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How Do I Find a Trustworthy Doctor for Breast Explantation?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by David Finkle, MD
Question viewed 7,372 times
Tags: doctor referral, explant

I need to get an explantation, but don't have any idea how to find a surgeon. How do I find a trustworthy doctor to do the procedure? My GP couldn't help me with this question. I live in Florida.

28 answers to How Do I Find a Trustworthy Doctor for Breast Explantation?

+8

Some basic questions to ask

There are some basic questions that patients can ask to better understand the surgeon, the breast explantation procedure, and the practice. Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? Are you a Fellow of American or International College of Surgeons? Are you a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery? Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery? Will you be performing the breast explantation procedure in a hospital or private... more
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+3

Credentials, then questions

Once you have checked the credentials of the doctor (board certified in plastic surgery, hospital affiliations, where did they go to school, ASAPS, ASPS, years in practice, experience, etc.), you may want to ask questions during your consultation with the doctor. A straightforward explantation of a breast implant is a technically easy procedure. However, will all the scar tissue be removed? Does it all need to be removed? What will the breasts look like afterward? Is a lift required? ... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Finding a good plastic surgeon for breast surgery

This is always challenging but the good news is that there are many ways. First, search the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website for a surgeon in your area, www.plasticsurgery.org. These are all board certified plastic surgeons and is a good place to start. You should only have surgery with a surgeon Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Find out in your community the name of a general surgeon who specializes in breast cancer. You can find out about this by... more
Tracy Pfeifer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Board Certification is key

The key to well trained experts in plastic surgery is board certification. Do your research and be sure to find a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In addition be sure to find out if your plastic surgeon has experience in explantation and revision breast augmentation. In our San Francisco area practice we spend significant amounts of time with patients unhappy with their breast implants to discuss all options and likely outcomes. I hope this helps! more
Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Check with friends, your MD, and the ASPS web site

What you want is an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgeon who has a significant experience in breast implant and explant surgery. The recommendations of the other doctors here as to how to research this are excellent. Explantation of saline is simple, gel can be more complex if it is ruptured and anticipating what you will look like after explantation is something that comes from experience in doing this. Some patients need nothing, some might need lifting. These should be... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Finding a qualified surgeon for implant removal

Please do your homework! Most people put more time and effort picking out a car dealer than a surgeon who is going to operate on them. With the Internet it is very easy to research different surgeons. Here is what you should look for: Board Certified in Plastic Surgery (Not Cosmetic Surgery-that is a self designated board, not a real American Board of Medical Specialties Board) Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Performs frequent breast... more
David Finkle, MD

Omaha Plastic Surgeon
+1

Finding your surgeon

I agree that you need to do your research, choose a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (not cosmetic surgery) and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. From here, you know you are selecting from qualified surgeons. You need to meet with the surgeon, see many examples of their work and talk to patients about their experience with the surgeon and the staff. If there is a way to speak to and meet patients who have undergone a... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant removal option

Breast implants are ideally removed by the plastic surgeon who initially put them in. If you wish to look for another surgeon, look for a board certified plastic surgeon. You can find the list of your local plastic surgeons on plasticsurgery.org website. You can review their ratings on ratemds.com as well as on this site. Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD
Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

How to choose a breast implant surgeon

First find a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Go for a consultation so that you can be evaluated and have a thorough discussion of your concerns.  At that time you should get the answers to your questions and have a sense of this surgeon, his office and how comfortable and satisfied you are with your experience. Seek additional consultations with other American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgeons until you are fully satisfied with your choice.... more
Fredrick A. Valauri, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

+1

How to find a plastic surgeon in my home town

Go to the web site of the american society for aesthetic surgery. Put you zip code. You will get referred to a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Farhad Rafizadeh, MD

Morristown Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Explantation Doctor

Usually the plastic surgeon who placed the implants can also remove the implants. Ask around, we have found the local beauty parlor is often the best referral source for a good plastic surgeon. The ladies talk all the time and expose the truth about doctors to their hair stylists.
James Apesos, MD

Dayton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implant Removal

Most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons will be more than qualified to have your implants removed.  It is a far simpler procedure than the initial augmentation.
Siamak Agha, MD, PhD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implant Explantation

Finding a qualified breast implant removal surgeon is quite simple these days. Check our society's website at www.PlasticSurgery.org and see who practices in your geographic area. after making a short list, review the credentials of a few of them and see them in consultation. go with the one you feel most comfortable with and you will do well. Good Luck.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Call your local hospital

Hello, Try calling your local hospital and ask for the medical staff department. Then ask who does the breast cancer reconstruction at that hospital and go from there.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Word of mouth is the best referral

A board certified plastic surgeon with good training is key in getting the best results and an honest approach to this clinical issue. Word of mouth referral is the best. Checking qualifications,hospital affiliations and seeing pre and post operative picture is key.
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Removing saline or silicone implants

Explantation of silicone or saline implants is not technically challenging and should only be done by a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. The key question arises with the remaining breast tissue. Find a surgeon with enough experience and good bedside manner who can discuss the consequences and goals of treatment after explantation.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Selecting a Plastic Surgeon

Checking the background, training and experience of a plastic surgeon is imperative. Asking your GP was a great way to start. If he or she can't help, you may want to ask yur ObGyn. Go to plasticsurgery.org to find plastic surgeons in your area certified by the American Board of Plastic Sutgeon, and also check the background of any surgeon you consider on the website for your state medical board. If you are satisfied that your surgeon has the appropriate training, experience and credentials,... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon
+1

Start with ASAPS or ASPS

You should begin your search by seeking a board-certified plastic surgeon by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. You can find a list of surgeons who specialize in aesthetic plastic surgery, who are board-certified, at surgery.org (the website for The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). Take a look at surgeons' personal websites, check out their credentials and before and after photos, then go in for a consultation and ask many questions. There are many good plastic... more
Sanjay Grover MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Finding a qualified doctor

For removal of breast implants, you should find a qualified plastic surgeon that is board certified.  You can easily find board certified plastic surgeons in your area by referring to organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Good luck.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

The American Board of Plastic Surgeons

Check the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, ABPS, website, www.abplsurg.org for a listing of certified surgeons in your area. From there you can meet with a few of them and see who you are comfortable with. Anyone board certified by the ABPS is qualified to perform your procedure. Good luck!
Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Find a Surgeon Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

I agree with the posters above. The most important thing is to find a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. That way you will know they have the credentials and training to perform this surgery. Ask to see photos of patients they have explanted. This is not a terribly common operation, but one that most experienced aesthetic plastic surgeons perform on occasion. Finally, make sure you feel comfortable with the time the surgeon is spending with you. If that... more
Anthony Youn, MD

Detroit Plastic Surgeon
+1

Do your homework and check into the credentials of each plastic surgeon.

So who is qualified to do your breast surgery? Let’s keep this practical as possible; it is about the individual plastic surgeon. Do your homework and thoroughly check into his/her background. Specifically: Find out where he/she went to medical school, residency training, and fellowship training. Confirm that she/he is board certified and by what organization. Investigate that organization; unfortunately, there are bogus boards out there whose qualifications for membership are... more
Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

Englewood Plastic Surgeon
+1

Another issue to consider

I agree very much with the recommendations given regarding finding a board certified plastic surgeon to remove your implants. One other thing to consider in your discussion with whomever you meet is the condition of your soft tissues and the anticipated appearance of your breasts following explantation. Quite frequently, due to the stretching of the overlying skin and soft tissues by the breast implants, one may require a breast lift operation that can be performed at the time of... more
Brian S. Glatt, MD

Morristown Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pick a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and ask him how he would do it.

Removing implants is not a difficult operation . (By the way, why do you need an explantation? It's unusual.) There are two steps that, in my opinion, must be taken to avoid fluid accumulation (a seroma) after surgery. First, the capsule around the implants must be either curetted or removed. Second, you need suction drains which stay in place at least one week. I hope this is helpful. You already have several good suggestions for finding a surgeon.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ask your physician; check credentials

Hi there- I agree that the best way to know you are getting the best trained and experienced surgeon is to check for a few key pieces of information of their background: Board Certification be The American Board of Plastic Surgery Significant experience and training in breast procedures Residency training at an accredited institution IN PLASTIC SURGERY Provided the above criteria are met, and provided you like and get along with the surgeon, this should assure a good working relationship... more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

+1

Check with your local hospital or ASPS for a referral

Any qualified plastic surgeon should be able to help you with an implant removal. Sometimes it is a simple matter of just removing the implant and other times the capsule surrounding the implant must be removed. as well. Call you local hospital and ask for a referral. You could also contact the American Society for Plastid Surgery at www.plasticsurgery.org for a listing of quallififed, board certified plastic surgeons in your area. I hope this helps you.
Jeffrey Zwiren, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Physician referral

I would ask your gynecologist. Every woman who has had a breast implant or trouble with breast implants has seen a gynecologist. Gynecologists also usually have need to refer to plastic surgeons for breast issues and good doctors usually refer to other good doctors. If you do not find success there, try the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and ask for a referral to a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area. Good luck.
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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