What exercise can I do after explant surgery?

Dr. Tillo encourages light walking during the early stages of recovery to promote circulation. Strenuous exercise or activities that may strain incision sites should be avoided until full recovery, typically around six weeks.

When can I shower after explant surgery?

You should wait at least 48 hours before showering after your explant surgery. This allows incisions to heal enough to reduce infection risk. Bandages provided are waterproof, but prolonged soaking should still be avoided.

How do you sleep after an explant surgery?

To avoid pressure on incision sites, patients should sleep on their back after breast implant removal. It is advisable to practice sleeping on your back before surgery to make the adjustment easier.

Should my previous surgeon perform my breast implant removal?

It is not necessary for your original surgeon to perform implant removal. A new surgeon will assess your implants and recommend the best approach to achieve your goals.

Do breasts go back to normal after an implant removal?

Breast size will decrease after implant removal, and some sagging or deflation may occur due to skin stretching. If new implants are placed, this can restore the breasts to the desired size and shape.

Does the NHS cover breast implant removal?

The NHS may cover implant removal in specific cases such as rupture, recurrent infection, capsular contracture causing pain, or breast disease. Typically, patients are referred to their original surgeon first, and if unavailable, they may be placed on a waiting list.

What age should breast implants be removed?

Breast implants generally last 10–20 years. Many manufacturers suggest removal or replacement after 10 years, though there is no fixed age limit. The decision depends on implant longevity and patient circumstances.

Is it better to remove or replace breast implants?

This decision depends on your goals. Replacement is preferred if you want to adjust size, while removal may be better if you wish to return to your natural breasts or address scar tissue.

Is the incision site from my breast implant reused for my implant removal?

Yes, surgeons often reuse the incision sites from your original breast implant surgery to minimise additional scarring.

Will a breast implant removal procedure cause more scarring?

By placing incisions along the existing breast crease scars, surgeons typically avoid creating new visible scars during implant removal.

Can you get breast implants removed while pregnant?

Breast implant removal is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

How long does implant removal surgery take?

Breast implant removal surgery generally takes between 1–2 hours, depending on the patient’s needs.

Breast Implant Removal (Explantation Surgery) in London

As seen in

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Omar Tillo

Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure in which existing breast implants are removed. It may be considered because of implant-related complications, changing personal preferences, findings from implant surveillance or other individual clinical factors.

Explantation refers specifically to the removal of the implants. Implant replacement, also known as implant exchange, is a separate surgical option. Depending on the patient’s anatomy, clinical needs and treatment goals, removal may also be combined with a breast lift or fat transfer.

At CREO Clinic, breast implant removal is performed by Dr Omar Tillo, a BAAPS-listed plastic surgeon with interests in breast and body surgery. The appropriate surgical approach is determined through an individual consultation and clinical assessment.

Surgery at a Glance

Results

3-6 Months

Anesthesia

General Anaesthetic

Surgery Time

1 Hour

Hospital Time

Day Case

Off-Work

1 Week

Why Patients Choose Breast Implant Removal

There are a number of reasons patients may choose breast implant removal. Personal changes in preference or clinical concerns can all be factors in the decision; the choice is individual and does not require a specific justification. Suitability for the procedure is always assessed during an individual consultation with Dr Tillo.

Changes in Lifestyle or Aesthetic Preference

Over time, preferences around breast size and appearance can shift. Patients may feel that the size or shape of their breasts no longer aligns with their lifestyle or levels of physical activity. For some, their aesthetic priorities have changed, and they may no longer feel that their implants are proportionate to their physique. In these circumstances, they may consider implant removal or exchange.

Post-Pregnancy or Body Changes

The effects of pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant weight change, and natural ageing vary between patients and may alter breast tissue, skin elasticity, breast shape or implant position. Depending on the extent of these changes and the patient’s goals, implant removal may be considered alone or alongside another procedure, such as a breast lift.

Confidence, Symmetry & Proportions

Breast implants that may have previously suited a patient’s preferences can begin to feel less consistent with their self-image or physical activities over time. Some patients may therefore consider explant surgery as part of a change in breast size, shape or overall proportion, although the likely post-operative appearance will depend on individual anatomy and tissue quality.

Concerns About Implant Ageing or Complications

Patients may consider removal or replacement because of changes in implant condition, surveillance findings or complications affecting the implant or surrounding tissue, such as capsular contracture, implant rupture or displacement. Concerns about symptoms associated with breast implant illness (BII) may also prompt patients to seek specialist assessment to discuss possible causes and whether implant removal is clinically appropriate.

How Breast Implant Removal Surgery Works

The most appropriate surgical approach for breast implant removal depends on the reasons for removal, the condition of the implants and surrounding capsule, the patient’s anatomy and any symptoms or clinical findings. Treatment goals and whether any combined procedures are planned may also influence the incision used and the sequence of surgery.

What Happens During Surgery

A breast implant removal begins with pre-operative markings to guide incision placement, followed by the administration of a general anaesthetic. Wherever possible, the initial incision is placed along the existing scar lines from the implantation surgery. This helps to avoid new scarring.

In most cases, the incision is made in the inframammary fold but may occasionally be placed around the areola. The implant is carefully separated from the surrounding tissue and removed. Management of the capsule, which is the tissue pocket that forms around the implant, is determined by clinical findings, implant condition, symptoms, patient anatomy and the surgical risks associated with removal. It may be retained, partially removed or fully removed where clinically appropriate. Any combined procedures, such as a lift or fat transfer augmentation, may be performed during the same anaesthetic where this forms part of the agreed treatment plan.

Anaesthetic Type & Procedure Duration

Breast implant removal is typically performed under general anaesthetic and is often planned as a day-case procedure. Operating time varies according to surgical complexity, capsule management and whether combined procedures are performed. Implant removal alone may take less than one hour, while more complex surgery may take between one and three hours or longer in some cases.

Techniques Used During Surgery

To adapt the explant surgery to the patient’s specific treatment needs, Dr Tillo will choose between a variety of explant techniques. The table below gives an outline of the techniques that may be used and why.

Technique	What it involves	When it is used
Implant removal only (capsule retained)	The implant is removed while some or all of the capsule is left in place	May be considered where the capsule is thin, soft and not causing clinical concern, and where removal would offer no clear benefit or may introduce unnecessary surgical risk
Partial capsulectomy	A selected portion of the capsule is removed	May be used where part of the capsule is thickened, symptomatic, damaged or otherwise clinically concerning, but complete removal is not considered necessary or proportionate
Total capsulectomy	The entire capsule is removed, although this may not always be technically possible without increasing surgical risk	May be considered in selected cases, such as significant capsular contracture, implant rupture with silicone outside the implant shell, abnormal capsule findings or other specific clinical indications. Concerns about BII alone do not automatically require total capsulectomy
En bloc capsulectomy	The implant and capsule are removed together without intentionally opening the capsule, where this can be achieved safely	Generally reserved for specific indications where maintaining capsule integrity is clinically necessary. It is not a standard response to suspected rupture or BII concerns and may not be technically possible or clinically appropriate in every patient

NB. En bloc is not required in most cases. Whether implant removal alone, partial capsulectomy, total capsulectomy or en bloc removal is appropriate is determined after consultation, examination and review of relevant imaging or operative findings.

Operating Environment & Overnight Stay

The CREO Clinic performs all procedures in CQC-registered and regulated hospital facilities with established reputations for high clinical standards. Breast implant removal is typically planned as a day case, although an overnight stay may be recommended where clinically indicated following assessment and post-operative monitoring.

Patient Feedback & Outcomes

RealSelf Patient Reviews of Omar Tillo, MD, MS, FRCS (Plast)

Is Breast Implant Removal Right for You?

Suitability for breast explant surgery is assessed during a one-to-one clinical consultation with Dr Tillo. Below is a list of criteria that offer a general indication of eligibility, but final suitability can only be confirmed after an assessment of the implant condition, tissue quality, and the patient’s individual circumstances.

Who It’s For

The indications below are a general guide only. Whether surgery is appropriate can only be confirmed following clinical examination of implant condition, tissue quality, and the patient’s individual circumstances.
Breast implant removal may be considered for patients who:

– Wish to have existing breast implants removed, whether for personal, aesthetic, or health-related reasons

– Are experiencing implant-related complications such as capsular contracture, rupture, displacement, or persistent discomfort

– Have symptoms they associate with breast implant illness (BII) and wish to discuss explantation as part of their assessment

– Have noticed changes in implant appearance or feel following weight change, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or ageing

– Prefer a return to natural breast anatomy without implants

– Have maintained a stable weight for at least six months

– Have a BMI at or below 30 (Use our BMI checker)

– Are in good general physical and psychological health

– Do not currently smoke, or are able to abstain from all nicotine products for at least four weeks before and after surgery
Understand that the post-explant appearance of the breasts will vary depending on skin elasticity, tissue quality, original breast volume, and whether any combined procedure is performed

Who It May Not Be Right For

Breast implant removal may not be suitable for patients who:

– Have a BMI above 30

– Are pregnant or currently breastfeeding

– Smoke or use nicotine products and are unable to stop for at least four weeks before and after surgery

– Have health conditions that may increase the risk of surgical complications

– Expect the breasts to return to their exact pre-augmentation state; skin stretch and tissue change caused by implants mean that this is not a predictable outcome, and the post-explant appearance depends on multiple individual factors

– Are considering explantation without having discussed the clinical implications of skin laxity or ptosis with their surgeon, where these are relevant to the likely outcome

Procedure Variants & Alternatives

There are several surgical approaches that may be considered alongside or instead of breast implant removal alone. The most appropriate option depends on the condition of the implants, the surrounding breast tissue and skin, and the patient’s individual preferences, as assessed during consultation.

Breast Implant Removal Only

Breast implant removal alone may be appropriate for some patients, depending on factors such as tissue quality, breast shape, implant size, skin laxity and personal preference. Not all patients will require or wish to undergo an additional reshaping procedure, such as a breast lift or fat transfer, and the available options will be discussed during consultation.

Breast Implant Removal With Breast Lift

Where implants have led to skin stretching or changes in breast or nipple position, a breast lift (mastopexy) may be performed at the same time to address skin laxity or ptosis. Once the implant has been removed, breast lift incisions may be used to remove excess skin and reposition the breast tissue and nipple where clinically appropriate. The extent of change that can be achieved varies according to the patient’s anatomy and tissue quality.

Breast Implant Removal With Fat Transfer

Fat transfer augmentation may be considered to restore a modest amount of volume after breast implants have been removed. If upper pole volume has been lost in the breasts over time, this may be exaggerated after implant removal; fat taken from other areas of the body, such as the flanks, abdomen, or thighs, can be transferred to the breasts.

The amount of volume that can be achieved and the proportion of fat that survives vary between patients. In some cases, more than one fat-transfer procedure may be required.

Breast Implant Replacement Surgery

Some patients may feel comfortable with the size, shape, or type of implants that they currently have, but may consider replacement because of a rupture, capsular contracture or other implant-related findings. For others, they may prefer to resize or adjust the shape according to their current tastes. In this case, implants can be removed and a replacement breast augmentation performed.

Whether the existing capsule can be retained or requires modification depends on the implant condition, pocket dimensions, tissue quality and the proposed replacement implant.

Before & After Results

The gallery below shows images of real-life CREO patients who have undergone breast explant surgery. These pictures are illustrative of previous outcomes, but results vary between patients according to multiple factors, such as individual healing times, the techniques used, and whether the surgery was combined.

Before And After Breast Implant Removal Surgery, Front View - Patient 1

Before And After Breast Implant Removal Surgery, Front Left View - Patient 1

Before And After Breast Implant Removal Surgery, Front Right View - Patient 1

Before And After Breast Implant Removal Surgery, Left View - Patient 1

Before And After Breast Implant Removal Surgery, Right View - Patient 1

Explant Surgery

1/5

The CREO APEX Recovery System

Our APEX Recovery System for Faster Healing

Every procedure our surgeons perform comes with Creo Clinic’s APEX Recovery System – a unique recovery protocol built and refined on years of specialised expertise.

This three-stage system combines pre-surgical optimisation, advanced anaesthetic techniques, and a post-operative strategy designed to eliminate the need for strong pain management.

These treatments are thoughtfully integrated into every step of your plan, ensuring your recovery is supported, refined, and medically guided. We don’t make any compromises when it comes to care … and you shouldn’t either.

What to Expect Before, During & After Surgery

At the CREO Clinic, we value communicating the surgical journey to our patients, as it is an important part of the decision-making process. The stages below give an outline of what patients can expect from a breast implant removal surgery.

Before Surgery

In advance of your procedure, the surgical team will provide personalised pre-operative guidance based on your treatment plan and medical history. The key steps to complete in advance may include:

Stop all nicotine products: Cigarettes, vapes, patches, and all other nicotine-containing products may need to be stopped before surgery in line with your surgeon’s advice. The recommended period will depend on your treatment plan and individual risk factors. Nicotine reduces blood flow to healing tissue and can increase the risk of wound complications and infection.

Review oestrogen-based contraceptives or HRT: Recommendations regarding oral contraceptives and HRT depend on your individual thrombosis risk, medical history and current clinical guidance. Do not stop prescribed medication unless advised by the prescribing clinician and surgical team.

Keep your weight stable: Where possible, aim to maintain a stable weight and a BMI at or below 30 in the weeks leading up to surgery, as changes in body composition can alter the surgical plan and affect your outcomes.

Attend any recommended imaging appointments: Where the condition of your implants is uncertain, an MRI or ultrasound may be arranged before surgery to assess implant integrity when clinically indicated. Complete any requested imaging before your surgery date.

Provide a full medication and supplement list: Let your surgeon know about everything you are taking, including prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements such as fish oil or vitamin E. Some may need to be temporarily stopped. Do not discontinue prescribed medication without advice from the prescribing clinician and surgical team.

Arrange your journey home: You will not be fit to drive after surgery. Ask a responsible adult to collect you and be available for the first 24 hours after you are discharged.

Set up your home before surgery day: Organise a comfortable place to rest with everything you need within easy reach. Upper-body movement and lifting may be restricted during the initial recovery period, depending on your procedure and post-operative guidance. Make any necessary arrangements for work, childcare, or daily responsibilities in advance.

Day of Surgery

When you arrive at our surgical facilities, you will undergo any final pre-operative checks necessary before an anaesthetic is administered. Breast implant removal alone may take less than one hour, while surgery combined with procedures such as a breast lift or fat transfer may take up to three hours or longer, depending on complexity.

Following your surgery, you will be monitored in a specially designed recovery room before being discharged when clinically appropriate. Many patients return on the day of surgery, although an overnight stay may be recommended where necessary.

Initial Recovery

Some swelling, bruising, and temporary restrictions in movement are common, especially during the early stages of your recovery. This initial discomfort is usually most pronounced in the first one to two weeks of recovery, but recovery varies between patients. It is influenced by multiple factors such as the length and extent of the surgery, individual healing ability, and skin quality at the incision sites.

From the first day of your recovery, you may be advised to wear a compression bra for approximately four to six weeks, depending on CREO’s post-operative protocol and your individual surgical plan. You will not be able to drive on the day of your surgery, so a responsible adult must be present to escort you home.

Many patients find they can return to desk work after around one week of recovery, but this varies according to the extent of surgery and the demands of their role. Strenuous exercise and activities that load the upper body are usually restricted until the surgical team confirms that they can be resumed. By four to six weeks, many patients have progressed through the main stages of early recovery, although swelling, tissue settling and activity restrictions may continue. Combined procedures typically require longer recovery periods.

Final Results

The appearance of the breasts continues to change as swelling settles, often over three to six months following surgery. Scar maturation generally continues for 12 to 18 months after this stage, during which time scars may gradually soften and change in colour and appearance. The CREO Clinic’s APEX Recovery Protocol and personalised post-operative guidance are available to support recovery and scar management.

Risks, Limitations & Considerations

Breast implant removal carries recognised risks and limitations that should be considered carefully before proceeding. Outcomes vary between patients and are shaped by factors including implant condition, capsule characteristics, tissue quality, surgical complexity, and individual healing response.

Some potential risks and considerations include:

Changes to breast shape, volume, or symmetry following removal
Skin laxity or ptosis, where the skin envelope has stretched around the implant and does not fully retract
Scarring at the incision site
Asymmetry in final results
Changes to nipple or breast sensation
Wound breakdown or delayed healing
Infection
Haematoma or seroma formation
DVT/VTE
Adverse reaction to anaesthesia
Incomplete capsule removal, where relevant, which may require revision
Need for further surgery (such as a breast lift or fat transfer) to address post-explant appearance

Not all limitations are related to surgical complications. In some patients, the degree of skin laxity, pre-existing breast tissue changes, or the extent of implant-related tissue distortion may affect the final contour achieved following removal, regardless of surgical technique.

The likelihood of specific risks varies according to individual patient factors, medical history, and the nature of the procedure. During consultation, Dr Tillo will explain the potential risks and benefits relevant to your circumstances.

Costs & Financing Options

The cost of breast implant removal at the CREO Clinic depends on the surgical approach used, the complexity of the capsule removal required, and whether combined procedures are planned.

All of the CREO Clinic’s breast implant removal prices can be found in the table below:

Procedure	Starting price
Removal of implants only	From £5,400
Capsulectomy and removal of implants	From £8,250
En bloc capsulectomy and removal of implants	From £9,000

A full, personalised quote is provided following consultation with Dr Tillo once the most appropriate treatment plan has been agreed.

What Your Quote Includes

Surgical fees at the CREO Clinic are all-inclusive. Your quote will cover:

Surgeon, anaesthetist, and nursing fees
Use of CQC-registered surgical facilities
Pre-operative assessments, investigations, and blood tests
Surgical bra and post-operative dressings
The CREO recovery kit, containing immune-supportive vitamins, Hibiscrub, absorbent pads, and Bio-Oil
Manual lymphatic drainage massage and laser scar management treatments as part of the APEX aftercare programme
Follow-up appointments and routine post-operative care

Where a combined procedure is planned, such as removal with a breast lift or fat transfer, this is included within the same all-inclusive quote. There are no additional charges for standard aftercare.

Financing Options

Where appropriate, financing options may be available through CREO Clinic’s external finance partner, Chrysalis Finance, including interest-free loans over a 12-month period, with longer-term plans available at increased rates of interest.

Any financing arrangements are discussed separately following consultation and are subject to approval and eligibility criteria. Financing should be considered only after the clinical suitability of the procedure has been established.

Why Choose CREO Clinic

The CREO Clinic is built around detailed, clinically led surgical planning, anatomical specialisation and treatment plans adapted to the patient, supported by coordinated aftercare. All clinical recommendations are made by the surgeon following a one-to-one consultation and assessment.

Trusted Expertise: Dr Omar Tillo & Team

Surgeries at the CREO Clinic are performed by specialist plastic surgeons working within their areas of anatomical focus. All breast implant removal procedures are performed by Dr Omar Tillo, whose listed clinical interests include breast and body surgery.

Surgeon-Led Planning

Treatment recommendations at the CREO Clinic are made by the surgeon following a one-to-one consultation and clinical assessment. Each patient’s individualised surgical plan is created to align their procedure with their clinical and aesthetic needs, with an emphasis on supporting their long-term treatment goals.

Integrated Aftercare, Always Included

The CREO Clinic’s APEX Recovery System includes surgical and post-operative measures selected according to the operation and the patient’s clinical needs. This may include specific suture techniques, manual lymphatic drainage massage and laser scar management where appropriate. These elements form part of the planned aftercare pathway and do not guarantee a particular healing or scar outcome.

Breast Implant Removal FAQs

What is the difference between breast implant removal and explant surgery?

Explant surgery commonly refers to the removal of breast implants, so the terms are often used interchangeably. Implant exchange, in which existing implants are removed and replaced, is a separate procedure.

Will I need a breast lift after breast implant removal?

Not necessarily. Whether a breast implant removal should be followed by or performed in conjunction with a breast lift depends on the degree of ptosis and skin laxity present. Implant size and the length of time the implants have been in place may be relevant, but they do not determine the need for a lift on their own. Suitability is assessed according to breast shape, tissue quality and the patient’s goals.

Can breast implants be removed and replaced during the same surgery?

Yes. Existing implants can be replaced with new implants during the procedure. Whether the existing implant pocket or capsule can be retained or requires adjustment depends on implant condition, pocket dimensions, tissue quality and the proposed replacement implant. Whether this is suitable for you will depend on Dr Tillo’s assessment during your initial consultation.

What is a capsulectomy?

A capsulectomy is where the natural capsule of scar tissue around an existing implant is partially or fully removed. This may be considered in selected cases, such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, abnormal capsule findings or other clinical indications. Concerns about breast implant illness alone do not automatically mean that a capsulectomy is required. Not all breast implant removals require a capsulectomy, and Dr Tillo’s clinical findings will help him decide whether it is appropriate.

How long does recovery after breast implant removal take?

A return to desk work, or work that is not physically demanding, may be possible after around one week, depending on the extent of surgery and the individual’s role. By approximately six weeks, many patients have progressed through the main stages of early recovery, although swelling, tissue settling and some activity restrictions may continue. Strenuous exercise and activities that place a load on the upper body should only be resumed in line with personalised post-operative guidance.

When will I see the final results after explant surgery?

After approximately three months, many patients find that a significant proportion of post-operative swelling has subsided, but some residual swelling may continue beyond this point. The breasts continue to settle progressively over several months, rather than reaching a single fixed endpoint. Patients who have combined the explant with a breast lift may follow a longer tissue-settling and scar-maturation timeline, which can continue for 12 to 18 months.

Can breast implant removal help with implant-related discomfort or symptoms?

If discomfort in the breast is related to capsular contracture, the size or position of your implants, or another identifiable implant-related issue, implant removal, with or without capsulectomy, may help to relieve symptoms. Some patients report changes in systemic symptoms associated with breast implant illness (BII) following explanation, but the evidence is still evolving, improvement cannot be predicted, and a causal relationship between breast implants and these symptoms has not been established.

How much does breast implant removal cost in London?

The price of breast implant removal in London varies according to the complexity of the procedure. If the implant removal is combined with capsulectomy, a breast lift, or fat transfer augmentation, the procedure will take more time and therefore involve additional surgical costs.

The CREO Clinic offers personalised, all-inclusive quotes following a consultation with Dr Tillo and the establishment of an individualised treatment plan. Financing options may also be available, subject to eligibility and separate approval.

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