- Oberhöchstadter Str. 8, 61440 Oberursel
- 06171 591 91
- Am Salzhaus 6, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
- 069 920 380 90
One Implant Removal – medical Explantation – is a surgical procedure in which breast implants are permanently removed from the body. During the procedure, the implant is removed; if necessary, the surrounding capsule is treated or removed; and the breast can then be lifted or augmented with the patient’s own fat.
The result: a natural-looking breast without any foreign materials—tailored to your individual wishes and needs.
The reasons vary: a hardened capsule around the implant, discomfort, a defective implant, or simply the desire to live without foreign material. How the breast looks afterward depends on the patient’s own tissue; after a prolonged period of inactivity, a loss of volume and firmness is to be expected, which is why a breast lift or augmentation with autologous fat is often performed at the same time. Whether the capsule is removed as well depends on its condition and will be discussed before the procedure. The consultation takes place in Frankfurt, and the procedure in Oberursel.
Advantages · Who is it for? · Operationsmethode · Procedure · Aftercare Timeline · Risks · Costs · Alternatives · Team · FAQ · Date
Perhaps you know the feeling: What once felt right now feels wrong. The implants that gave you self-confidence for years now feel like a burden. Or your body is rebelling—with pain, stiffness, or vague discomfort.
“After 15 years, I knew: That’s not me anymore. I wanted my natural body back—without foreign bodies, without that constant discomfort.”—This is how one of our patients describes her feelings before treatment.
Having an implant removed isn't about conforming to a beauty ideal. It's about listening to your body—whether it's because you want to return to a more natural state, because there are medical reasons for doing so, or because you simply want to feel lighter and freer again.
We'll be with you every step of the way—drawing on our experience and sensitivity, with the goal of helping you regain your sense of well-being.
Medically reviewed ✓
Written by Dr. med. Zeynep Potente
Board-Certified Specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery
✓ Member of the DGPRÄC (German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons)
EBOPRAS – European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery - ebopras.eu
✓ Over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery
✓ Specialization: Breast surgery and revision surgery
📅 Last updated: August 11, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 on Google · over 300 more reviews on Jameda
✓ Member of the DGPRÄC (German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons)
✓ Our own certified operating rooms in Frankfurt and Oberursel
✓ Back to Nature – No more foreign objects in the body
✓ Absence of symptoms – Pain, stiffness, and discomfort disappear
✓ Lightness – No more weight on your shoulders and back
✓ Security – Old or damaged implants are removed
✓ Custom Solutions – Can be combined with a body contouring procedure or autologous fat transfer
✓ Using Old Scars – Usually no new scars are necessary
✓ Self-determination – You decide what to do with your body
✓ Greater Well-Being – Back in harmony, both physically and mentally
If you want to regain your natural look
Your preferences have changed—you no longer want to have implants and would like to have your natural breasts back. The trend toward a more natural look appeals to you, and you want to feel lighter and freer. Or perhaps you feel that the implants no longer fit your lifestyle—whether due to sports, age, or changing priorities.
If there are medical reasons
You have developed capsular fibrosis—your breast feels hard, is painful, or is misshapen. Your implant is damaged (ruptured) or shows signs of aging. You have nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, or other symptoms that you associate with the implants (Breast Implant Illness). Or you have very old implants (especially those placed before 1990) that should be removed as a precaution.
When is a medical evaluation advisable?
If you have pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, blood clotting disorders, or autoimmune diseases, a thorough preoperative evaluation is important. If implant damage is suspected, we recommend an ultrasound or MRI exam. Female smokers should abstain from nicotine for at least 4 weeks before and after surgery. We work closely with experienced specialists to ensure your safety.
| Aspect | Total Implant Capsulectomy |
|---|---|
| Procedure | The implant and capsule are removed as a single unit |
| Duration of surgery | 2–3 hours |
| Hospital Stay | 2–3 nights as an inpatient |
| Anesthesia | General anesthesia |
| Indications | Capsular contracture, suspected BII, silicone leakage, desire for complete removal |
| Costs starting at | 6.000 € |
We take the time to listen to you. During a detailed consultation, we’ll discuss your concerns, examine your breasts, and develop a personalized treatment plan.
What we'll discuss:
Access via an old scar:
Whenever possible, we use the existing scar (usually in the inframammary fold) to avoid creating additional scars.
Total implant capsulotomy:
The implant is removed along with the entire capsule. This ensures that no capsule or silicone residue remains in the body.
Cosmetic Reconstruction:
After removal, the breast can be reshaped using various methods:
Where will the surgery take place?
In our own certified operating rooms in Oberursel (Oberhöchstadter Str. 8). From preoperative preparation through the surgery to the recovery room—everything under one roof.
General anesthesia: The standard procedure for implant removal.
Our specialist in anesthesiology, Dr. med. Livia Köhler, will personally care for you throughout the entire surgery.
The First Few Days: Hospital Stay and Rest
After the surgery, you will stay at our clinic for 2 to 3 nights for observation. A special support bra will be put on immediately after the surgery. In the first few days, you may experience a feeling of tightness, mild pain, and swelling—this is completely normal. However, many patients also report immediate relief because the weight of the implants is gone. Keep your upper body slightly elevated.
Days 3–7: Mobilization at Home
Starting on the third day, you may take a shower with care. You should wear the support bra at all times. Short walks are important. The swelling will subside each day, and you’ll increasingly feel the lightness of being without implants.
Weeks 2–3: Suture Removal
The stitches are removed after 10 to 14 days (unless they are dissolvable). Most patients feel increasingly comfortable and can resume light office work. The support bra is worn for a total of 4 to 6 weeks.
Weeks 4–6: Return to Normalcy
After 3 to 4 weeks, you will be largely mobile again. Your breast will begin to take on its natural shape. After 4 weeks, you can wear a normal bra again.
Sports, Sun, and the Sauna: A 6-Week Break
Give your body at least 6 weeks off from exercise that puts strain on your chest. Light walks are possible starting in week 2. You should avoid saunas and swimming pools for 6 weeks. Protect the scars from sun exposure for 12 months.
The final result after 6–12 months
The final results of your implant removal will be fully visible after 6 to 12 months—by then, the skin will have fully retracted, healing will be complete, and you’ll be able to fully enjoy your natural breasts.
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks associated with implant removal. We will discuss these with you in detail:
Common (temporary):
Rare:
Very rare:
Important: Many female patients report a significant improvement in nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, or difficulty concentrating following the procedure.
Our experienced team minimizes risks through precise surgical techniques and close follow-up care.
The costs depend on the extent of the removal and any possible combinations.
| Performance | Costs starting at |
|---|---|
| Total implant capsulotomy (implant and capsule) | 6.000 € |
| Implant Removal + Breast Lift | starting at 7,000 € |
| Implant Removal + Subsequent Autologous Fat Grafting | starting at €5,500 (additional) |
| Hospital Stay | 500 € per night, not included in the surgery price |
| General anesthesia | 1,000 €, not included in the surgery price |
| Support Bra | approx. 100–150 € (sold separately) |
Included in the price
In addition to the price
Cash acquisition?
Implant removal is generally a private service. Exceptions:
We will assist you in submitting your application with the necessary documentation.
Alternatives to Implant Removal
Depending on the situation, other options may also be appropriate:
Useful Combinations Based on Distance
The results can often be improved with additional treatments:
We provide honest, personalized advice—only what truly suits you and meets your needs.
You’ll stay in the clinic for 2–3 nights. After 2–3 weeks, most patients are able to return to work, and after 6 weeks, exercise is possible. You’ll see the final result after 6–12 months, once the skin has fully retracted.
That depends largely on your initial situation: If you had small implants, good skin elasticity, and sufficient natural breast tissue, your breasts may look good even without further treatment. With large implants that have been in place for a long time, a breast lift is often recommended to remove excess skin. We can accurately assess the likely outcome in advance.
Generally, no. We use the existing scar (usually in the inframammary fold) as the access point. Additional scars may result only if the procedure is combined with a breast lift (around the nipple, vertically).
BII is a general term for diffuse symptoms such as chronic fatigue, joint pain, difficulty concentrating, skin reactions, or muscle pain, which some women associate with their implants. BII is not a disease recognized by the WHO and is scientifically controversial. Nevertheless, we take these symptoms seriously and conduct thorough diagnostic testing to rule out other causes.
Yes. We perform implant removal as a total implant capsulotomy: the implant and capsule are removed together. This ensures that no capsule or silicone residue remains in the body.
Only in exceptional cases, and only the removal itself—not aesthetic reconstructions. A prerequisite is medical necessity (capsular fibrosis, rupture, chronic inflammation) with appropriate documentation. Coverage is determined on a case-by-case basis; there is no uniform policy.
The ability to breastfeed depends on whether it was present before the original breast augmentation and whether the milk ducts were damaged during the procedure. The removal itself does not usually further impair the ability to breastfeed, provided that the old scar is used.
If you want to restore volume with autologous fat after the procedure, you should wait 6 to 12 months. The tissue must first fully regenerate and stabilize before autologous fat treatment can be performed.
In cases of medical problems such as capsular fibrosis or implant rupture, symptoms usually disappear after removal. In cases of diffuse symptoms (BII), many patients report improvement; however, there is no guarantee, as the causes are often multifactorial.
OP duration: 2–3 hours
Type of anesthesia: General anesthesia
Hospitalization: 2–3 nights as an inpatient
Incapacity for work: 2–3 weeks (depending on the job)
Sport: after 6 weeks
Socially Acceptable: after 2–3 weeks
Scarring: Mostly using old scars (no new ones)
Final result visible: after 6–12 months (skin retraction)
Costs: Starting at 6,000 €
Acquisition of a pharmacy: Removal is permitted only when medically indicated
Follow-up care included: Yes, all follow-up appointments
Write to us! We will be happy to advise you!
