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Feel Like Yourself Again With Targeted Surgical Treatments

Choosing to treat your breast implant illness with a complete implant removal is a massive step in anyone’s journey, and often comes with a heavy emotional toll. Here, our care brings together safe, effective treatments and a thorough understanding of your situation, ensuring you feel seen and heard every step of the way.

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What Is an Explant and Capsulectomy?

An explant, or breast implant removal, is a surgical procedure that removes the breast implants from the body and reshapes the remaining tissue to create a natural-looking chest contour. It’s often combined with a capsulectomy, which removes the scar tissue, or capsule, that surrounds the implant. Together, these procedures can be used to treat breast implant illness and reduce inflammation throughout your body. Explant and capsulectomy procedures can help treat the following symptoms of breast implant illness (BII):

  • Fatigue and tiredness
  • Lack of energy
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Anxiety, depression, and mood fluctuations
  • Hair thinning
  • Rashes and skin changes
  • Brain fog and memory problems
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Joint and muscle pain

The Bloom Difference

When you choose Bloom Facial Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery for your explant and capsulectomy for breast implant illness, you choose an experience rooted in compassionate care and clinical excellence. We’re proud to be one of the top aesthetic care centers in Bryn Mawr and Philadelphia, and our state-of-the-art facility is home to our team of licensed, trained medical professionals. Here, every treatment room is equipped with the most advanced tools and technology available, allowing us to customize your treatment plan to your exact needs.

Your explant and capsulectomy in Bryn Mawr will be performed by Dr. Elizabeth Malphrus, an award-winning, Ivy League-trained breast and body surgeon. As a specialist, her work is defined by a natural aesthetic, helping you maintain a balanced breast contour after implant removal. Dr. Malphrus is devoted to being a true partner in your plastic surgery journey, and she’ll listen closely to your concerns at every step of the way.

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What to Expect From Your Explant and Capsulectomy for Breast Implant Illness in Bryn Mawr

A Comprehensive Consultation

Treatment for breast implant illness begins with a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Malphrus at our Bryn Mawr clinic. There, you’ll discuss your symptoms, concerns, and medical history, and Dr. Malphrus will examine your breast tissue, health markers, and prior surgeries to determine if breast implant illness is at play. From there, she’ll begin building your customized treatment plan to remove your implants and put you back on a path to healing.

Careful Implant Removal

During surgery, Dr. Malphrus will make strategic incisions, typically following patterns from your primary augmentation, to access the breast tissue and implant. She’ll carefully remove the implant from your body, making any necessary adjustments to the implant pocket to avoid unnecessary trauma to the surrounding tissues.

Treating the Implant Capsule

Once your implant has been removed, Dr. Malphrus will turn her attention to the surrounding capsule. She’ll use precision tools to remove all scar tissue from the breast, providing you with a clean slate for healing.

Breast Contour Restoration

The final step of your explant and capsulectomy for breast implant illness in Bryn Mawr is to reshape the remaining tissue. Dr. Malphrus focuses on symmetry and proportion to sculpt breasts that are anatomically aligned and have a natural-looking size, shape, and position on the chest. Once complete, all incisions will be closed with small sutures to support smooth, consistent scarring.

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High-Touch Recovery in Bryn Mawr

Recovery after an explant and capsulectomy typically involves mild swelling, soreness, and fatigue for one to two weeks. Our team will provide you with specialized surgical bras to help reduce swelling and support your breasts as they heal into their new shape. Most patients resume normal routines, including desk work, gentle movement, and social gatherings, within two weeks, but you’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise for up to two months.

After your procedure, Dr. Malphrus will share extensive recovery instructions tailored to your body’s needs. This list may include the following items:

  • Incision site care and cleaning protocols
  • Surgical drain care, if applicable
  • Supportive garment guidance
  • Recovery clothing options
  • Sleep position restrictions
  • Activity limitations
  • Hygiene recommendations
  • Swelling and pain management strategies

Over the coming months, you’ll return to our clinic several times for follow-up appointments with Dr. Malphrus. There, she’ll remove any remaining drains or sutures, monitor your healing progress, and track your symptoms to ensure gradual improvement. In time, she’ll approve you to resume high-impact activities like weight lifting, running, and intense exercise.

Natural-Looking Results That Transform Your Life

While your newly enhanced breast contours will be visible immediately after your procedure, it may take time for your BII symptoms to improve. Some patients report near-instant relief after an explant and capsulectomy, while others find that their symptoms improve gradually over several months. It can take several weeks for residual swelling to fully fade and for your body’s inflammation levels to decrease.

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Frequently Asked Questions Explant and Capsulectomy for BII

Is a full capsulectomy always necessary to treat breast implant illness?

No. Dr. Malphrus may recommend a partial capsulectomy to treat your symptoms, but a full capsulectomy is more common. Your exact treatment plan will depend on your body’s needs, current health status, and symptoms.

Will I need a breast lift after implant removal?

Some patients benefit from a slight lift to restore breast shape and position after implant removal. This will occur while Dr. Malphrus reshapes your remaining tissue. If you’d like to explore an explant with lift, discuss your options with Dr. Malphrus.

How long will my procedure take?

Most explants and capsulectomy procedures take several hours to complete, as they’re more complex than primary augmentations. Dr. Malphrus will review realistic timelines with you during your consultation so you know what to expect.

Can I replace my implants later?

Yes. Some patients choose to get implants after their explant and capsulectomy, once their symptoms have subsided and they’re back to full health. This decision will be based on your goals and preferences after recovery.

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