Options Available for Implants and Explants

Implant options have come a long way since they first became popular, and the health risks associated with these procedures have been greatly reduced since that time as well.  Surgical techniques and implant materials are now designed to be much easier on the body, and are significantly less likely to cause serious health problems should something go wrong.  At the same time, explant surgery (also known as implant removal surgery) has developed significantly and is often able to restore individuals to their natural state without the rampant scarring and other complications of early procedures.  If you are considering either implants or an explant procedure to remove previous implants, then here are some of the options that you might find available to you.

One of the more common forms of implant in use today is the saline implant, which was introduced after the rupture of silicone implants in the 1990’s caused people to want a safer alternative for their implants.  These implants feature a silicone rubber shell which is filled with sterile saline in order to create the desired size and shape.  These implants remain popular, as the thought behind them is that even if the implant should begin to leak then the material entering the body will simply be sterile medical-grade saline (which is often used to replace lost body fluids in hospitals anyway.)

Though many people aren’t aware of it, silicone gel implants are still available as well and have had a resurgence of popularity in recent years.  These aren’t the same implants that were used in the 1990’s when all of the implant-related health problems were occurring, however; new medical standards must be met in the manufacture of these implants in order to help prevent rupture or leakage, and the implants generally feature tougher walls in order to help contain the gel inside.

Other implant materials may be available as well, including liquids and gels contained within silicone shells and shells made of other materials.  These alternative materials generally require rigorous testing to help determine the safety of the implants, and must pass the scrutiny of federal guidelines before they can be marketed.

In regards to explant procedures, these are generally performed in the same manner as modern implant surgery but serve to remove implants that have already been inserted into the body.  If the implant is being completely removed in order to restore the body to a more natural state, then the capsule of scar tissue that the implant was housed in will be removed surgically as well so as to better allow the body to heal completely.

Explant surgery is not always used to simply remove implants, however; in many cases an explant will occur in order to replace older implants with newer ones made of safer materials or to replace an implant with another of a slightly different size or shape.  In these cases the capsule of scar tissue may be left intact so that the new implant will cause less discomfort because there will be a smaller area of the body that requires healing, though if the new implant is being placed in a different position or location then some or all of the capsule tissue may need to be removed in order to ensure the best fit and most natural look and texture.

Additional surgical procedures may be performed in addition to an explant or an explant and reimplantation, especially in cases where the removal of the implant would cause sagging or loose skin.  Optional procedures such as liposuction of lifts may also be done at the same time as an explant, so as to prevent the patient from having to have multiple procedures and multiple recovery times.