Removal without capsulectomy
The implant is removed and a thin, soft, healthy capsule is left in place. The body usually absorbs or flattens it.
- Often reasonable when
- The capsule is normal
Explant surgery
Breast Implant Removal in Turkey with or without capsulectomy, one hospital night and a 7-day Istanbul plan
Breast implant removal, also called explant surgery, takes out breast implants and, when indicated, some or all of the scar capsule. It suits capsular contracture, rupture, implant concerns or a wish to be implant-free. Plan about 7 days in Istanbul.
- About 7 days in Istanbul
- 1 night in hospital
- Desk work in 1–2 weeks
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Editorially reviewed by the Vivid Clinic Surgical Board · Last reviewed September 2026
At a glance
What is breast implant removal, and what to expect
Breast implant removal is an operation to take out one or both implants. Around every implant the body forms a thin layer of scar tissue called the capsule. Your surgeon may leave it, remove part of it or remove it completely. If you want new implants rather than none, see our breast augmentation page.
- Procedure time
- 1–3 hLonger with a lift or total capsulectomy
- Stay in Istanbul
- About 7 daysIncluding 1 hospital night
- Back to desk work
- 1–2 weeksWalking the same evening, with help
- Support bra
- About 6 weeksHelps the tissue settle
- Full exercise
- 4–6 weeksAbout 6 weeks after a lift or total capsulectomy
- Final shape
- 3–6 monthsSkin may retract further up to a year
See all procedure details
| Procedure time | Typically 1–3 hours, longer with a lift or total capsulectomy |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia | General anaesthesia |
| Hospital stay | 1 night |
| Recommended stay in Istanbul | About 7 days |
| Drains | Sometimes used after capsulectomy; removed before you fly |
| Back to desk work | 1–2 weeks |
| Exercise | Full exercise after about 4–6 weeks |
| Final shape | Breasts settle over 3–6 months; skin may retract further up to a year |
| Stitches | Usually dissolvable; wound check before flying |
| Capsule tissue | Can be sent for pathology |
Candidacy
Who is breast implant removal right for — and who should wait?
Explant surgery often suits you if
- You have capsular contracture: a firm, distorted or painful breast
- Imaging shows a rupture or leak, or a saline implant has deflated
- Your implants have dropped, moved sideways or ripple visibly
- You want to be implant-free and understand how your breasts may change
It is wise to wait if
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have an uncontrolled medical condition
- You have a new breast lump that needs assessment first
Please bring your implant card, previous operation notes and any recent ultrasound or MRI. If you have no recent imaging, your surgeon may request it before surgery.
The capsule plan
Capsulectomy options explained
The capsule plan is one of the most important decisions in breast implant removal. These terms follow a 2024 consensus statement supported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Your surgeon recommends the least extensive option that addresses your problem safely.
Partial capsulectomy
Part of the capsule is removed, such as a thickened or calcified section. Areas stuck to the ribs or chest wall are left to reduce risk.
- Often used for
- A localised thickened or calcified area
Total capsulectomy
The whole capsule is removed, not necessarily in one piece. It usually takes longer and may need drains.
- Often recommended for
- Capsular contracture, silicone leakage or a wish for full removal
- Drains
- Sometimes
A total intact capsulectomy removes the implant and capsule together as one unit. Strict en bloc capsulectomy also takes a margin of surrounding tissue; its only clear indication is suspected or confirmed implant-associated cancer.
Step by step
How explant surgery is done
Explant surgery takes place under general anaesthesia in an accredited partner hospital in Istanbul. Access is usually through the previous fold incision. Capsule tissue can be sent for pathology.
Review
Examination, imaging and implant records reviewed with your surgeon.
Marking
Incision and any lift lines marked while you stand.
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia in an accredited partner hospital.
Access
Usually the previous fold incision, lengthened for total capsulectomy.
Removal
Implant and agreed capsule removed; tissue can go to pathology.
Closure
Lift or fat transfer if planned; stitches, support bra, drains if needed.
Your Istanbul journey
Seven days, fully coordinated
Your exact schedule is confirmed with your plan. A combined lift may need a day or two longer.
Day 1
Arrival
A VIP transfer takes you from the airport to your hotel. Your patient coordinator or interpreter meets you.
Day 2
Consultation and surgery
Examination, imaging review, blood tests and anaesthetic assessment, then surgery. You stay one night in hospital and walk that evening with help.
Days 3–5
Discharge and rest
A surgeon check, then back to your hotel. Dressings are checked; drains, if used, are usually removed within a few days.
Days 6–7
Final review and flight
A fit-to-fly assessment and written aftercare, then an airport transfer. The 24/7 support line and remote follow-up continue at home.
Send your photos and implant details for a free surgeon review.
Photos, your implant card and any recent scan reports help a plastic surgeon plan the capsule and any reshaping. Free, confidential and without obligation.
Recovery
Recovery after breast implant removal, week by week
Soreness is usually less than after the original augmentation if the implant sat above the muscle. Our article on breast augmentation surgery complications explains capsular contracture and rupture.
- Week 1Soreness, swelling and tightness are expected. Wear your support bra and avoid lifting.
- Weeks 2–3Most people return to desk work within one to two weeks. Walking is encouraged; avoid strenuous activity.
- Weeks 4–6Gradual return to exercise, with full training after about six weeks if a lift or total capsulectomy was done.
- Months 3–12The tissue relaxes and settles, and scars fade. Without a combined lift, this is when your surgeon can judge whether one is needed.Decision point
How your breasts may look after removal
Results depend on implant size, how long the implants were in place, your skin quality and your breast tissue. Some people are pleased with a smaller, softer natural shape.
Others notice flattening, loose skin or rippling of the skin in the early months. Photos in our before-and-after gallery show possibilities, not promises.
Reshaping after removal
Explant alone or with a lift or fat transfer
In short: removal alone suits many breasts. After large implants or many years, the skin may be stretched. A lift or fat transfer can then reshape the breast, at the same time or a few months later.
| Explant alone | Explant with a lift or fat transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Removes the implants and the agreed amount of capsule | Also removes excess skin and raises the nipple, or adds your own fat |
| Shape afterwards | Smaller and softer; may look flatter or looser at first | Reshaped breast; fat adds a modest gain, often around half to one cup |
| Operation time | Typically 1–3 hours | Longer, depending on what is added |
| Stay in Istanbul | About 7 days | A combined lift may need a day or two longer |
| Timing choice | Skin often retracts over 3–6 months, so some wait before deciding | Done in one operation if you prefer |
Want implants again? Removal can be combined with new implants of a different type, size or pocket; see our breast implant types guide. More on a breast lift or fat transfer breast augmentation.
Price and packages
What determines your breast implant removal quote
A responsible quote needs a surgeon's review of your photos, records and imaging first. We give a personal quote after that review, and the consultation is free.
Your all-inclusive package
Typically covers:
- Breast implant removal surgery
- One hospital night
- Medication
- Support bra
- Hotel accommodation
- VIP transfers
- Patient coordinator
- Follow-up and a 24/7 support line
Your price depends on
- Removal alone, or partial, total or total intact capsulectomy
- Whether a lift, fat transfer or new implants are added
- Implant rupture or silicone leakage, which can lengthen surgery
- The partner hospital, number of nights and any pathology testing
Why Vivid Clinic
Meet our medical team
Why patients choose Vivid Clinic for breast implant removal in Istanbul
- Plastic surgeons, with medical review by Prof. Dr. Özgür Pilancı
- Accredited partner hospitals in Istanbul, with pathology available for capsule tissue
- A capsule plan matched to why your implants are coming out
- All-inclusive coordination and a multilingual patient team
- 24/7 post-operative support line and remote follow-up at home
Medical review
This page was medically reviewed by a plastic surgeon on the Vivid Clinic team.
Prof. Dr. Özgür Pilancı
Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon
- Plastic surgery specialist since 2006 (Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul)
- Associate professor since 2015
- Clinical fellow in Rio de Janeiro in 2016
Safety
Risks of breast implant removal and how we reduce them
Breast implants are not lifetime devices, and the chance of complications grows the longer they are in place. Removal is also surgery with its own risks, which your surgeon explains before you decide.
Possible effects
- Bleeding and seroma (fluid collection)
- Infection
- Asymmetry, contour irregularities and visible scarring
- Changes in nipple sensation
- Rarely, injury to the lung lining with total capsulectomy near the chest wall
How we reduce them
- A capsule plan tailored to your situation, not the most extensive by default
- Implant records and recent imaging reviewed before surgery
- Accredited partner hospitals, with an anaesthetist
- Drains when needed, removed before you fly
- A surgeon review before you fly home
Breast implant illness is not a formal diagnosis, and improvement after removal is not certain. BIA-ALCL is a rare lymphoma linked mainly to textured implants; the FDA's BIA-ALCL guidance does not recommend routine removal without symptoms. See also the ASPS breast implant removal guide.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about breast implant removal
How long do I need to stay in Istanbul for breast implant removal?
Plan about seven days. You arrive on day one, have your consultation and surgery on day two, stay one night in hospital and then rest at your hotel. If drains are used, they are usually removed within a few days. Your surgeon checks your wounds and confirms you are fit to fly, typically around day six or seven. A combined lift may need a day or two longer.
Is en bloc capsulectomy necessary for breast implant removal?
Usually not. In its strict meaning, en bloc capsulectomy removes the capsule with a margin of surrounding tissue, and specialist consensus limits it to suspected or confirmed implant-associated cancer. Many patients who ask for "en bloc" actually want a total or total intact capsulectomy. Your Vivid Clinic surgeon will recommend the least extensive option that addresses your problem safely, because larger operations carry more risk.
Will my breasts sag after breast implant removal?
They may look flatter or looser, especially after large implants or many years with implants. Skin often retracts over three to six months, so some patients choose to wait before deciding on a lift. Others prefer to combine breast implant removal with a breast lift or fat transfer in one operation. Your surgeon will assess your skin quality and show you which approach suits your breasts.
Does explant surgery cure breast implant illness?
Not reliably, and no surgeon can honestly promise it. The FDA reports that some people with systemic symptoms feel better after explant surgery without replacement, but others do not. The cause of these symptoms is not yet understood. We recommend checking other possible medical causes with your doctor, and we discuss realistic expectations openly before you decide.
Can I replace my implants with fat during breast implant removal in Turkey?
Yes, in many cases. Your surgeon can harvest fat by liposuction and inject it into the breasts during the same operation, restoring some softness and shape. The gain is modest, often around half to one cup, and some fat is reabsorbed. If your skin is very loose, a lift may also be recommended. This combination is planned case by case after examination.
Should I have my implants removed because of BIA-ALCL?
Not if you have no symptoms. BIA-ALCL is a rare cancer of the immune system that usually develops years after surgery, most often with textured implants. The FDA does not recommend routine removal for people without symptoms. Persistent swelling or a new lump near an implant should first be assessed with imaging and fluid testing. Confirmed cases are treated by removing the implant and the surrounding capsule.
What should I bring to my breast implant removal consultation?
Please bring your implant card, previous operation notes and any recent ultrasound or MRI reports. If you do not have recent imaging, your surgeon may request it before surgery. You can send photos and records through WhatsApp or our online form before you travel. Your surgeon uses them to plan whether a capsulectomy is advisable and whether a lift or fat transfer makes sense.
Free assessment
Plan your breast implant removal in Istanbul
Send your photos, implant card and any recent scan reports through WhatsApp or the form. A Vivid Clinic surgeon reviews them in confidence. The consultation is free and without obligation.
- 1Share your details and photosHere, or by WhatsApp on +90 545 742 3565.
- 2Medical review within 24 hoursWhether a capsulectomy is advisable, whether a lift or fat transfer makes sense, your hospital stay, time in Istanbul and your quote.
- 3Your personalised Istanbul planDates, hotel, transfers and your coordinator’s contact.
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