Breast implants are not lifelong devices. They have a life of approximately 10-15 years after which they should be removed or exchanged by explant surgery. Furthermore, explant surgery is indicated in patients having leaks in implants, capsular contractures, pain with implants, implant exchange, or simply no longer the desire to have implants in their body.
In the past few years, more and more women are opting for implant removal either in favor of promoting a natural and healthy body image and accepting themselves or for therapeutic purposes. Breast implant removal surgery is a highly individualized process and depends on the wishes of the patient’s needs. It requires the same level of care and specific instructions as that of implant surgery. Before the procedure, explain the changes expected in the breast after surgery, before and after photos of previous clients, and instructions for proper recovery after surgery. Here are some important instructions for explant surgery candidates and recovery tips to help them heal better.
Indications For Explant Surgery
Implant removal surgery is highly dependent on the patient’s wishes and informed decisions. One may opt for implant removal for many reasons. These indications include autoimmune response to implants, persistent inflammation, implant-related pain, necrosis around the implant site, asymmetrical breasts due to shifting if implants, and build of calcium deposit around the implant leaving hard stone-like feeling mass in breast tissue.
What To Expect After Explant Surgery
Just like any other surgery, the risk and complications after explant surgery are dependent on many factors. The foremost factor is overall health and proper body care after the surgery. Possible risks after surgery include:
- Bleeding due to weight lifting or improper closure of the incision
- Hematoma formation
- Infections
- Asymmetrical breasts
- Persistent pain
- Inadequate drainage
- Recurrent loss of skin
- Persistent swelling
- Skin discoloration
Another common complication is ruined aesthetics or the general appearance of the breast after explant surgery. It is important to make sure the patient knows what changes to expect after surgery including breast size, shape, overlying skin, and overall appearance of the breast and surrounding structure.
Recovery Time and Instructions
The time it takes to recover from explant surgery depends on the individual patient. Everyone takes a different amount of time to properly recover. It depends on the patient’s general health condition, wound care, proper recovery products, and the type of incision and surgery. Approximately it takes anywhere from 6-8 weeks to recover from explant surgery.
For proper recovery, it is crucial to keep the wound clean to fight off any potential infections, infectious wounds take longer to heal and often need oral antibiotics to speed up the recovery process.
Proper compression dressing and analgesics are important to manage pain and inflammation. They are also important to manage any post-op bleeding and to ease any inflammation. If duct blockage is suspected, changing compression according to the patient’s needs can facilitate proper drainage and residual edema.
Drains are an important part of the recovery process. Surgeons mostly opt for drainage tubes because of the risk of fluid accumulation. Keeping drains stabilized, clean, and as close to the body as possible is necessary. Constant drain movements can irritate the edges of the wounds and hence cause pain, irritation, ulceration, scar marks and delayed wound healing.
It is recommended for the patient to have at least 2 surgical bras for proper support and compression of the breast tissue to avoid asymmetrical fixation of breast tissue and undesired appearance.
EZbra: Make Recovery Simple and Easy
EZbra is a sterile, absorbable, disposable bra. It is specifically designed as a post-surgical immediate dressing for post-op recovery bra for breast procedures. Its versatile features and ability to mold according to the patient’s body shape and procedure needs make it a desirable, easy, and ultimate choice.
EZbra has an inbuilt design for drain stabilization eliminating the need for extra accessories to hang the drains. The sleek design keeps the drains as close to the body as possible thus limiting movement and preventing further complications.
Most important of all, EZbra provides independent dressing change for the patient raising self-esteem and confidence which is part of the recovery program. So choose what’s best for patients and make recovery easier and simpler.
