Explant surgery day: anaesthesia, duration, drains and what to expect
Knowing exactly what happens on the day removes most of the anxiety around explant. Will you be asleep? How long does it take? Drains? Can you go home the same day? Here is a clear, step-by-step picture of the procedure itself.
The procedure itself is far less mysterious once it's laid out. Here's what to expect, from anaesthesia to going home.
Anaesthesia: usually general
For most explants — and any involving a capsulectomy — general anaesthesia with a board-certified anaesthesiologist is standard. Removing implant and capsule together isn't comfortably done under local alone. A very simple removal leaving the capsule can sometimes use local or sedation, but general anaesthesia is the safe, standard choice for the majority of cases.
How long it takes
Approximate operating time
- Simple removalAround 1 hour
- Total capsulectomyLonger
- En-bloc capsulectomyUp to ~2 hours per side
- Added lift / fat transferExtends further
Time tracks the technique — the more capsule work and reshaping, the longer the operation. Submuscular (under-muscle) implants and intact en-bloc removal take the most time.
Day-case or overnight?
Many explants — particularly simpler removals — are day-case: home the same day after recovery. More extensive capsulectomy, or explant with a lift, may warrant an overnight stay for monitoring, which can be reassuring for international patients. Either way, arrange for someone to accompany you home and ideally stay the first night or two.
Drains: depends on capsule work
Simple removal leaving a healthy capsule often needs no drains. When extensive capsule tissue is removed (total or en-bloc), drains are more commonly placed to clear fluid and reduce seroma risk, staying in for a number of days. Your surgeon tells you in advance what to expect; our recovery guide covers drain care day by day.
Incisions and scars
Surgeons usually work through your existing augmentation scars where possible — typically the breast crease or around the areola — so you often don't gain new scar locations. A lift adds incisions (around the areola, possibly to the crease). En-bloc removal of an intact capsule sometimes needs a slightly longer incision than a simple removal.
The day, step by step
- Before: fast as instructed; arrive at the facility.
- Pre-op: meet your surgeon and anaesthesiologist; mark-up and consent.
- Surgery: under general anaesthesia, the implant (and capsule, if indicated) is removed; any lift or fat transfer performed; drains placed if needed; incisions closed.
- Recovery: wake in a support garment, rest in recovery.
- Home: if day-case, home the same day with someone to accompany you; detailed aftercare provided.
What to arrange in advance:
Someone to accompany you home and stay the first night or two; a support garment (usually provided); your recovery space set up with essentials within reach; and time off — most patients take one to two weeks, depending on technique and work. Our week-by-week recovery guide helps you plan.
For international patients, our medical travel guide covers how the surgery day fits into the overall Istanbul itinerary, including arrival, stay and follow-up before flying home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is explant done under general anaesthesia?
Usually, yes — especially when a capsulectomy is involved. Removing the implant together with capsule tissue is not something done comfortably under local anaesthesia alone, so general anaesthesia with a board-certified anaesthesiologist is standard for most explants. A very simple removal leaving the capsule can sometimes be done under local or sedation, but for the majority of cases — and any capsulectomy — general anaesthesia is the safe, standard choice.
How long does explant surgery take?
It depends on the technique. A simple implant removal can take around an hour. A total capsulectomy takes longer. An en-bloc capsulectomy is the most time-consuming — potentially up to a couple of hours per side when the capsule is removed intact, particularly with submuscular implants. Adding a lift or fat transfer extends the time further. Your surgeon can estimate based on your implants and the planned technique.
Is explant an outpatient (day-case) procedure?
Often, yes. Many explants — particularly simpler removals — are day-case procedures: you go home the same day after a period in recovery. More extensive capsulectomy, or explant combined with a lift, may warrant an overnight stay for monitoring, especially for international patients who want closer early observation. You'll need someone to accompany you home and ideally stay with you the first night or two.
Will I have drains after explant?
It depends on how much capsule work is done. Simple removal leaving a healthy capsule often needs no drains. When extensive capsule tissue is removed (total or en-bloc), drains are more commonly placed to remove fluid and reduce seroma risk, and stay in for a number of days. Your surgeon will tell you in advance whether to expect drains based on your planned technique — see our recovery guide for how drain care works.
What incisions are used, and will I have new scars?
Surgeons usually work through your existing augmentation scars where possible — typically in the breast crease (inframammary fold) or around the areola — so you often don't gain entirely new scar locations. If a lift is added, that involves additional incisions (around the areola and possibly down to the crease). The capsulectomy technique can influence incision length: en-bloc removal of an intact capsule sometimes needs a longer incision than a simple removal.
What happens on the day of surgery?
You'll fast beforehand as instructed. On arrival you meet your surgeon and anaesthesiologist, mark-up and consent are completed, and you go to the operating room. Under general anaesthesia the implant (and capsule, if indicated) is removed, any lift or fat transfer is performed, drains are placed if needed, and incisions are closed. You wake in recovery in a support garment, rest for a period, and — if day-case — go home the same day with someone to accompany you. Detailed aftercare instructions are provided.