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La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre
9850 Genesee Ave Suite 130
La Jolla, CA 92037
Call: (858) 452-1981 Text: (858) 203-2944
Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
When performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, breast augmentation is a safe procedure with high patient satisfaction. But over the years, sometimes preferences change or complications arise, and you may find yourself no longer wanting augmented breasts.
You may be a candidate for explantation or breast implant removal for medical or personal reasons. The intent of this surgery is the removal of your implants and possible removal of capsules (scar tissue) and local silicone.
Here at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, our board-certified plastic surgeons and San Diego breast implant removal (explant surgery) specialists have many years of experience safely removing breast implants and performing any lifting necessary to ensure an attractive, natural-looking result.
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There’s no across-the-board answer for if and when a patient should have her breast implants removed. Sometimes, complications merit it, but most of the time, it’s a personal decision. Our blog post, “Wondering About Replacing Your Breast Implants?“, has some super helpful information to inform your decision, and we invite you have a consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun.
97% Patient Satisfaction
* These are actual patient comments verified by a 3rd party. The claims made represent the opinion of the review author.
If the tissue capsule around your breast implant doesn’t exhibit any concerns, our plastic surgeons may remove your implant and leave your capsule intact. However, some implant removal surgeries require partial or total removal of the breast implant capsule (capsulectomy). Our skilled breast surgeons have extensive experience performing capsulectomy techniques, including:
Recent guidelines recommend exploring en bloc capsulectomy only when BIA-ALCL is established or suspected following a thorough medical evaluation. During your personalized consultation, we’ll determine whether a capsulectomy is right for you and, if so, which technique best suits your needs.
Those who have poor skin elasticity or have very large implants removed may want to consider a breast lift when having their implants removed.
Excess or stretched skin can cause breasts to sag, and a breast lift performed during the same surgery to remove excess skin can help to maintain an aesthetically pleasing breast shape. Our board-certified plastic surgeons will help you decide whether a breast lift will benefit you.
The procedure can be done under local anesthesia if just the implants that were placed during your breast augmentation surgery are being removed. If capsules or scar tissue around the implants are also being removed, sedation and local or general anesthesia will be required.
At LJCSC, we want you to enjoy beautiful results and peace of mind! We now offer high-resolution ultrasound imaging to screen silicone breast implants. Why ultrasound? It’s safe, comfortable, and more affordable than MRI while providing reliable detection of silent rupture, seroma, and other issues. Learn more »
Since 1988, more than 36,000 patients have had safe, successful procedures at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre
If you want to remove your implants without losing your shirt, we’ve got you! Our affordable breast implant removal payment plans include paying only $1,200 upfront—and you can qualify for monthly payments of only $163 spread over 48 months with average credit. If you have above-average credit or can make a larger initial payment, you’ll save even more per month!
Depending on the complexity of your procedure, your pricing can vary. However, you can find the details you’re looking for, including fee ranges, by hopping over to our pricing page.
Still stressed about how to pay? Not to worry! We’ve made applying for financing more effortless than ever online, or we’ll guide you through it during your consultation. Let’s get you started on your journey to looking and feeling your very best!
Please call or text La Jolla Cosmetic at (858) 452-1981 for more information on our cosmetic surgery procedures, including revision breast augmentation surgery. Or request your free consultation online to get started today.
Last reviewed by a La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre Editor on May 8th, 2025. Meet Our Medical Editors
![[The La Jolla Cosmetic Podcast cover art] San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun reassuring a parient in the OR](https://www.ljcsc.com/content/uploads/2025/01/LJC180-blog.jpg)
Watch: Listen: Here’s the answer to the question every woman considering implant removal surgery asks: “What will my breasts look like after I remove my implants?” Achieving a beautiful shape after saying goodbye to implant volume takes a skilled surgeon. San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun explains everything you need to know about breast …
![[The La Jolla Cosmetic Podcast cover art] A model's hand holding a breast implant](https://www.ljcsc.com/content/uploads/2024/08/Copy-of-blog-featured-image.jpg)
Watch: Listen: The term “en bloc” floats around online in breast implant associated illness circles, but this actually refers to cancer surgery where healthy tissue around a tumor is removed. To update the terminology and clear up any confusion about capsulectomy, Dr. Luke Swistun explains the definitions and differences between the specific explant procedures. For …
![[The La Jolla Cosmetic Podcast cover art] LJCSC patient after a successful explant and breast lift with Dr. Luke Swistun](https://www.ljcsc.com/content/uploads/2024/07/Copy-of-blog-featured-image-4.jpg)
Watch: Listen: After 8 years of living with 400cc silicone implants, Caroline started feeling differently about them. Later on, seeing coworkers rave about their explants inspired her to seriously consider removing hers. It wasn't an easy decision, as those implants had been part of her for a whole decade. Caroline shares the emotional rollercoaster leading …
