Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist
Medical Review Date: August 18, 2026
Breast implant removal in Turkey, also known as explant surgery, is a surgical procedure in which previously placed breast implants are removed. Depending on the reason for removal and the condition of the surrounding tissues, surgery may involve implant removal alone, partial or total capsulectomy, breast lift surgery, fat transfer or another individualized approach.
Breast implant removal is not one standard operation for every patient. The surgical plan depends on factors such as implant type, implant position, rupture, capsular contracture, breast shape, skin quality, previous operations and the patient’s reason for requesting explant surgery.
For patients whose treatment journey is coordinated through Clinic Care Center, breast implant removal surgery is performed by Op. Dr. Abdolreza Khash, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, at ISTUN Beylikduzu Kolan Hospital in Istanbul.
Clinic Care Center is a medical tourism provider that coordinates consultations, hospital arrangements and travel-related services for international patients. Medical assessment, suitability for implant removal, management of the implant capsule and all surgical decisions remain the responsibility of Op. Dr. Abdolreza Khash and the treating healthcare facility.
You can also explore our breast aesthetic procedures in Turkey for information about related breast surgery options.
Breast Implant Removal Turkey Cost 2026
The cost of breast implant removal depends heavily on what needs to be done in addition to removing the implant.
Current indicative 2026 price ranges coordinated through Clinic Care Center are:
| Procedure | Estimated 2026 Cost |
|---|---|
| Breast Implant Removal Only | $2,200–$2,800 |
| Implant Removal + Total Capsulectomy | $3,000–$3,800 |
| Implant Removal + Breast Lift | $3,800–$4,800 |
| Implant Removal + Fat Transfer | $3,500–$4,500 |
These prices are indicative estimates rather than guaranteed quotations for every patient.
The final cost may vary according to:
- Whether one or both implants are removed
- Implant type and position
- Whether an implant is intact or ruptured
- Condition and thickness of the implant capsule
- Presence of capsular contracture
- Whether partial or total capsulectomy is indicated
- Whether a breast lift is performed
- Whether fat transfer is included
- Previous breast operations
- Breast asymmetry
- Anesthesia requirements
- Hospital and operating-room requirements
- Preoperative imaging or tests when required
- Postoperative follow-up
- Accommodation and transfers when included
A personalized quotation should be provided after the patient’s implant history, medical information and proposed treatment plan have been assessed.
Who Performs Breast Implant Removal?
For patients coordinated through Clinic Care Center, breast implant removal is performed by Op. Dr. Abdolreza Khash, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon.
Before determining the surgical plan, Dr. Khash may evaluate:
- Original breast augmentation records when available
- Implant manufacturer and model
- Implant surface and filling material
- Implant age
- Implant position
- Possible rupture or deflation
- Capsular contracture
- Breast skin and tissue quality
- Nipple position
- Breast asymmetry
- Previous breast operations
- Current symptoms
- Medical history and medications
- Individual treatment goals
The appropriate operation is selected following individual medical assessment rather than automatically performing the same type of capsulectomy for every patient.
Where Is Breast Implant Removal Performed?
Breast implant removal procedures performed by Op. Dr. Abdolreza Khash for patients coordinated through Clinic Care Center take place at ISTUN Beylikduzu Kolan Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.
The surgeon and hospital are responsible for medical assessment, anesthesia, surgical treatment and clinical care. Clinic Care Center coordinates the international patient’s treatment journey and related arrangements.
Why Are Breast Implants Removed?
Patients consider explant surgery for many different reasons. Implant removal does not necessarily mean that the implant has failed or caused a medical problem.
Reasons may include:
- Personal preference
- Desire to return to a smaller or implant-free breast shape
- Implant rupture or deflation
- Capsular contracture
- Implant malposition
- Breast asymmetry
- Changes after pregnancy or weight loss
- Changes in aesthetic preferences
- Discomfort associated with implants
- Concerns about systemic symptoms
- Need for implant revision
- Rare implant-associated conditions requiring medical investigation
Patients who want to keep implants but correct a complication or change implant size can also read about breast implant revision in Turkey.
What Happens to the Capsule Around a Breast Implant?
After a breast implant is placed, the body normally forms a layer of scar tissue around it. This tissue is called the implant capsule.
The presence of a capsule is a normal biological response to an implanted medical device.
The capsule can vary in:
- Thickness
- Elasticity
- Calcification
- Adherence to surrounding tissues
- Degree of contraction
In some patients, the capsule remains soft and causes no problem. In others, it can become thickened or contract around the implant.
For more information, see our guide to capsular contracture treatment in Turkey.
Implant Removal Alone vs Capsulectomy
Removing a breast implant does not automatically mean that the entire capsule must also be removed.
Depending on the individual situation, surgical options may include:
- Implant removal without complete capsule removal
- Partial capsulectomy
- Total capsulectomy
- Total intact capsulectomy
- Oncologic en bloc capsulectomy in specific medically indicated situations
The decision depends on the condition of the capsule, implant integrity, symptoms, surgical risk and whether there is a specific medical indication for capsule removal.
What Is a Partial Capsulectomy?
A partial capsulectomy removes selected portions of the scar capsule while leaving other areas in place.
This approach may be considered when complete removal is not necessary or when removing a particular section could create unnecessary surgical risk.
The appropriate extent of capsule removal is determined by the treating surgeon following assessment.
What Is a Total Capsulectomy?
A total capsulectomy means removal of the entire breast implant capsule.
The capsule does not necessarily have to be removed in one intact piece for an operation to qualify as a total capsulectomy.
Total capsulectomy may be considered in selected circumstances depending on factors such as:
- Significant capsular contracture
- Abnormal or heavily calcified capsule
- Implant rupture
- Findings requiring further investigation
- Previous breast surgery
- Individual surgical considerations
It should not automatically be described as necessary for every patient requesting implant removal.
What Does “En Bloc” Breast Implant Removal Actually Mean?
The term en bloc capsulectomy is frequently used incorrectly in online breast implant removal information.
En bloc capsulectomy is not simply another name for removing an implant and its capsule together.
In current breast surgery terminology, an oncologic en bloc capsulectomy involves removing the implant capsule together with a margin of surrounding uninvolved tissue when there is an established or suspected breast implant-associated malignancy following appropriate medical work-up.
This is different from a total intact capsulectomy, where the complete capsule is removed as one unit but without an oncologic margin of surrounding tissue.
For this reason, patients should not automatically be told that “en bloc” is the safest or best option for routine explant surgery.
Is En Bloc Removal the Gold Standard for Breast Implant Illness?
No. Current professional consensus does not support describing en bloc capsulectomy as the routine gold-standard procedure for patients reporting systemic symptoms commonly referred to as Breast Implant Illness.
The extent of capsule removal should be discussed individually with the treating surgeon.
Capsulectomy itself is a more extensive surgical procedure than implant removal alone and can involve additional risks, particularly when the capsule is closely attached to the chest wall.
The potential benefits and surgical risks should therefore be considered together.
What Is Breast Implant Illness (BII)?
Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a term used by some patients and healthcare professionals to describe a range of systemic symptoms reported by some people with breast implants.
Reported symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
- Joint or muscle discomfort
- Memory concerns
- Skin symptoms
- Headaches
- Other non-specific systemic complaints
These symptoms can have many possible causes and should not automatically be attributed to breast implants without appropriate medical assessment.
Research into the relationship between breast implants and systemic symptoms is continuing.
Will Implant Removal Cure BII Symptoms?
No individual patient should be guaranteed that implant removal will cure systemic symptoms.
Some patients report improvement in symptoms after implant removal, while the cause and course of these symptoms remain incompletely understood.
A patient experiencing fatigue, joint symptoms, neurological symptoms or other systemic concerns may require broader medical evaluation before or alongside consultation with a plastic surgeon.
Explant surgery should therefore not be marketed as a guaranteed cure for autoimmune disease, fatigue, brain fog or other systemic conditions.
Breast Implant Removal and BIA-ALCL
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare lymphoma associated with breast implants, with a higher risk reported in patients with textured-surface implants compared with smooth implants.
BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer. It usually develops in the fluid or scar capsule surrounding the implant.
Symptoms that require medical evaluation can include:
- Persistent swelling around the implant
- A new breast or chest-wall mass
- Persistent pain
- A late fluid collection around the implant
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Unexplained hardening around the implant
Patients with these symptoms should undergo appropriate medical evaluation before surgery because a suspected implant-associated malignancy can change both diagnostic testing and the surgical approach.
Should Textured Breast Implants Be Removed Preventively?
The presence of a textured implant does not automatically mean that an asymptomatic patient requires preventive implant removal.
Patients concerned about their implant type should first identify the manufacturer and model where possible and discuss their individual risk factors with a qualified healthcare professional.
Patients with symptoms such as persistent swelling, a mass or pain require medical evaluation rather than proceeding directly to routine cosmetic explant surgery.
What Happens If a Breast Implant Is Ruptured?
The management of implant rupture depends partly on the type of implant.
Saline Implant Rupture
A saline implant generally loses volume as the saline leaves the implant shell, often making deflation visually noticeable.
Silicone Implant Rupture
Silicone implant rupture may be less obvious and can sometimes be detected through imaging rather than visible breast changes.
Silicone may remain within the surrounding capsule or, in some cases, extend beyond it.
The surgeon may consider implant integrity, imaging findings, silicone location and capsule condition when planning removal.
Do I Need Imaging Before Implant Removal?
Not every patient requires exactly the same preoperative imaging.
Depending on the implant type, age, symptoms and clinical examination, the treating team may consider:
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- Mammography when appropriate
- Additional diagnostic testing for suspicious fluid or a mass
Patients with a new breast mass, late swelling, unexplained fluid around an implant or other concerning symptoms may require specific diagnostic evaluation before explant surgery.
What Will My Breasts Look Like After Implant Removal?
The appearance of the breasts after implant removal varies considerably between patients.
Factors that influence the result include:
- Original breast volume
- Implant size
- How long implants have been present
- Skin elasticity
- Breast tissue quality
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding history
- Weight changes
- Degree of breast sagging
- Implant position
- Capsule treatment
After implant removal, breasts will generally have less volume. Some patients have relatively good skin contraction, while others may develop visible loose skin or breast ptosis.
It is therefore inappropriate to state that every patient requires a breast lift after implant removal.
Do I Need a Breast Lift After Implant Removal?
No. A breast lift is not automatically required after explant surgery.
Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) may be considered when there is significant loose skin or nipple descent after implant removal.
The need for a lift may depend on:
- Implant size
- Skin quality
- Remaining natural breast volume
- Nipple position
- Amount of breast ptosis
- Previous pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Weight changes
- Patient preference regarding scars and breast shape
Some patients may prefer implant removal alone and allow the tissues to settle before deciding whether additional reshaping is necessary.
Breast Implant Removal With Breast Lift
When clinically appropriate, explant surgery and mastopexy may be performed during the same operation.
This combination removes the implants while also reshaping the remaining breast tissue and removing selected excess skin.
Combining procedures can create additional scars and increase the extent of surgery.
The benefits and risks of simultaneous versus staged treatment should therefore be assessed individually.
Can Implants Be Replaced With Fat Transfer?
Selected patients may consider breast fat transfer after implant removal.
This technique uses fat collected by liposuction from another area of the patient’s body and transfers selected processed fat into the breasts.
Fat transfer cannot necessarily replace the full volume of a large breast implant in a single procedure.
Suitability depends on:
- Available donor fat
- Breast skin and tissue quality
- Desired volume
- Blood supply to the recipient tissue
- Previous breast surgery
- Individual medical considerations
Not all transferred fat survives permanently, and the amount of retained volume varies between patients.
Implant Removal vs Implant Replacement
Some patients do not want to become implant-free but instead want to replace an older implant, change size or correct an implant-related problem.
In these situations, breast implant revision may be considered instead of permanent explantation.
Revision options may include:
- Replacement with a different implant size
- Replacement with a different implant type
- Correction of implant position
- Capsule surgery when indicated
- Breast lift
- Fat transfer
- A combination of procedures
Patients considering new implants can also review our detailed breast augmentation in Turkey guide.
How Is Breast Implant Removal Surgery Performed?
The operation varies according to the existing implant and the additional procedures required.
In general, surgery may involve:
- Reviewing and marking the breasts before surgery.
- Administering the planned anesthesia.
- Accessing the implant, sometimes through a previous incision when appropriate.
- Removing the implant.
- Assessing and treating the capsule according to the surgical plan.
- Managing silicone or other abnormal findings if present.
- Performing a breast lift or fat transfer when included and medically appropriate.
- Closing the incisions.
This is a general educational overview and not a surgical protocol. The operation may be considerably different for a simple intact implant removal compared with rupture, severe capsular contracture or suspected implant-associated disease.
Is the Capsule Always Sent to Pathology?
Pathology requirements depend on the clinical situation and the tissue removed.
Abnormal capsule tissue, suspicious fluid, masses or other findings may require laboratory examination according to the treating team’s assessment.
Patients with signs that could indicate BIA-ALCL or another implant-associated condition require an appropriate diagnostic pathway rather than assuming that routine postoperative pathology alone is sufficient.
Breast Implant Removal Scars
Breast implant removal requires a surgical incision.
When appropriate, the surgeon may be able to use part of an existing breast augmentation scar, but this is not possible or appropriate in every case.
If a breast lift is added, additional scars will be required according to the mastopexy technique.
Scar appearance varies according to:
- Previous incision location
- Extent of surgery
- Individual healing
- Skin characteristics
- Smoking or nicotine use
- Infection
- Wound tension
- Previous scars
No surgical scar should be guaranteed to become invisible.
Recovery After Breast Implant Removal
Recovery depends significantly on whether the operation involves simple implant removal or more extensive procedures such as total capsulectomy, breast lift or fat transfer.
Early postoperative effects may include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Breast or chest tenderness
- Tightness
- Temporary changes in sensation
- Incision discomfort
- Temporary breast asymmetry related to swelling
A supportive postoperative bra or surgical garment may be recommended depending on the procedure.
Drains may be used in selected patients, particularly when more extensive capsule surgery is performed, but they are not necessarily required for every explant patient.
When Can I Return to Work?
There is no single return-to-work timeline for all breast implant removal patients.
A patient undergoing implant removal alone may have a different recovery from someone undergoing total capsulectomy and breast lift during the same operation.
Return to work depends on:
- Extent of surgery
- Type of work
- Pain and swelling
- Incision healing
- Additional procedures
- Individual recovery
- Surgeon’s postoperative assessment
When Can I Exercise After Explant Surgery?
Heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and activities involving significant chest or upper-body movement generally require temporary restriction.
The appropriate timeline depends on the operation and healing.
Patients should receive individual clearance from the treating surgeon rather than relying on a universal online schedule.
When Will My Breasts Settle After Implant Removal?
The appearance immediately after surgery is not the final breast shape.
During recovery:
- Swelling decreases
- Skin and breast tissue settle
- Incisions heal
- Scar tissue matures
- Breast shape may continue to change
Patients considering an additional breast lift after removal alone may sometimes be advised to allow the tissues to settle before making a final decision, depending on the clinical situation.
Risks and Possible Complications
Breast implant removal is a surgical procedure and carries potential risks.
These may include:
- Anesthesia-related complications
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Infection
- Fluid accumulation or seroma
- Poor wound healing
- Unfavorable scarring
- Breast asymmetry
- Contour irregularity
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Persistent pain
- Tissue damage
- Chest-wall or deeper tissue injury during difficult capsulectomy
- Pneumothorax in rare circumstances involving difficult chest-wall capsule dissection
- Residual silicone following rupture
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic outcome
- Need for additional or revision surgery
The risks of implant removal alone are not identical to the risks of total or extensive capsulectomy.
This is one reason the amount of capsule surgery should be individualized rather than automatically choosing the most extensive operation.
Breast Implant Removal and Future Breast Surgery
Removing breast implants does not necessarily prevent a patient from considering another breast procedure in the future.
Depending on anatomy and treatment goals, future options may include:
- Breast lift
- Fat transfer breast augmentation
- Breast augmentation with implants
- Breast implant revision
- Breast reduction when reduction of natural breast tissue is also indicated
The appropriate option should be selected after breast tissues have been assessed and the patient’s goals are clearly understood.
Travelling to Istanbul for Breast Implant Removal
International patients considering explant surgery should understand both the planned operation and postoperative arrangements before travelling.
Important information to confirm includes:
- The treating surgeon
- The hospital
- The implant removal technique proposed
- Whether capsulectomy is planned and why
- Whether a breast lift or fat transfer is included
- Anesthesia arrangements
- Preoperative imaging or testing when required
- Estimated treatment cost
- What is included in the quotation
- Expected hospital stay
- Postoperative appointments
- Recommended stay in Istanbul
- Return-travel planning
- Post-treatment communication arrangements
Patients with suspicious swelling, a mass or other implant-related symptoms should undergo appropriate medical assessment before travel and surgery planning.
How Clinic Care Center Supports International Patients
Clinic Care Center is a medical tourism provider that coordinates treatment arrangements for international patients travelling to Istanbul.
For patients considering breast implant removal, coordination services may include:
- Arranging consultation with Op. Dr. Abdolreza Khash
- Communication with the treating surgeon
- Hospital and appointment coordination
- Treatment quotation coordination
- Pre-treatment information
- Accommodation arrangements where applicable
- Airport and local transfers where applicable
- Post-treatment communication and coordination
Clinic Care Center does not diagnose implant-related conditions, determine suitability for surgery or perform breast implant removal. Medical assessment, diagnostic decisions, capsulectomy planning, treatment recommendations, prescriptions, anesthesia decisions and surgery remain the responsibility of Op. Dr. Abdolreza Khash and the treating healthcare facility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Implant Removal
Who performs breast implant removal for Clinic Care Center patients?
For patients whose treatment journey is coordinated through Clinic Care Center, breast implant removal is performed by Op. Dr. Abdolreza Khash, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon.
Where is breast implant removal performed?
Procedures performed by Op. Dr. Abdolreza Khash for Clinic Care Center patients take place at ISTUN Beylikduzu Kolan Hospital in Istanbul.
How much does breast implant removal cost in Turkey in 2026?
Current indicative prices begin at approximately $2,200–$2,800 for implant removal alone. Procedures involving capsulectomy, breast lift or fat transfer may have higher estimated costs depending on the individual treatment plan.
Does the capsule always need to be removed?
No. The appropriate management of the capsule depends on its condition, implant integrity, symptoms, previous surgery and medical findings. Complete capsulectomy is not automatically necessary for every implant removal.
Are total capsulectomy and en bloc removal the same thing?
No. Total capsulectomy means complete removal of the implant capsule. En bloc capsulectomy is an oncologic term involving removal of the capsule with a margin of surrounding uninvolved tissue in specific cases of suspected or established implant-associated cancer.
Is en bloc removal necessary for Breast Implant Illness?
It should not be presented as automatically required. Patients reporting systemic symptoms need individual medical assessment, and the extent of capsule removal should be decided after discussing potential benefits and surgical risks.
Will removing my implants cure BII?
Some patients report improvement in systemic symptoms after implant removal, but improvement cannot be guaranteed and the causes of these symptoms remain under investigation.
Do I need a breast lift after implant removal?
No. Some patients may benefit from a breast lift because of skin laxity or nipple descent, while others may choose implant removal alone. The need for mastopexy depends on individual breast anatomy and treatment goals.
Can I replace my implants with my own fat?
Selected patients may be considered for fat transfer after implant removal. The achievable volume depends on donor fat availability, breast tissue characteristics and how much transferred fat survives.
What happens if my implant is ruptured?
Management depends on whether the implant is saline or silicone, the location of any silicone gel, capsule condition and other clinical findings. Imaging may be required before determining the surgical plan.
Should I remove textured implants if I have no symptoms?
Routine preventive removal solely because an implant is textured is not automatically recommended. Patients should identify their implant type where possible and discuss individual risks and symptoms with a qualified healthcare professional.
How long does breast implant removal recovery take?
Recovery varies significantly according to whether the operation involves implant removal alone or additional procedures such as capsulectomy, mastopexy or fat transfer. Individual postoperative instructions should be followed.
Request Information About Breast Implant Removal in Turkey
If you are considering breast implant removal in Turkey, Clinic Care Center can coordinate a consultation with Op. Dr. Abdolreza Khash and provide information about treatment arrangements at ISTUN Beylikduzu Kolan Hospital.
Where available, patients may be asked to provide details about their existing implants, previous operation records, symptoms and relevant imaging to support the initial assessment.
The final treatment recommendation, including whether capsule removal, breast lift or another procedure is appropriate, is made by Op. Dr. Abdolreza Khash following individual medical assessment.
Medical References
- U.S. FDA – Risks and Complications of Breast Implants
- U.S. FDA – Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons – Breast Implant Capsulectomy Definitions and Management
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons – Breast Implant Safety
Medical Disclaimer
This page is provided for general informational and educational purposes and does not replace diagnosis, medical advice or an individual consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
Suitability for breast implant removal, management of the implant capsule, the need for capsulectomy, potential benefits, risks, recovery and expected outcomes vary between patients. Final medical decisions are made by the treating surgeon following individual clinical assessment.
