Recovery usually takes a few weeks.
When people make the decision to have their breast implants taken out (explant surgery), it is quite common that they want to get back to the usual state as quickly as possible. This can be due to the wish for a more natural lifestyle, getting rid of physical symptoms, or simply getting too old for implants, in any case, you probably want to know the exact time for the return to normal. At Lin Europe Clinic we meet with patients who are almost shocked at how easy the recovery process is in most cases. Removal is often physically less challenging than the first augmentation which requires stretching of tight muscles and skin.
The question of “How long does it take to recover?” hardly gives a definite answer without a consideration of the complexity of your procedure. The removal of one implant only is unlikely to require more than a couple of days of rest whereas injuring yourself or combining “En Bloc” capsulectomy (removing the scar tissue) with a breast lift will definitely increase your recovery time to weeks. We let you know step-by-step what to expect after surgery and how to arrange your work, children, and social life around the procedure so that you can give your body time to heal.
Leading the First Week: The Immediate Result of Surgery
After the operation, when you open your eyes, you will feel that the chest is lighter, but at the same time, it hurts and it’s hard to breathe because of tightness. It is a less painful experience compared to the breast augmentation one according to most of the patients. Of course, because this time the muscle is not stretched to fit the foreign object, there is no “pressure” pain. On the other hand, you can get the feeling of soreness at the places of the sutures and if capsulectomy has been done, in the ribs area as well.
Healing is your main concern on the day you undergo surgery. Drains might be placed to get rid of the fluid (seroma) that can accumulate in pockets. The small tubes are normally taken out in 3-7 days, after the fluid is no longer produced. You will be required to wear a compression bra or surgical vest round the clock. With the help of your skin, this piece of clothing is very important as it makes the skin that has been detached from the muscle due to the implant removal stick to the chest wall and reduce the swelling. Most patients stop using prescription drugs to manage pain at day three or four and change to over-the-counter preparations.
Weeks 2-6: Getting Back to Normal Life
When the second week comes, you will feel that you are ready at least for some light desk work and social activities. When the narcotic pain medication is out of your system and your arms are free to move, you are allowed to drive. Lifting heavier objects, however, is something that needs to be respected even though you can move normally. Pouring your own milk for three to four weeks (around 4 kilograms) is the kind of restriction we usually give you in order to avoid internal bleeding and to give the incisions fresh that are intact after 3 weeks and have started to become stronger after 4.
Apart from the time when the “ghost breast” feeling disappears, and your body (especially your brain) gets used to the fact that you have a different center of gravity, your posture may naturally get better as your chest is no longer weighted right now. Even though you might have plenty of energy, your body is still in the process of tissue repair and therefore, it’s only natural to feel tired. If your body tells you so, you should take a nap in the afternoon.
The Status of Fitness, Exercise, and Weight Lifting
If you have always been a fitness fan, coming back to the gym after surgery would require some memory to feelings of you in the past. As soon as you step out of the hospital, you can take a walk and this is good for your blood circulation and prevents you from getting blood clots. However, it is necessary to refrain from doing high-impact cardio (running, jumping) and whipping out those home dumbbells until six weeks have passed.
You should do nothing for the internal pocket until the wound has completely healed. This is because doing chest exercises (e.g., push-ups or bench pressing) prematurely may cause the pocket to fill with fluid, and thereby, the muscle fibers may be additionally irritated. At around week four, walking without bouncing is permitted, so lower-body exercises are allowed too. Usually, patients are put at no risk of injury from the activities involving all body joints at the end of the sixth to the eighth week. These activities indeed include yoga, swimming, and heavy lifting.
The Issues of “En Bloc” Surgical Case
In case you go through a Total En Bloc Capsulectomy, your convalescence will be lengthened. The tightly adherent scar tissue is dissected off the rib cage and the pleura in this method of the surgical procedure. This being the case, the removal operation is much more invasive when compared to simple removal, and it is also associated with a larger area of wound surface.
After the removal of En Bloc, the patients usually require longer periods with the drains (sometimes up to two weeks) and additionally, the rib cage may be stiff and back pain be more noticeable. You could be limited in your range of motion of the arms during the first ten days after the procedure. When patients are understood to be going through a reconstructive surgery, not just a removal, they can accordingly prepare themselves for the mildly slower pace of healing and thus set more realistic healing expectations.
Where to have Breast Implant Removal in Turkey?
Picking Lin Europe Clinic for your breast explant in Turkey means that we take the recovery phase very seriously in terms of rest and monitoring. Our local surgeons operating in Istanbul are skilled in complex removal techniques and therefore, whichever your explant case might be, your safety is our first concern. Drains, wound care, and medications hardly become an issue as we take care of everything for you.
Having your recovery in Istanbul means getting far from normal life and thus having less stress. We provide VIP transfers and luxury accommodation where you can focus entirely on yourself. In case of doubts regarding drainage, swelling, or medication, our medical team is always available to answer your questions through 24/7 chat. Lin Europe Clinic is here for you throughout the whole period of change to make sure you come back to your home feeling lighter, healthier, and fully recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Explant Recovery
If you do a desk job, you can expect to go back to work within five to seven days. However, if your work requires you to do physical labor or lift heavy objects, you will need a break of at least three weeks.
Usually, removal causes much less pain as the muscle is no longer being stretched. Up to the first couple of days, patients can take most of their painkillers from the pharmacy.
Drains are very usual after an explant operation, particularly if the capsule is taken out or a lift is done. They are intended to avoid the accumulation of fluids and are normally taken out within a week.
You should not go back to upper body weight training or heavy lifting before six weeks at the minimum. Starting to work out too fast may lead to fluid accumulation or bleeding in the unoccupied pocket.
For four to six weeks at the very least, you must wear a surgical compression bra day and night. This is the only way to successfully control the swelling and give the skin a nice smooth retraction.
Maxwell, G. P., & Gabriel, A. (2016). Breast implant removal: The role of en bloc capsulectomy. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Spear, S. L., & Rottman, S. J. (2012). The correction of breast implant complications. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Misheyev, M., et al. (2015). Breast implant removal and capsulectomy: Review of the literature. Eplasty.
