Whether you’re experiencing health issues you believe are related to your breast implants or simply don’t want your implants anymore, Desert Plastic Surgery is your source for breast implant removal surgery in Arizona.
Over the years, we have performed more than 1,000 explant surgeries. Many patients come to their consultations with a list of questions for their plastic surgeon. To make your consultation as comprehensive and efficient as possible, we have compiled a list of the questions we hear most often. This allows us to focus on your individual circumstances, goals, and concerns.
Please review this list before your consultation and bring any additional questions you may have.
More and more patients come to us seeking breast implant removal because of breast implant illness.
Studies of symptoms related to cosmetic augmentation or reconstruction with breast implants are ongoing — and not all surgeons are convinced breast implant illness is real.
Most — but not all — of our patients who have their implants removed see an improvement or resolution of their symptoms.
After seeing so many women’s symptoms improve after implant removal and capsulectomy, we are firm believers that many women really are facing significant health issues related directly to their implants.
If you think you’re experiencing BII, we promise to listen carefully to your concerns and trust that you know your body.
“I first went to see Dr. Pierce in October 2019 about my chronic health issues tied to breast implant illness. I was able to schedule my explant that month. After a year, I went back and had a lift done. They are outstanding, and I will continue to see them for any future needs!”
“I needed an empathetic surgeon and supportive staff to help me through the process of my explant surgery — and I got all this and more. I'm feeling better and better every single day since the procedure. Christina is a huge advocate for those of us suffering from breast implant illness, and you could not be in better hands than you are with Dr. Pierce.”
“Dr. Pierce is knowledgeable, kind, patient, and has a deep care and concern for his patients. I had my breast implants removed with no lift after 15 years, and the results are everything I hoped for. My scars have healed well, too. Thank you for making me feel so at ease with the process and confident with my results!”
“Dr Pierce and his staff are amazing! My explant surgery and recovery have gone extremely well. My health has improved, and I am grateful to have found such a skilled surgeon!”
From the initial call through the surgery and post-operative care, the Desert Plastic Surgery team was thorough, compassionate, and always available to answer questions. Dr. Pierce gave me realistic expectations and took excellent care of me in the OR. I now have hope for a much healthier and happier future.
Yes. I have been board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery since 1999. You can verify your plastic surgeon’s certification by visiting abplasticsurgery.org, selecting the public information section, and searching for your surgeon’s name.
Yes. I have hospital privileges at HonorHealth Shea Medical Center.
Anesthesia is provided by Aesthetic Anesthesia Associates. We use only board-certified anesthesiologists. Most procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Each anesthesiologist has their own approach to anesthesia, so the specific medications used may vary from patient to patient.
Most of our surgeries are performed at Scottsdale McCormick Ranch Surgicenter. The facility is licensed by the State of Arizona and accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and Medicare.
Explant surgery does not typically require microsurgical techniques. However, I am trained in microsurgery and performed microsurgical procedures for many years. Plastic surgeons also receive microsurgical training during residency.
Yes. I have maintained an active Arizona medical license since 2001. You can verify my license status by visiting bomex.org and performing a physician search.
We attempt to perform an en bloc capsulectomy when technically feasible and appropriate.
An en bloc capsulectomy involves removing the implant and surrounding capsule together as a single unit without opening the capsule. The term complete intact capsulectomy is also used to describe removal of the implant and capsule together while keeping the capsule intact.
If the capsule is very thin or firmly attached to the ribs or chest wall muscles, intact removal may not be possible or advisable. In these cases, the implant is removed first, and the capsule is carefully dissected away from the surrounding structures under direct visualization and removed as completely as safely possible. We refer to this approach as a total precise capsulectomy.
Our goal is to remove the implant and the capsule as safely possible. No surgeon can guarantee a complete intact capsulectomy in every case. When appropriate, a carefully performed total Precise capsulectomy may be safer, preserve more normal tissue, and require a shorter incision.
Yes. We repair or reposition the pectoralis major muscle in patients whose implants were placed beneath the muscle or using a dual-plane technique.
Muscle repair serves several purposes.
Patients whose implants were placed above the pectoralis major muscle generally do not require muscle repair.
Surgical times are estimates and vary depending on the complexity of the procedure.
If your surgery takes longer than anticipated, there is no additional surgeon’s fee. However, additional operating room or anesthesia fees may apply.
Explant surgery is our most commonly performed surgical procedure, and we have performed more than 1,000 explant procedures.
Yes. I perform the surgery myself without a surgical assistant, resident, or student participating in the operation.
If you have an existing inframammary incision (under the breast), we typically use that scar and extend it as needed to perform the capsulectomy.
If your original incision was around the areola or in the armpit, we generally cannot use that incision to perform the capsulectomy. Instead, we will need to make a new incision along the lower portion of the breast.
If you require a mastopexy (lift), additional incisions will be required.
This area typically heals well, although every patient heals and scars differently.
We administer an intravenous dose of antibiotics immediately before surgery. Antibiotics are not routinely prescribed after surgery. We do not routinely use antifungal medications unless specifically indicated.
Steroids are not routinely used during surgery.
Yes. Cautery is a standard surgical technique used by plastic surgeons, including myself, to control bleeding during surgery.
Many patients can manage their postoperative discomfort with Tylenol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen. We also prescribe a limited amount of opioid pain medication, such as Percocet or Vicodin, unless you have a contraindication or a history of problems with these medications.
We encourage patients to avoid opioids unless they are needed for adequate pain control.
Yes. We prescribe Zofran (ondansetron), which dissolves under your tongue and can be taken if you experience nausea after surgery. We also prescribe Compazine (prochlorperazine) as a backup medication if Zofran is not effective.
Yes. We use drains in all explant and capsulectomy procedures. Drains typically remain in place for approximately one week.
We determine when your drain is ready for removal based on the amount of drainage and your postoperative progress.
After surgery, we will wrap your chest with an Ace bandage. You can remove the wrap after two days, shower, and put on the surgical bra we provide.
If you have a breast lift, we will remove the wrap the day after surgery, change your dressing, and put on your surgical bra.
We also use a device called Brijjit on the vertical incision to reduce tension on the incision and help support healing and scar formation. These devices typically fall off within two to three weeks.
We do not routinely use tape or surgical glue on our incisions. Most of your sutures will dissolve on their own, except for the suture securing your drain.
We can generally return your implants to you. However, returning a ruptured silicone gel implant may not be practical or appropriate. We can discuss this with you before surgery.
We can send your capsules to pathology upon request for an additional fee. Pathology examines the submitted tissue, and additional testing may be performed when indicated. Many patients leave this decision to Dr. Pierce’s discretion.
If the capsule appears abnormal or you have a history of textured implants, we will send the capsule to pathology for evaluation.
We do not routinely test for bacteria, biofilm, mold, or heavy metals unless specifically indicated.
We routinely photograph your implants and capsules after surgery and will provide these photographs to you.
We do not routinely record videos of the surgery or take photographs inside your chest.
BIA-ALCL is a rare type of lymphoma associated with certain textured breast implants.
We send capsules associated with textured implants, including those from patients with a history of previous textured implants, to pathology for evaluation. The pathologist will determine whether additional testing is indicated.
We do not routinely remove enlarged lymph nodes as part of explant surgery.
We make every effort to remove as much silicone as safely possible. When indicated, we use a specialized suction device called Explant Express, designed to help prevent ruptured silicone gel from spreading into surrounding tissues.
After removing the implant and capsule, we irrigate the implant pocket with a solution called Phase 1 if indicated.
When technically feasible and appropriate, we attempt an en bloc capsulectomy in cases involving ruptured silicone implants.
Infection after explant surgery is uncommon. Signs to watch for include increasing redness, swelling, and fever.
Please contact our office if you experience these symptoms or have any concerns about your recovery.
We are available to help if you experience problems after surgery. You can use our messaging system to contact Dr. Pierce and our staff. In an emergency, you can call the office to be connected directly to Dr. Pierce’s cell phone.
Please reserve routine questions for regular office hours whenever possible. If we are out of town, another plastic surgeon will cover our practice.
The number of follow-up appointments depends on whether you have a breast lift at the same time as your implant removal and capsulectomy.
If you have only an explant and capsulectomy, your scheduled follow-up appointments will generally be at one week, when your drain may be removed, six weeks, and six months after surgery.
If a breast lift is performed, we will also see you the day after surgery.
We are available to see you between scheduled appointments whenever necessary.
We do not accept insurance for explant surgery and are not contracted with most insurance companies. Depending on your insurance plan, you may have limited or no reimbursement options.
Please discuss any questions about insurance coverage or reimbursement with our office before scheduling your procedure.
If you have implant removal and capsulectomy alone, we have limited control over the final appearance of your breasts. Your results depend on several factors, including the amount of existing breast tissue, the size of your implants, your age, and your genetics.
It may take six months to a year to see your final results.
If you are a suitable candidate, a breast lift (mastopexy) or fat transfer may be options to improve the size, shape, and contour of your breasts after implant removal and capsulectomy.
This question is difficult to answer without examining you. If your nipples are below your breast crease or you have significant excess skin after implant removal, a breast lift may be indicated.
Maintaining an adequate blood supply to the nipple and areola is essential. Depending on your anatomy and surgical circumstances, it may not be advisable to perform a breast lift at the same time as implant removal and capsulectomy.
We will discuss the safest and most appropriate options for you during your consultation.
Yes. We often perform fat transfer to restore some of the volume lost after implant removal and capsulectomy.
We generally prefer to wait at least six months after implant removal and capsulectomy before performing fat transfer, allowing the breasts time to heal and settle.
You must also have sufficient fat in other areas of your body to use for the transfer.
Yes. We are happy to provide copies of your medical records, including your operative report, pathology report, and photographs, upon request.
Every patient is evaluated individually. As a general rule, all patients over 60 years of age are required to have a CBC (complete blood count), BMP or CMP (basic metabolic panel or comprehensive metabolic panel), and EKG before surgery. These requirements are established by the anesthesia team.
If you have had the required laboratory tests and EKG within two months of surgery, those results may be used. Medical clearance may also be required depending on your medical history.
We prefer to see patients in person whenever possible, but we understand that this is not always practical, especially for patients traveling from out of town.
If you are considering implant removal and capsulectomy alone, a virtual consultation may be an option. If you are considering a breast lift or other additional procedures, an in-person examination will generally be necessary to assess your anatomy and discuss the most appropriate surgical plan.
Many of our patients travel from out of state or from locations a considerable distance from Scottsdale. We make special arrangements to accommodate these patients.
We ask patients traveling from out of state, or those who live more than two hours from Scottsdale, to remain in the area for 24–48 hours after surgery. Some patients choose to stay for approximately one week so that their drains can be removed before they return home.
If you plan to take a long drive or fly after surgery, we may recommend or require the use of a sequential compression device (SCD), depending on your individual risk factors and travel plans. SCDs help reduce the risk of blood clots. Your postoperative travel plans and any additional precautions will be discussed with you before surgery.
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