Little Rock, AR: (501) 575-0088
Wright Plastic Surgery and Med Spa: Dr. Eric Wright
1811 Rahling Rd, Suite 100
Little Rock, AR 72223
Phone: (501) 575-0088
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Women decide to have breast implants removed for various reasons, ranging from aesthetic preferences to health concerns. They travel to see board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Wright for breast implant removal (explant surgery) in Little Rock from Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Conway, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, throughout greater Arkansas, across the country, and internationally for his specialized expertise in these complex breast procedures.
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VIEW PHOTOSExplant surgery removes saline or silicone breast implants and all or part of the capsule of scar tissue that forms around the implants, restoring the aesthetically pleasing shape of the breasts. You may want to remove old implants and replace them with new ones or you may not want implants at all.
Women choose to have their implants removed after breast augmentation for a variety of personal reasons, which include:
Some women have expressed concern regarding systemic health-related complications, collectively known as “breast implant illness” (BII). Though symptoms can vary between patients, common presenting conditions include fatigue, autoimmune conditions, or cognitive changes. Also, certain textured implants have been recalled from the market due to an association with a specific type of lymphoma cancer.
No matter the issue, Dr. Wright has extensive experience in breast implant procedures and is proud to help women feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies.
Explant surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure with the patient under general anesthesia. The least complex procedure is simply removing the implants and leaving the scar tissue that forms a capsule around the implant. This is the approach If your capsule is still soft and you’re choosing explant surgery for aesthetic reasons. The capsules naturally disintegrate in your body over time.
When the capsule itself is the source of complications, however, a capsulectomy may be necessary.
If you’re having implants removed because of a complication such as capsular contracture, Dr. Wright will perform a capsulectomy. Scar tissue surrounding the implants usually remains soft and pliable, but in some cases, it hardens and squeezes the implant. This condition, called capsular contracture, ranges in severity but usually requires implant removal surgery. The more severe cases can be painful.
Dr. Wright performs 4 capsulectomy techniques. They include:
Depending on the technique used, a capsulectomy can take 2 to 3 hours to complete. This procedure is performed using an incision in the breast crease, which allows for safe access to the implant, capsule, and subsequent muscle repair for implants placed below the muscle.
Sagging is common after implant removal. Dr. Wright may discuss the benefits of a simultaneous breast lift (mastopexy) after he removes the implants to improve the shape of your breasts. The need for a breast lift depends on numerous factors, including:
Various techniques are utilized with the breast lift to preserve volume and lift and tighten the breast skin.
Breast implant removal is more complex than traditional breast surgery due to several factors. Dr. Wright is fellowship-trained specifically in aesthetic and reconstructive/microsurgery breast surgery. He has extensive experience in this procedure and has helped countless women safely achieve their new look and health.
An Arkansas native, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Wright has spent over a decade helping Little Rock women and men look and feel their best with both reconstructive and plastic surgery options.
Meet Dr. Wright
Recovery time after implant removal varies with the specifics of the surgery. If a capsulectomy is performed and the capsule is difficult to remove, recovery may be longer than if just the implants are removed. The recovery is similar for implant removal with and without a breast lift.
Out-of-town patients can travel home 2 to 3 days after the surgery with virtual or in-office follow-up appointments scheduled at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months to allow for continued monitoring of recovery.
At the time of surgery, Dr. Wright uses either nerve blocks or a postoperative pain device to allow for an easy recovery. Following the surgery, patients will be placed in either a supportive wrap or garment. Surgical drains placed during surgery will remain until the volume of fluid decreases. Drain removal typically occurs 5 to 7 days after the procedure. Physical activity will be limited for approximately 4 weeks to allow time for chest muscles and skin incisions to heal.
Choosing to remove breast implants is a very personal decision. The reasons vary widely, and Dr. Wright is sensitive to each patient’s unique needs and desires. Many explant patients have reported symptoms of BII, such as fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, or autoimmune problems. Others have experienced implant rupture and want to remove the shell and any leaking silicone material.
Overall, good candidates for breast implant removal surgery are women who have:
During your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Wright, you’ll be able to discuss your issues and see if breast implant removal is right for you. He’ll also discuss the option of breast implant revision surgery, which involves replacing your implants.
Even if you’re not experiencing concerns or discomfort, we offer our breast augmentation patients the convenience of complimentary in-office breast implant ultrasound screenings beginning 5 years after your implants are placed. In addition to giving you peace of mind, this service helps us detect complications earlier so that we can expedite your breast implant removal and prevent further issues from developing.
Thanks to his exceptional training and compassion, Dr. Wright is considered one of the top board-certified plastic surgeons in the area who specializes in breast implant removal and other breast procedures. His positive patient reviews and an impressive gallery of breast surgery before-and-after results reflect high levels of patient satisfaction and successful outcomes.
If you’re visiting Little Rock to see Dr. Wright, our patient care team will help make your trip easy and enjoyable.
If you would like to have your breast implants removed, request a consultation online or call our Little Rock practice at (501) 575-0088. For out-of-town patients, Dr. Wright offers appointments from the comfort of your home via telemedicine consults.
RealSelf Q&A with Eric Wright, MD Back to Top
