Breast Implant Removal (Explant Surgery) in Portland, Oregon
There are many personal reasons you might consider breast implant removal in Portland, Oregon—from lifestyle changes or evolving aesthetic preferences to concerns about breast implant complications or simply wishing to restore natural breasts. Whatever your motivation, explant surgery offers a thoughtful way to regain peace of mind and physical comfort while honoring the journey you’ve taken so far.
At Gilson Plastic Surgery, board‑certified plastic surgeon Dr. Aaron Gilson brings extensive experience in explant surgery, capsulectomy, breast implant revision, and exchange procedures. His compassionate, individualized approach focuses on safety, meticulous technique, and achieving a balanced, natural‑looking outcome that aligns with your current goals. Whether you seek a straightforward removal, a smooth transition with breast implant exchange in Portland, or a complete capsulectomy, Dr. Gilson guides you through every step—prioritizing your well‑being and renewed confidence.
Considering Breast Implant Removal? Reasons & Reassurance in Portland
Addressing Discomfort or Complications
Some women experience physical changes that make their implants feel less comfortable over time. Capsular contracture treatment in Portland—removing implants and the scar tissue that tightens painfully around them—can relieve hardness, distortion, or aching. Likewise, if you’re worried about a leak or breast‑implant rupture symptoms in Oregon (such as sudden deflation, swelling, or asymmetry), explant surgery restores safety and symmetry in a single procedure.
Others seek removal due to systemic concerns like Breast Implant Illness (BII) in Portland, reporting fatigue, joint pain, or brain fog they believe are linked to their devices. While research continues, many patients find peace of mind and symptom relief after explant and complete capsulectomy. Whatever the complication, Dr. Gilson validates your experience, focuses on gentle techniques, and prioritizes your comfort and well‑being throughout recovery.
Seeking a More Natural Look or Change in Preference
Aesthetic tastes evolve. You may now desire a smaller cup size, lighter feel, or breast shape that better matches an active lifestyle. Choosing removal to desire smaller breasts in Portland is entirely valid and often liberating—allowing clothing to fit differently, workouts to feel easier, and self‑image to align with your current stage of life.
After explant, Dr. Gilson can refine your contour with a lift or natural breast contouring after implants via fat transfer if you’d like subtle volume. His goal is to preserve the beauty of your natural tissue, minimize scarring, and leave you with a proportional, feminine silhouette that feels authentically yours.
Updating or Exchanging Implants
If you still love the idea of implants but want a size change or newer technology, implant exchange in Portland lets you swap aging devices for modern options with improved durability and shape. Some patients choose to combine removal with fat transfer for a hybrid approach—soft, natural fat at the upper pole and a smaller implant for projection.
Whether you’re addressing longevity concerns or simply refreshing your look, Dr. Gilson guides you through every possibility. His comprehensive understanding of explant, exchange, and fat‑grafting techniques means your next chapter begins with confidence and a tailored solution that fits your goals today—and tomorrow.
Your Breast Implant Removal Procedure: Precision & Care in Portland
Understanding the Excision: With or Without Capsulectomy
During your breast implant removal procedure in Portland, Dr. Gilson typically re‑opens the original implant incision—whether in the inframammary fold, around the areola, or under the arm—to minimize new scarring. The implant is then gently removed, and Dr. Gilson evaluates the surrounding capsule of scar tissue that naturally forms around every implant. If the capsule is thin and healthy, it may be left in place to dissolve on its own; however, if you’re experiencing capsular contracture, rupture, or systemic symptoms, a complete or partial capsulectomy surgery in Portland may be recommended.
For patients requesting “en bloc” explant—removal of the implant and capsule together—Dr. Gilson assesses safety first: when the capsule is thin and separable from surrounding tissues, this explant surgery technique can be performed. If it’s firmly attached to ribs or vital structures, he may remove it in sections to avoid unnecessary trauma while still achieving a clean, safe implant removal. Throughout the process, meticulous attention to hemostasis and sterile technique safeguards your health and promotes smooth healing.
Options After Removal: Reshaping or Natural Contouring
Once the implants (and capsule, if indicated) are removed, you and Dr. Gilson decide how to shape the new contour. Some women prefer to let their breasts settle naturally; the skin gradually retracts over several weeks, revealing a softer, modestly sized breast. Others opt for immediate breast reshaping after implants: a short‑scar breast lift after implant removal in Portland can reposition tissue and nipples higher on the chest, reducing excess skin for a youthful profile.
If you’d like to preserve a hint of fullness without returning to implants, fat transfer after explant in Portland offers a natural option. Dr. Gilson harvests a small amount of fat from areas like the flanks or thighs, purifies it, and layers it into the breast mound to create gentle upper‑pole volume. Whether you choose natural settling, lifting, or fat grafting, every step is tailored to your anatomy and goals, ensuring safe implant removal in Oregon that restores comfort, confidence, and a shape that feels authentically yours.
Hi, I’m Dr. Aaron Gilson
As a board-certified plastic surgeon with fellowship training in aesthetic surgery, I have always been passionate about helping individuals achieve their personal vision of beauty and confidence. My approach combines meticulous attention to detail, advanced surgical techniques, and a compassionate understanding of each patient's unique desires and concerns. I believe that breast augmentation is more than just a procedure—it's a transformative journey that can significantly enhance one’s self-esteem and quality of life. By providing personalized care and leveraging the latest innovations in the field, I am dedicated to ensuring that each patient receives the best possible outcomes, tailored to harmonize with their body and aspirations. Whether you're looking to restore volume lost to time or pregnancy, or simply enhance your natural contours, I am here to support and guide you through every step of your enhancement journey.
Breast Implant Removal FAQs
What is the typical cost of breast implant removal in Portland?
Pricing depends on surgical complexity—whether you need a simple explant, full capsulectomy, or a lift/fat transfer at the same time. During your consultation, we provide an exact quote that includes surgeon’s fee, facility, and anesthesia, so you understand the full breast implant removal cost in Portland before scheduling.
What is recovery like after explant surgery?
Most patients describe the first week as mild to moderate soreness managed with prescription medication and a surgical bra. You’ll have detailed instructions and 24/7 access to our team; light activity resumes in 3–5 days, and typical explant surgery recovery in Portland allows non‑strenuous work by two weeks.
Will my breasts sag after implant removal?
Skin elasticity, implant size, and how long you’ve had implants all influence post‑explant shape. If you have noticeable laxity, Dr. Gilson may recommend a simultaneous or staged breast lift after implant removal in Portland to restore a perky contour; otherwise, many breasts settle naturally with time and supportive bras.
Can I get new implants after removal?
Yes. Some women opt for implant exchange in Portland—choosing a different size, shape, or modern cohesive‑gel implant after removing older devices. Others replace implants with fat transfer for a subtler result. Dr. Gilson will outline the safest timing and options during your consultation.
Is capsular contracture removal always necessary?
Not always. If the capsule is thin and symptom‑free, it can remain in place and gradually soften. For painful tightness, rippling, or rupture, a partial or total capsular contracture removal in Portland provides relief and optimizes breast appearance. Dr. Gilson tailors the approach to your anatomy and goals.
How long does breast implant removal take?
A straightforward explant usually takes 60–90 minutes. Procedures involving total capsulectomy or additional reshaping (lift or fat grafting) may extend to two to three hours. Regardless of length, your breast implant removal procedure time includes meticulous closure for the best cosmetic result.
When can I return to normal activities after explant surgery?
Most patients resume desk work within two weeks and ease back into low‑impact exercise at three weeks, saving upper‑body workouts for six weeks post‑op. Following Dr. Gilson’s timeline helps reduce swelling, protect healing tissue, and ensure a smooth return to normal activities after explant surgery in Oregon.