Breast implant removal, or explant surgery, takes out breast implants and, where needed, the scar capsule the body has formed around them.
People choose it because of capsular contracture, a rupture, discomfort, a change in preference, or health concerns. Whether to add a lift or fat transfer at the same time is the main planning decision.
What Breast Implant Removal involves
The surgeon usually reuses the original scar. The implant is removed and the capsule is left, partly removed or removed completely, depending on its condition and the reason for surgery. A capsule that is thin and soft can often stay; a thickened, calcified or ruptured-implant capsule is removed. If the skin is unlikely to retract, a breast lift can be performed in the same operation.
Who is a good candidate for Breast Implant Removal?
Your surgeon needs your implant details if you have them, and recent imaging such as ultrasound or MRI.
- Hard, painful or distorted breasts from capsular contracture
- A confirmed or suspected implant rupture
- Implants that no longer suit your body or your life
- Wish to be implant-free, understanding how the breasts are likely to look afterwards
It is usually not the right choice if:
- Unrealistic expectation that the breast will return to its pre-implant shape without a lift
- A new breast lump or swelling that has not yet been investigated; that needs diagnosis first
- Medical conditions that make general anaesthesia unsafe
Technique options
- Simple removal: implant only, capsule left when thin and healthy
- Total capsulectomy: the whole capsule removed
- En bloc capsulectomy: implant and capsule removed together in one piece, used for specific indications such as suspected lymphoma associated with textured implants
- With lift or fat transfer: to restore shape and some volume in the same operation
What happens during your treatment
Surgery takes one to two hours, longer with capsulectomy or a lift, under general anaesthesia. Drains may be used for a day or two. Most patients stay one night or go to their hotel the same evening.
Preparing for your trip
Plan for 6 to 7 days in Istanbul. Your surgeon reviews photographs and your medical history before you book, and you meet in person the day before surgery for examination, marking and consent with a professional interpreter.
- Stop smoking and nicotine at least four weeks before and after surgery; it is the single biggest avoidable cause of wound problems
- Tell the team about every medicine and supplement you take; blood thinners, some herbal products and hormone treatment may need to be paused on your doctor's advice
- Arrange for someone to travel with you or to be reachable, and keep the first days at home free of work and lifting
- Book a changeable return flight; your surgeon confirms when you are fit to fly
Recovery and results
Soreness is usually less than after the original augmentation. A support bra is worn day and night for four to six weeks. The breasts look flat and sometimes wrinkled at first; skin and tissue recover shape over three to six months.
- Back to everyday activity: 1 to 2 weeks
- When results show: Shape settles over 3 to 6 months
- How long they last: Permanent
Safety, risks and revision policy
Discuss these with your surgeon, along with what your breasts are realistically likely to look like:
- Loose, deflated or uneven breasts that may need a later lift
- Bleeding, fluid collection or infection
- Changes in nipple sensation
- Chest wall or lung injury during difficult capsulectomy, which is rare
- Symptoms attributed to implants not improving after removal
Every written proposal arranged through Clinic-Y states what the clinic covers if a correction is needed. Ask for it before you book, not after.
Cost of Breast Implant Removal in Türkiye
Clinic-Y does not publish a single price for Breast Implant Removal, because the honest figure depends on your case. What moves it:
- The surgeon's experience and the technique your anatomy needs
- Type of anaesthesia and the length of the operation
- Nights in hospital and whether another procedure is combined
- What the package includes: tests, garments, medication, hotel, transfers, interpreter and follow-up
Send your photographs or reports and you receive written, all-inclusive proposals from suitable teams, side by side. Reviewing your case is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the capsule removed?
Not always. A thin, soft capsule is often left or partly removed. A thick, calcified or contaminated capsule is removed. Your surgeon should explain which applies to you and why, because total capsulectomy adds risk.
Will I need a lift?
It depends on skin quality, implant size and how long the implants were in place. Some surgeons advise waiting six months to see how much the skin retracts before deciding.
Can the removed implants and capsule be tested?
Yes. Capsule tissue can be sent for pathology, and you can ask for your implants to be returned or photographed for your records.