for breast implant removal using the BRALAN technique means benefiting from his extensive experience with over 1,000 patients who have undergone BRALAN technique explantation, his innovative approach, and his commitment to patient safety and satisfaction. His specialized technique not only optimizes outcomes but also minimizes recovery time, making the process smoother and more efficient.
