Finding the right explant surgeon for you and for your situation is extremely important. The questions you ask will help to determine a surgeon’s experience, what you can expect before, during and after surgery, and if they will be a good fit for you.
Below is a full list of questions that you can ask a surgeon during your consultation. You can choose which questions are important to you.
I have also included a pdf at the bottom that you can print out to take with you. You can write in any other questions on your printout that are specific to you that might not be covered in the list.
Knowing these answers can help with your peace of mind. It’s your body and your right to know.
Surgeon background and experience
- How many explants have you performed?
- Do you have microsurgery training?
- Do you guarantee full removal of capsules (enbloc/total capsulectomy)? Can you put this in writing?
- How often do you usually achieve enbloc (80% of the time? 50%?)
Surgery
- Where will the surgery be? At a hospital or private clinic?
- How long will the surgery take?
- Will you take photos (multiple angles) of the implants and capsules once they are removed?
- Do you put drains in?
- If you don’t use drains, why?
- If you do, what percentage of patients usually end up with them?
- How long are they usually in for? Who will remove them?
- Do you think I will need a lift?
- Will any foreign materials be used, such as mesh? (Foreign objects can cause an auto-immune response similar to implants, and continue to make you sick)
- Can you even out asymmetry?
- If I have a rupture and silicone has leached into the chest, will you try remove as much as possible?
- What should I expect in terms of size of explant incision scars?
- Do you have pre-surgery directions for avoiding supplements, medications, foods?
- Will I receive antibiotics during the surgery? Should I take a probiotic after surgery?
- Can I see before and after photos of previous patients?
Post-surgery
- Will you send me home with post-op instructions?
- What should I be concerned about after surgery and when should I call you?
- Is there an after-hours number I can call after surgery if I have any issues?
- Will you return my implants to me if I want them? If you plan to pursue anything legally your surgeon will need to seal them in a bag and a chain of custody will need to be maintained.
- Do you send the capsules to pathology for testing?
- If you have textured implants: Will CD30 BIA-ALCL testing be done to rule out BIA-ALCL? This is important if you have textured implants.
- How many follow up appointments will I have? When are they?
- How long until I can safely drive?
- Do you send me home with a bra or do I need to purchase one ahead of time?
- Do you have post-surgery directions for compression, wound care, sleeping, and massage?
- When can I shower?
- How long should I not lift my arms?
- Can I get a copy of my operative notes after surgery?
- Will the stitches be dissolvable, or will they need to be removed?
- Is there a charge for that?
- How long will it take for my incisions to close?
- What if I am not happy with my results?
