Choosing to remove your breast implants is a significant health decision, and it should only be pursued after a thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast surgeries. Asking the right questions during consultation helps you understand the surgeon’s philosophy, experience, and level of thoroughness before moving forward.
At Executive Plastic Surgery in Bloomfield Township, led by double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Shaher Khan, we believe in empowering patients to make informed decisions about their care. The questions below help you determine whether a surgeon’s approach truly prioritizes your long-term health and outcome.
Are you board-certified, and do you specialize in implant removal?
You should start by confirming board certification and, just as importantly, specialization. Breast implant removal is not the same as augmentation or routine cosmetic breast surgery. It requires advanced training, judgment, and experience dealing with scar tissue, capsules, and long-term implant-related changes. You should ideally work with a surgeon whose practice is centered on explant surgery, not someone who performs it occasionally.
What is your approach to complete implant and capsule removal?
Not all surgeons remove implants the same way. You should ask whether the goal is 100% implant removal and 100% capsule removal, and if anything is ever left behind. Leaving capsule tissue on the chest wall can allow ongoing inflammation or symptoms to persist. A thorough consultation should include a clear explanation of technique, surgical planning, and how completeness is verified. You deserve to know exactly what will remain after surgery.
Do you perform en bloc removal, and when is it appropriate?
En bloc removal refers to taking out the implant and capsule together as a single unit. You should ask when this technique is recommended and why. While scar placement and anatomy matter, the priority should always be eliminating implant-related material and inflamed tissue. A thoughtful surgeon will explain the decision-making process and help you weigh surgical goals against incision considerations, without minimizing your concerns.
How do you address the appearance of my breasts after explant surgery?
A common fear is that breasts will look deflated or damaged after implant removal. You should ask how the surgeon manages stretched skin, distorted tissue, and structural changes caused by implants. While it’s entirely valid to allow the breasts to “tighten on their own,” if that’s what you prefer, a skilled explant surgeon should be able to assess symmetry, reshape tissue, and restore natural anatomy through a breast lift to support both health and appearance.
Do you repair the pectoral muscle during implant removal?
If your implants were placed under the muscle (submuscular placement), you should ask whether the pectoral muscle will be repaired. Failing to do so can result in weakness, contour irregularities, or postoperative muscle movement. Proper muscle repair during implant removal surgery supports chest wall stability and helps restore a more natural breast shape.
How do you evaluate the capsule for inflammation or biofilm?
Implant capsules can harbor bacteria or inflammatory material. You should ask whether the capsule is examined and tested, and how findings are handled. Advanced practices may send samples for culture or analysis to better understand what your body has been reacting to. This level of investigation demonstrates a commitment to fully addressing all potential sources of ongoing symptoms, especially if you have been dealing with breast implant illness (BII).
At Executive Plastic Surgery, Dr. Khan, our double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, believes implant removal should be complete, uncompromising, and performed to the highest standards. He does not place breast implants: he only removes them. Asking the right questions empowers you to choose a surgeon whose philosophy aligns with your health goals and who treats explant surgery as the definitive solution it should be. Schedule your consultation today.
