Kent V. Hasen, MD: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Med Spa of Naples
3699 Airport Pulling Road North
Naples, FL 34105
Phone: (239) 262-5662
Monday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Breast Implant Removal
Few women considering breast augmentation think about removing their breast implants at some point in the future. At our Naples-Fort Myers, Florida, practice, however, Dr. Kent V. Hasen sees patients who either want or need to have their implants removed. It’s important that an experienced, highly trained, board-certified plastic surgeon performs this procedure—called explant surgery—because it can be more complicated than primary breast augmentation.
Breast Implant Removal
Before & After Photos
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Reasons for Breast Implant Removal
Nearly 50,000 women underwent surgery in 2018 to have their breast implants removed for various reasons. Some patients decide several years after getting breast augmentation that their implants are too large or heavy, or that having breast implants no longer fits their lifestyle. The primary reasons for explant surgery include:
- Complications such as capsular contracture
- Desire to change appearance
- Asymmetry or visible implant rippling
- Implant rupture or leak
In some cases, women believe breast implants are the cause of physical symptoms ranging from chronic fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, confusion, food intolerance, hair loss, and other autoimmune diseases. This collection of physical ailments are often referred to generically as Breast Implant Illness (BII), Silicone Incompatibility Syndrome (SIS), Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA). Many social media groups and websites that are dedicated to BII purport that the only way to cure BII is an “en bloc” capsulectomy. However, this has not been proven scientifically. There have been several medical studies of these conditions and complaints which has led to some clarification, but many questions still remain. What is known is that over 100 symptoms have been reported, in no specific configuration and that these symptoms have been reported with all types of implants (saline, silicone, smooth shell and textured shell) from every manufacturer in the world. We also know that some patients will experience symptom improvement with implant removal regardless of capsule removal. Furthermore, total capsulectomy or en bloc capsulectomy did not have better results and is more invasive, more expensive and may carry higher risk of complications. The self-reported term BII implies that the breast implants are the cause of the syndrome when there is currently only a possible association, but no direct evidence of causation. In a Joint Safety Statement of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), The Aesthetic Society, and The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) on May 9, 2023, it was recommended to use the term “Systemic Symptoms Associated with Breast Implants” (SSBI). Also, SSBI remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Thus, patients should have an appropriate work-up to rule out other causes prior to undergoing breast implant removal with or without capsulectomy.
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Learn MoreWe Support Your Decision
Dr. Hasen collaborates with patients to help them choose the treatment path that meets their goals. Ultimately, the decision to remove implants is the patient’s and our entire team supports that choice. This includes women who have textured breast implants who may want them removed based on research showing that a rare cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is related to biofilm as well as textured implants. The number of women with the specific implants linked to breast implant-associated ALCL (BIA-ALCL) is extremely low, but some patients with textured implants are choosing the remove them even if they’re not the exact model identified by the FDA.
Capsular contracture has also been linked by multiple studies to biofilm that coats breast implants. Capsular contracture is the most common complication associated with breast augmentation and occurs when the capsule of scar tissue that naturally forms squeezes the implant. In moderate to severe cases, it can cause discomfort, distort the breast’s appearance, and make it feel hard and unnatural.
For patients with capsular contracture who choose to replace their implants, Dr. Hasen offers breast revision surgery and a nonsurgical procedure .
Extra Safety Precautions
Dr. Hasen goes to great lengths during the breast augmentation procedure to minimize the risks of post-op complications. That includes extra steps designed to prevent infections caused by bacteria that normally live on the skin or in the breast. To limit the chances of bacteria contaminating the area around the implant during breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Hasen:
- Bathes the implants and the implant pocket with a diluted betadine solution which has been shown to decrease capsular contracture and eradicate bacteria in the pocket.
- Inserts the implants using the revolutionary Keller Funnel® (sometimes called “touch-free” breast augmentation), which can possibly reduce the risk of capsular contracture.
- Covers the nipple-areola complex with an anti-microbial dressing to help prevent contamination.
Dr. Hasen performs all breast augmentation procedures in our state-of-the-art surgical center, which opened in 2016, to ensure a completely sterile environment.
Our Surgery Center
We’ll admit it: We love our surgical center as much as our patients do. The 7,600-square-foot facility, opened in 2016, reflects the blend of aesthetics, technology, and attention to detail at the heart of Dr. Hasen’s world-class plastic surgery practice.
Tour the Facility“Dr. Hasen and his staff are amazing!”
“I am almost 4 months out from surgery and I am thrilled with my results!…When it comes to plastic surgery I’d rather pay for the best and have great results than go with someone cheaper and risk not so great results and as far as I’m concerned Dr. Hasen was the best choice!”
Implant Removal Techniques
Dr. Hasen tailors each implant removal procedure to the specific needs of the patient. The most straightforward explant surgery involves using the scars from the original augmentation procedure to make new incisions. A few patients have implants inserted using incisions in the underarm area and new incisions are necessary in these cases.
Some women who have saline implants can have them removed under local anesthesia if Dr. Hasen doesn’t remove the capsule along with the implant. Typically, however, explant surgery is combined with a breast lift to give the breasts a more attractive shape. Implants stretch the breast skin and breasts will look significantly different once the implants are removed.
You can have the implants removed, the implants and part of the capsule removed, or the implants and the entire capsule removed—a procedure called a total capsulectomy. The term “en bloc resection” really should not be used in the case of removing an implant and its surrounding scar tissue. En bloc is a term that describes a procedure for malignancy (cancer) where the tumor is removed completely with a rim of normal tissue. From the Joint Plastic Surgery Societies’ Safety Advisor from May 9, 2023: “The absolute indication for en bloc capsulectomy is removal of an implant and capsule in the presence of capsular malignancy. Relative indications for total capsulectomy are capsular contracture, rupture of a gel implant, and possibly with removal and exchange of textured implants. There is currently no good peer-reviewed evidence that capsulectomy is required for symptom improvement in the absence other indications. Patient preference may be considered with appropriate informed consent. Capsulectomy is a more invasive procedure, may be more expensive and may carry higher risks.”
Dr. Kent V. Hasen
As a board-certified plastic surgeon in Naples, Dr. Hasen is dedicated to helping you love the reflection you see in the mirror. His exceptional surgical talent and decades of experience allow him to create beautiful, natural-looking results. He and his team have been delivering superior care and results for plastic surgery and medical spa patients from Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, and beyond since 2002.
Credentials you can trust
Cost of Breast Implant Removal in Naples
Each procedure is different, and pricing varies based on several factors. The best way to determine the cost of your procedure is to schedule a personal consultation, although you can see general ranges on our pricing page.
We offer financing options, and your health insurance may pay some or all of the cost if a primary care physician determines removing the implants is a medically necessary procedure.
Take the First Step
Getting breast implants removed is a significant decision. To learn more about your options, request a consultation with Dr. Hasen using the online form, or call (239) 262-5662 to schedule an appointment. Women considering cosmetic breast surgery travel from throughout southern Florida, including North Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Esteros, Cape Coral, and Punta Gorda, to have Dr. Hasen perform their procedures.
A Reputation Built on Results
Our Patients Say It Best
You deserve the highest caliber of service, care, and results, and at Kent V. Hasen, MD, we're committed to providing all that and more. But don't take our word for it—see for yourself what our actual patients have to say about their experiences with us.
Abby is so knowledgeable of skin care. She gives me written instructions of how to take care of my skin....
Dr Hasen and his team provided excellent pre and post care for my procedure. He listened and provided...
I have always been pleased with Dr Hasen and his staff. I have never had a problem speaking to someone...
After several years of debating about plastic surgery, working so hard in the gym, running miles on...