Choosing an Explant Surgeon

Explant surgery is technically demanding. The wrong surgeon doesn't just give a worse cosmetic result — they can miss BIA-ALCL, leave capsule tissue, or fail to address the issues that brought you to surgery in the first place. Here are the 12 questions that separate skilled explant specialists from general plastic surgeons.

1. Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon?

Many surgeons of various specialties perform breast surgery. For explant, you specifically want:

• Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery board certification (5-year residency)
• NOT general surgery only, NOT ENT, NOT gynecology
• NOT "cosmetic surgeon" without formal plastic surgery training

In Turkey: verify with TPRECD registry. In US: ABPS. In UK: GMC + specialist register.

2. What international certifications do you hold?

Look for:

• FACS — Fellow of American College of Surgeons
• FEBOPRAS / EBOPRAS — European Board certification
• Society memberships: ISAPS, IPRAS, EURAPS

These are independent third-party competency markers.

3. How many explant procedures do you perform annually?

Volume matters for technically demanding procedures:

• Less than 50/year: Light experience
• 50-100/year: Moderate experience
• 100+/year: Significant focus on explant work

Ask specifically about explant volume — not total breast surgery volume.

4. What percentage are en-bloc capsulectomies?

A surgeon who:

• Does en-bloc in 80%+ of textured implant cases → experienced
• Always recommends partial capsulectomy → may be technically limited
• Says "en-bloc isn't necessary" without considering your specific situation → red flag
• Can articulate when en-bloc is and isn't feasible → trustworthy

5. Is capsule pathology standard for your practice?

The answer must be YES, particularly for textured implants. If not standard, find another surgeon.

Follow-up questions:

• Which pathology lab?
• Is the pathologist experienced with breast implant capsules?
• Will I receive the report?
• Is this included in the price?

6. Where will the surgery be performed?

For explant surgery:

• Full-service private hospital with surgical theater, ICU capability, full anesthesia team
• NOT an outpatient clinic only
• NOT a doctor's office procedure suite
• Hospital should be JCI-accredited or equivalent national standard

7. Who is the anesthesiologist?

Verify:

• Board-certified anesthesiologist (MD), not nurse anesthetist alone
• Available during the entire surgery
• Hospital has appropriate emergency capabilities

8. What is your complication rate, and how do you manage complications?

A surgeon who claims zero complications is either inexperienced or dishonest. Real surgeons can discuss:

• Their typical complication rates (hematoma, seroma, infection, etc.)
• How they manage complications when they occur
• What happens if you have a complication after returning home
• Who is the 24/7 contact

9. What is your follow-up protocol?

• How many in-person follow-up visits?
• Is there WhatsApp/video follow-up for international patients?
• Photo follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 12 months?
• What happens at 5 years?
• What is the protocol if you have concerns after returning home?

10. Can I see relevant case examples?

Look for:

• Not just curated website examples — the surgeon should show a broader archive in person
• Three angles (front, oblique, side)
• Natural lighting — no filters
• Cases similar to your situation (skin type, age, implant duration, etc.)
• Final result (6-12 months post-op) — not just immediate post-op
• Cases where lift was vs wasn't combined — both situations relevant

11. What is the pricing structure?

Important: Turkish Ministry of Health regulations prohibit price advertising on websites. However, you should receive a clear personalized quote after consultation, including:

• What's included (anesthesia, hospital, pathology, follow-ups)
• What's not included (medications, accommodation)
• Payment terms
• Complication management policy

Avoid surgeons who advertise "promotional pricing" or "this month only" deals. Medical care is not a marketing product.

12. Do I feel listened to?

Red flags

• Pressure to book immediately
• "Special pricing" deadlines
• Vague or evasive answers about technique
• Won't show extensive case examples
• Pathology is "optional" or "extra cost"
• Dismissive of BII or symptoms you describe
• "Guaranteed outcome" promises
• No clear answer on complication management
• Surgery in clinic instead of hospital
• Reluctant to discuss credentials or volume

Frequently Asked Questions

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